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Lisa asked: I spilled coffee on my glass-topped coffee table awhile back. Some of it seeped under the glass top, which has now become stuck to the wood. I have tried drizzling all-purpose cleaning liquid between the glass and the wood, but that hasn’t done the trick. I also tried threading dental flow between the glass and the wood, but it just kept breaking. Any ideas? Thank you!
The design of your coffee table may require some creativity with this process, but if the coffee was able to work between the glass and the wood then it’s a safe bet you can solve your problem by following these steps.
You Will Need:
- WD-40 with smart straw
- Glass cleaner
- Clean rags
Steps to Remove the Glass:
- Spray WD-40 into the crack or space between the glass and the wood, using the smart straw for accuracy.
- Wait several minutes to allow the WD-40 to work.
- Begin wiggling the glass in place, using a side to side motion instead of trying to push or pull it up. This will allow the WD-40 greater penetration and lessen the risk of breaking the glass.
- Repeat as necessary. The WD-40 will break down the sticky, coffee “glue” and eventually free the glass top.
- Once the glass comes up, wipe the wood down with a clean rag. Make sure you clean up all of the original spill. The WD-40 will not hurt the wood.
- Use a second clean cloth and glass cleaner to clean the glass before replacing it in the table.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If the design of your table allows it, you can work a thin piece of plastic between the glass and the wood to speed the process. A credit card or similar item will work well to separate the two without damaging either one.
- Lay a towel or newspaper on the floor to cover and protect carpet or other types of flooring vulnerable to stains from the WD-40.
Thank you so much! It worked like a charm to remove a glass stuck to the inside of a table. You deserve a great big round of applause. Thanks again!
After reading many suggestions on this subject, I tried the WD-40 suggestion. I have, for several years, been trying to remove a circular piece of plate glass that my mother-in-law put on the table to protect a lamp from scratching it in the 1960s.
Nothing has ever worked until I tried WD-40 and a thin putty knife (I used a wide one) and a rubber mallet. Little by little, while continuing to apply the WD-40 through the straw, it loosened the bond. In my case, the varnish or shellac had adhered to the glass. Slow is the way to go; pushing too much may break the glass. I believe the WD-40 contains fish oil, so it will not damage the table. After removing the glass, just wipe up the WD-40 and let whatever is left be absorbed into the wood.
Richard
What is an effective way to remove a glass-plate sitting on top of my round dining table with a diameter of 4 feet? The glass plate is heavy and cut just right to size, leaving nothing for me to have a firm grip on. Over the years, dust, food crumbs and moulds have settled in the gap between the glass and the table, making it very unsightly
MK,
Try using a suction lifter. Just be sure to get one that can handle the weight of your glass. There is one at Home Depot that can lift 12 lbs (you may be able to double the weight if you use two of them; ask at the store) or you can find heavier duty ones online, such as this one at Wholesale Glass & Supplies that can lift up to 250 lbs. You could also call your local glass supply store to see if they carry any heavy duty ones.
My wife has a coffee mug stuck on her bedside table. It’s really hard to take off. I have tried WD-40, but it hasn’t worked yet. Any suggestions?
Dave,
There is another method in the guide How to Separate a Lamp Stuck to a Glass Table that you could try instead. Good luck!
I have a glass vase that is stuck to my glass top vanity. Any suggestions?
Latisha,
This is the guide you need: How to Separate a Lamp Stuck to a Glass Table. However, in this case you may want to start with the water as well as heat since its glass on glass. Good luck!
Yes! This worked well with a glass plate used as a potted plant drop tray that stuck to my solid mahogany table. The surface only suffered a few scratches. Better outcome than what I expected.
Put very hot water (cooled for five minutes after boiling) on it.
Let it sit a couple minutes, then gently twist.
Worked like a charm after trying WD, which didn’t work because I couldn’t get any under the glass it was stuck so tight.
Hi, pour hot water on glass surface?
Amazing! My glass top came off quickly and easily. The WD-40 even removed the sticky residue from the rubber grippers that held the glass top. Wow!
This works like a charm!
I have a similar problem, only mine does not involve glass. I spilled a cup of coffee on my wood table. On the table is a ceramic native american vase. After wiping up the spill, I evidently did not move the ceramic vase and it’s now solidly stuck to the table. I’ve tried drying the table with the vase in the sun, dental floss, slowly twisting it. I simply can’t turn or twist the vase. Any thoughts on what will release this vase from my wood table? The vase itself has sort of a flattened round bottom, so you really can’t put your fingers under it.