[Nhcoll-l] Damage from hot glue on shells

[Thomas Labedz]

Lena

A quick internet search for undoing hot glue turned up isopropyl alcohol applied with a cotton swab as a method to get the glue to release from objects.  Might I suggest finding some expendable mollusks (hobby store, not collections) and hot gluing them to similar surfaces. Then trying some isopropyl alcohol to see if/how it works for removal and any damage it might cause.

Thomas E. Labedz, Collections Manager
Division of Zoology and Division of Botany
University of Nebraska State Museum
W-436 Nebraska Hall
900 N. 16th St.
Lincoln, NE  68588-0514
402/472-8366 (p.m.,Zoo.), 402/472-1607 (a.m.,Bot.), fax 402/472-8949
tlabedz1 at unl.edu   www.museum.unl.edu




From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Lena Hernandez
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 2:46 PM
To: NHColl
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Damage from hot glue on shells

Afternoon All,

During the course of inventory in one of our exhibits I discovered that a previous curator glued (probably craft store hot glue)  all of the shells on display to a painted Styrofoam base.   My question for you is what to do about it.  Is it likely that any damage that is going to happen is already done?  Or do you think that the glue may degrade and further damage the shells?  The shells have been on exhibit for at least  2 years and will likely be on exhibit for several more. If I do need to pull them, what do you think would be the best way to remove the glue with the least amount of damage to the shells. If you can point me in the direction of specific resources I can cite when trying to convince others at the museum that this is important, that would also be much appreciated.

Lena Hernandez
Collections Manager/Registrar

Museum of Science & History
1025 Museum Circle
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904)396-6674 x212
lhernandez at themosh.org<mailto:lhernandez at themosh.org>

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