How to Open Nail Glue

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Nail glue containers may get stuck due to nail glue leaking out and sealing the cap. If you have a stuck nail glue lid, there are some simple strategies that might help you get it open. If you have a brand new nail glue container, you may need to puncture the tip with a pin. As you try to open your nail glue, be careful since it is a chemical agent and it can cause burns on your skin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Loosening the Lid

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  1. Fill a cup or small bowl with hot tap water. Don’t use boiling water as this may melt the glue container. Then, place the glue container into the water and let it sit for 5 minutes. When the time is up, use a fork or spoon to fish out the glue tube and try to unscrew the lid.
    • If there’s a lot of glue around the cap, you may need to leave it in the water for longer or try another option.
    • You can also try adding a few drops of dish soap or 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar to the water. [1]
    • Make sure to wash the cup or bowl and utensil thoroughly before using them for food after you do this.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Open Nail Glue
    Vinegar is not a strong solvent, but it might be enough to loosen a small amount of nail glue on the lid. Dip the tip of a cotton swab into white vinegar and use it to wipe along the edge of the glue cap. Let the vinegar sit for 5 minutes. The, try to unscrew the lid and open the nail glue. [2]

    If you don’t have white vinegar, you can also try red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Open Nail Glue
    Dip the end of a cotton swab into the acetone and then wipe it along the edge of the nail glue lid. Let it sit for about 3 minutes and then try to unscrew the cap.
    • Make sure that the nail polish remover contains acetone as this is the active ingredient that will dissolve the glue .
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Open Nail Glue
    If the glue container has lots of glue on the outside of the lid, you may also dip the top of the nail glue container into a small dish of acetone. Hold it there for about 15 seconds, remove it, and then let the container sit for about 3 minutes before you try to unscrew the cap again. [3]

    Warning : Never use your teeth or try to wrench a nail glue lid open if it’s stuck. Nail glue is a chemical agent that can cause burns, so never put it anywhere close to your mouth.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Puncturing the Tip of a Nail Glue Tube

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  1. If you have a container of nail glue that has no premade opening in it, then you will probably need to puncture it. Check the instructions for opening the nail glue if any were included.
    • You may also check the manufacturer’s website for information on how to properly open the nail glue.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Open Nail Glue
    Most nail glues only require a tiny opening that you can make with a pin. Remove the cap from the glue, locate the center or the glue container’s tip, and insert a pin into the center of the tip. Then, remove the pin from the container.
    • Some nail glue products come with a lid that will puncture the top for you when you screw it on and this special lid will also keep the glue from drying out. [4]
  3. Nail glue dries out quickly, so always make sure to replace the lid when you’re not using it. Screw the lid on tightly to ensure that the nail glue will not leak or dry out.

    Tip : You can also place your nail glue in a resealable plastic bag to protect it from drying out. Place the closed nail glue tube into the bag, and push the air out of the bag before closing it up.

  4. If you cannot puncture the tip or if it is the kind of tip that you need to cut off, get a sharp pair of scissors and cut straight across the tip about 1 ⁄ 8  in (0.32 cm) from the end. Hold the tube so that the tip is facing up when you do this to prevent glue from leaking out. [5]
    • Discard the tip that you cut off and place the cap on the nail glue tube to keep the glue from leaking or drying out.
    • This is not ideal for some types of nail glue containers since cutting off the tip can make a large opening in the nail glue. However, if the nail glue container indicates that you need to cut the tip off to open it, you can try this option.
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  • Question
    How do you use nail glue?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    Remove any polish from your natural nails, wash them to remove oils and dirt, and buff them gently to help the glue adhere better. Add a tiny dot of glue to your real nail and another to the fake nail. Put the fake nail in position and keep firm pressure on it for 10 seconds to help the glue set and press out any bubbles. Wipe away any excess glue around the edges of your nails with a cotton swab.
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  • Question
    What’s a good substitute for nail glue?
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    Staff Answer
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    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you don’t have nail glue, you can make your own by mixing one part white or clear craft glue with one part clear base coat. This mixture can take up to 10 minutes to cure on your nails. Super glue will also work in a pinch, but use it sparingly since it can damage your natural nails.
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  • Question
    How do you get dried nail glue out of the bottle?
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    wikiHow Staff Editor
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    If only the nozzle is clogged with dried glue, try cutting it back with scissors or pushing a pin or nail into the tip of the bottle. If the glue has thickened in the bottle itself, you might be able to soften it by letting the closed glue bottle sit in some hot water for a few minutes. If it’s totally dried out, however, it might be time to get some new glue.
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      Warnings

      • Keep nail glue in a cupboard away from medications and other cosmetics. There have been cases of people mistakenly putting nail glue into their eyes due to confusing it with eye drops.
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      • Be careful not to spill any nail glue onto your skin as it can cause severe burns. Keep nail glue out of the reach of children and pets as well since they may try to open the container and get burned by it. [6]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/accidents-injuries-and-poisonings/safety-in-the-home/super-glue
      2. ↑ https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/accidents-injuries-and-poisonings/safety-in-the-home/super-glue
      3. ↑ https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/accidents-injuries-and-poisonings/safety-in-the-home/super-glue
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGsVkcn91CQ&feature=youtu.be&t=32
      5. ↑ https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96315754.tip.html
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5011344/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If the cap on your bottle of nail glue has gotten stuck on with dried out glue, don’t worry. You may be able to save it with simple household products. Try submerging the bottle in hot tap water for 5 minutes to soften the glue, then see if you can open the lid. If that doesn’t work, wipe the edges of the lid with a little white vinegar or acetone-based nail polish remover on a cotton swab. These substances can dissolve the dried out glue that’s holding the lid in place. If all else fails, dip the lid in acetone for about 15 seconds, then wait 3 minutes for it to soak in before trying to open it again. Never try to pry the cap off with your teeth, since you could accidentally get the toxic glue in your mouth. Keep reading to learn how to puncture the tip of a new bottle of nail glue!

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