hot glue problem

I need some help removing hot glue from wicker. Here's the story..25 years ago my then 85 yr old neighbor gave me her white wicker Easter basket that she remembers getting at the age of 8. Beautiful, and a cherished item by her and then by me. But...I loaned it to a friend of mine who wanted to use it as a center piece for her candle selling party. She brought it back showing me how she had "improved" it by glueing pink and white silk flowers and bows around the edge plus a lot of the grassy stuff that you put on potted plant soil.
My heart sunk when I saw it. I hope my neighbor isn't looking down and seeing what has happened to something she left in my care.
so suggestions on removing these upgrades! ?
Thanks! jo

Just a thought...nail polisher remover? I'd try it on a part that doesn't show to start. Put it on a Q-Tip and see what happens.

Or even Goo Gone?

This message was edited Aug 14, 2008 11:48 AM

Usually if you lift the edge of the glue drop it will pull off with a little bit of strength..

Don't you just love it when someone wants to 'improve' YOUR treasures....

I wouldv'e kicked her behind, big time. When you ask to borrow something you don't change it because you might like it, that's way, way wrong.

This may sound crazy, but if you put the basket in your freezer for a day or 2, (or probably just the fridge...) it might loosen the glue to the point where you can just pick it off gently w/o damaging the wicker.

That hot glue doesn't seem to hold up very well outdoors, and after a while it just breaks loose, so maybe mimicing the night cold temps, by putting it in the fridge or freezer would work.

You know, you're right. I'd try the cold thing. Sometimes if you rub your fingers back and forth it'll form into a ball, also.

After trying the aforementioned , and if they don't work, perhaps use a hair drier to soften the glue to the point where it might be able to be lifted off with a minimum of damage to the wicker. The sad part is that no matter how careful you are there is bound to be damage to what I am assuming is the white painted surface of the wicker. A pox on that nasty woman.

Thanks for the great ideas. Before I came to my senses, and asked for help and in my fit of anger; I've already pulled enough paint off the wicker that it'll now need refinishing. But, with these ideas I bet I'll be able to minimize any further damage.
Going to start w/freezing. I'll be a great way to keeping it out of sight for a day or so while I go from the boiling point to a calmer me.
did i mention the pink lace, glued neatly every 1/8" around the basket..freeze it..calm down. did i mention how ticked off i am..freeze it; calm down..don't look at it.. Deep Breath. exhale....

LOL ! Try LaMaze breathing !

While the basket is in the freezer, repeat this mantra:

Tafoo Lywas Owah, Tafoo Lywas Owah, Tafoo Lywas Owah, Tafoo Lywas Owah, Tafoo Lywas Owah, Tafoo Lywas Owah and suddenly, you'll hear it clear as a bell:

Oh What a fool I was! Oh What a fool I was!

Next time someone needs a basket, look up a dollar store for her.

Best of luck restoring your basket to its pristine quality.

Sylvain.

Hot glue will melt at 80 degrees. I would put it in the sun for a while and see if that will soften the glue enough to remove it without removing the paint. Most people think that hot glue will stand up to heat, but it won't -- it will remelt.

Karen

Even easier !

A lot easier!! I don't know sacvalley, Does she know how mad you are? I would be furious.

Take her outside the city gates and stone her !

Actually, there is only one description for this "helpful" borrower. "Stupid is as stupid does."


Karen

Sylvain, thank you for the mantra; have said it now a million times.
Drum roll please, the results are in...Freezing was a cool idea and the bigger globs did pop off; but I warmed right up to the hair dryer idea; the hot glue does re-melt! Problem is is that while holding the dryer next to the basket and pulling off the glue, my hand also melted. So will continue on w/a glove on.
I told the "helpful borrower" this morning that the basket was in the freezer & that I'm trying to get the flowers off..she say's "make sure you save'em for me"..I changed the subject before I lost it. I should have just hang up and changed my #.
say the mantra, breathe deep; pet the cat; put this friend on the D list.

A before and after picture would have been interesting. I can't imagine, understand, comprehend or figure out what could go through the 'mind' of an individual like that. "make sure you save them for me" ? Like I'm going to destroy your belongings, but give me back the means of destruction. Glad the remedies are working. Have some chocolate and think of a cooling spring in the mountains.

Balvenie, I like the way you think: "Have some chocolate". Theobromine is a great thing. I buy these little miniature chocolate bars of premium assorted Swiss chocolates at Costco in a bag or 24 ounces. The bag sits on my desk and once in a while I reach in and grab 1 or 2. A bag lasts me a couple weeks and it helps me keep my sanity.

Now Sacvalley, if the flowers you remove are silk, you should show propper consideration for her precious fake blooms by ironing them flat flat flat flat. I'm sure she'll appreciate the gesture. Don't get any of that glue on your ironing board or your iron, though. That would only exacerbate the problem.

Take care,
Sylvain.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "The Basket Case" brought to you by Daves Garden.com

Will SacValley be able to remove the hot glue and other obnoxious embellishments so rudely applied to her prized woven-wonder ?

See the drama unfold, as a horde of chocolate buzzed plant addicts take the law into their own hands and seek retribution, turning this once peaceful hamlet into an estrogenic battlefield...

Will Martha Stewart be successful in bringing closure to this debacle, or will Judge Judy put an end to this atrocity at the expense of a once valued friendship?

This and MORE in our next thrilling installment in the continuing series of Arts and Crafts Wars, brought to you by the folks at Daves Garden.com

And what about Naomi?

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Elizabeth of Munsworth plots her revenge against her arch-nemesis, Cruella Hossenpfeffer III. That's what we'll see in the next installment of As The Basket Recovers. Will Dr. Phil have to get involved? I think I'll have one of them there chocolates.

Sylvain.

SacValley: I'm having buttered popcorn while waiting for the next chapter:)
Sorry about the basket; hope you can do most of the repairs using the methods recommended here.
Kiska

The "helpful borrower" is taking me to see Judge Judy for the return of her silk flowers and ribbon; Martha says the only way to refinish the basket is to unweave it, Dr Phil will be giving "help borrower" therapy to help understand her need to destroy her friends belongings. And I am entering a 6 week recovery program in AZ for my chocolate addiction.
(the only way I see to remove the grassy stuff that is imbedded in the weaving is going to be by sand paper).

Here's the victim. And as you see it's just a basket, nothing really that special, just it's age and it's roots. Like Sylvain noted that "helpful borrower" could have just as well gotten one at $ tree.
When it's all said and done, it's still just a little basket that has sat around year after year; but it's a splendid little basket to me because it was something my friend and neighbor had kept for over 70 years.
I'm past mad; just sadden by the knowledge that a "friend" had no regard.
**on to chocolate ice cream***
jo


This message was edited Aug 16, 2008 4:11 PM

The other side..it's that grassy stuff that's the worst. Most of the flowers are off and the lace removed. I haven't touched it today..waiting for it to heal-ones-self.

"nothing really that special" never was the point. It has special meaning to you, and it really is a lovely basket. The "decor" might not look too bad on a $ tree basket, but thats a different story isn't it. Chocolate ice cream with a dollop of French Vanilla and a cherry is said to have great restorative qualities.

SacValley,

What is the grassy stuff stuck on there with? Is it also hot glue or something else?

Karen

Karen, I think the grassy stuff was put on with a spray glue because it's Really stuck and is almost imbedded. Your idea of remelting works well; just hot on the fingers! I'll pop off the rest of the flowers w/your method.

I just wanted to pop in to say that I really feel for you. It's one thing for an accident to happen but to intentionally do something permanent is just soooo wrong. I'm not sure if you will ever speak to your 'friend' again but I just got the idea that you could ask her what she used to adhere the grass. If you can find out the product they may have a customer service department to call. There might be something that will help dissolve the glue. The main thing would be finding something that would dissolve the glue without destroying the paint. It may be worth a try though.

That is so terrible, I am sorry about it. She should be told how wrong she was, only thing. I don't think she would be interest in what she did.
I learned a long time ago you (I) don't loan any thing to anyone if you value it.

Lacquer thinner maybe ???

SacValley,

Or fingernail polish remover. Either the polish remover or the lacquer thinner should be tried in a small spot to start with. First, though, I would check with the craft stores and/or art stores for a special remover for spray-on glue.

After you get the last of the flowers off, if there is still a residue of hot glue you can continue to clean that up with the hair dryer and Q-tips.

Karen

Good grief, I'm sending hugs your way Jo. I am so sorry hun. She should be told about it.
LOL my friend picked me up yesterday and we went to this little "village" called Pickles Gap and picked up some rocky road fudge, it's really gooey and delicious, so I'll be seeing you in AZ for the chocolate addiction.

I, being a guy, am partial to three things: duct tape, WD40 and GooGone. Now, duct tape could be used to remove the grassy material and some of the little bits left behind, much like removing lint from clothes.

WD40 would of no use here but the GooGone oil may just remove the glue without harming the paint. I get mine at Dollar Tree, in little 4oz (approx.) bottles. You don't need gloves to handle it. I would use an old facecloth to apply it and gently rub at the glue. It smells kinda lemony and it's great to remove the glue left behind when you peel a sticker. Hey, for $1 you could give that a try.

Sylvain.

Guess What! the Goo Gone works!! after it sits for a minute or so, the glue softens and is able to be peeled off. Sylvain has saved the day.
Thank you ever so much for the suggestions and for everyones kind and funny words.
I'll still have to repaint the basket..but all's fine.
hugs to all, jo

Well, I'll be darned. Another use found for GooGone. I am so glad to hear that it worked.

Sylvain,

You need to add zip ties to your list. I have those three you listed plus zip ties as my essentials.

Karen

I'll be darn, I would've never thought of GooGone. Right on, I'm so glad you got all of that crap off, Jo.

MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED !

Someone needs to call Martha Stewart and tell her that her services and/or advice are no longer needed...and that's a GOOD thing.

Well, of course twist ties and zip ties are always in ample supplies in my tool box. I just didn't mention them.

I'm so glad the GooGone worked. So few people know about that stuff!

I wish your basket and you recovers from the ordeal. We wouldn't want you to become a basket case. LOL. I couldn't resist that one, sorry.

Sylvain.

I am so glad for you and your basket. Your day will be better now.