Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Cleaning up purple plumbers glue
I had a leak in my bathtub and purple plumbers glue was spilled in the tub. Do you know of anything that will remove it.
Eozabetjh Downen- Castroville, Texas
2003
If it was purple and not blue, it was a primer/cleaner and not glue. If this was a fiberglass tub, It is probably resurface or replace. I guess you could always have the whole tub an artists purple sweeps. If it is a porcelain tub, try a cloth that is damp with acetone ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! . The fumes will be quite strong and they are not good for your body, especially strong or long doses. It is highly flammable/explosive, so small or very small amounts at one time with ventilation. You need a new tub and faucets don't you. Here is a good reason.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2003
2003
Hi
It sure sounds like the plumber was doing some PVC cementing because the PVC primer is normally colour coded blue in order that inspectors can check to see if the primer was applied (properly). The PVC cement is normally grey.
If you have an acrylic, sic. plastic tub, BAD news. Don't even try to remove it with solvent. But if your tub is the normal glazed ceramic, then you'll have to use some strong (clear) solvent. If, if, if you can latch onto any clear PVC primer, OK ... if not then, as said, you'd have to try using a powerful aromatic solvent.<
Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
1st, there are a few colors of primer. Either of these can, and will stain. I have also seen a few plumbers that will pre-mix their primer with the cement. Its wrong..but, I've seen it. If the stain is fresh, use plumbers putty on it! Just roll, and rub the putty over the stain. I have found this to work on tubs and showers great! If the primer stains painted metal, it must be refinished, or covered.
Sean ScottFinishing plumbers - Fredericksburg, Virginia
2003
We have a porcelain bath tub and my wife bought a new shower curtain which is red. I think the moister in the room from showers has caused the red to stain the outside of the tub. I have tried bath cleaners and Soft Scrub [affil links] with no improvement. Anybody have an idea how to get it off?
Larry Jacobsonhomeowner - Pittsford, New York
2005
A. I just used Goof Off ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] on the cheap 12 x 12 vinyl tiles. It has been there for about 7 years and I have a tub that has a large amount of purple primer. This took it up almost instantly.
Misty Frame- New Carlisle, Ohio. U.S.
January 22, 2015
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