Glue on artifacts......

[Swims with Beaver]

I have the chance to buy a guys collection of artifacts that his grandfather found in the 1910's, 20's and 30's. The grandfather used glue around that time to glue them to a board. The glue has turned orange due to age. Not sure if it's wood glue, hide glue or something else. If it would come off I could get them for a steal. 200 points and 14 celts. Even the celts have glue on them. I thought about even using a heat gun to warm the glue. Any ideas?

 

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[wells]

maybe hot or warm water soak, maybe steam. nail polish remover works on paint but still leaves a discolored spot. You could try on the least desireable piece first.

 

[joshuaream]

I thought there was a post on this topic a while back, maybe you can search to see if anyone had any good tips.

Personally, I let them soak in hot water for a while and usually that softens the glue up. Occasionally if the material is really glossy (obsidian, flint ridge, etc.) I can just peel it off while dry with a pair of needle nose pliers. A museum restorer I know uses freezing temperatures (one of those canned key board dusters turned upside down) to freeze waxy type coatings museums used to love coating things with.

I'd start with water before going to any solvents or chemical cleaners.

 

[olroy70]

Goo Gone works good on things I have used it on, but havent tried points........

 

[The Grim Reaper]

I got a bunch of Points a while back that had all been glued to cardboard and I soaked them all in water with just a little bit of acetone in it and it all came right off after soaking for about an hour. Don't put a lot in the water because it doesn't take much, but it will soften the glue right up and it peels off very easily.

 

[flintdigger]

I agree try warm tap water out of the sink before trying anything drastic. Post back again after using the warm water. If that does not work someone might have a better idea.

 

[Swims with Beaver]

Thanks to all the replies everyone. I talked to the guy this evening and he's gonna give me a couple to work with before I even think of aquiring them. I'm gonna pick them up on Tuesday 12/13. I'll try the hot water method before trying anything else. Thanks again guys.

 

[Swims with Beaver]

I went and picked up a few broken pieces off the guy. I tried to use almost boiling water but it wouldn't work (it just smeared around and when taken out of the water it became instantly hard). I smelled the glue and it was still very pungent (it definately was not wood glue, more like rubber cement or something). I was going to give up rather easily but tried to use a paint brush cleaning solvent, kinda like a paint thinner. It came off very easy after a couple hour soak and took off no patina. Kind of in shock how easily it comes off. I dried it off and looks like there was never any glue on it at all. Thanks for the comments on this post and if I make the purchase I'll post a few pics. Thanks again.