Last Updated: May 01, 2020     Views: 1016

Stephen Koob's "Conservation and Care of Glass Objects" page 115 states: 

Acetone is very effective in reversing UV adhesives. Glass joined with a UV-adhesive or a super glue (both in the acrylate family) can be very difficult to get apart, even though acetone dissolves them very quickly. The problem is getting the acetone to the glue. Ceramics are easy because they are porous and permeable and the acetone readily gets to the glue. In a glass join, the only way the acetone can get to the glue is from the very edges of the breaks. So I suggest double-bagging (using clear plastic bags, like good zip-locks) the object and pouring some acetone in. Put it all in a tupperware container and leave it overnight. Cushion the outside if it is a large piece, so it doesn't collapse with more damage. The joins should come apart, and you probably only need to do a quick rinse with more acetone.

If you are working with plate glass, it may be impossible to get anything broader than a one-inch square join apart, for the reasons mentioned above. 

 

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