Glue Spots

Sorry gary. I’ve not heard or tried this. So like you I am waiting for those that have.

-- Jerry, Measure 10 times cut once. Set in the foothills of the Smokey's

You could try a sample piece ny putting a bead glue along and remove it with different methods. Then put the finish you are going to use to see what works.

That way you’ll know for sure what will work with the wood you are using. You didn’t mention the type of wood you are using.

One method I like is to wait for the glue to get gummy and then peel it off.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I just did this yesterday. It works fine for most applications. I had white oak that I did mine on and it’s a little harder to see on a “blonde” wood. Walnut and darker woods it works great. You may have to move the project around in different positions in the light to see the glue spots for a more golden wood (like you would if you were examining the finish). For grainy woods that have a lot of surface porosity, sometimes glue gets in it and it’s hard to find. Mineral spirits will show it.

Make sure that the mineral spirits are completely dry before you apply your stain, dye, poly, whatever. It doesn’t take long to dry, I usually help it along with an air hose.

I put my mineral spirits in a cheap-o spray bottle in the shop and spray it on. That way, later if I get stain on my hands or whatever, I just have a quick spray bottle clean up… works great.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

GaryK – I am using QS Red Oak.

Steve – Thanks for the info and the tip. I’ll try it out.

-- Garyb6, “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” - Albert Einstein

Thanks for this tip…. I have just started a desk project using White Oak and will have to try this one….

-- Chris

Sometimes just darkening the wood with a damp cloth will help pop out any excess glue spots. Once you discover them you can then sand them out prior to staining. I am just a simple man. :)

-- Tim from Iowa City, IA

trace coat!

Charles Neil swears by it and after i tried it i do to. use a water based or alcohol bases stain or dye NEVER OIL. that will show the glue spots because the dye will not stick and will show up. if you use a water based it will also raise the grain for you so thats done. then you sand it all off and once it is all off you know that you are done sanding. last if you have any glue joints yellow glue is water based so it will agitate it and if it has any swelling to do it will do it then and thats also taken care of. just a trace coat of putting on a little water based dye it all that you need. hope this helps.

I use mineral spirits. Works like water but doesn’t raise the grain (though I tend to use water to raise the grain too so maybe just going with one shot solution will work)

Glue jumps out at you when you do this so you know you need to scrape there.