Removing Rhinestones

Artemia

Artemia

New Member
I have done a bunch of searching on the forum search and I can't find a thread on removing rhinestones from a dress.

I assume (rightly so) that this has been discussed in the past, and would appreciate it if someone could either A. refer me to the thread or B. tell me their solutions for removing rhinestones without harming the fabric below them.

The rhinestones I will be removing from the dress are Korean, to replace with Swarovskis. Google has not been of service!

Help!
 
Cool, thanks, but all of those posts talk about not saving the dress (essentially just needing the rhinestones) and I want to restone the dress with better stones.

I would appreciate any help that can be given!
 
Depending on the fabric and the method of stoning, I have tried with some success. One method is to heat the fabric from the back with an iron until the glue softens and then *gently* pick the stones off. This may or may not damage the stones or the dress.
 
True, the gowns w/Korean stones are very often hotfix, and so can be coaxed off more easily with some heat application. Obviously you should test in an inconspicious area first to make sure it doesn't turn into a gooey glue-y mess. The *really* crappy Korean stones applied half-heartedly generally peel off with minimal effort and may or may not leave their foil backings behind. Easy to stone over that.
 
Rhinestone/Glue Removal

I have a dress that i stoned myself (it was a gradual process of adding more stones before every competition). My dress and its stoning job has turned out quite nicely, i think.

However, live and learn. There are some stones from my first time that dont look too good. i'd like to remove these and replace them, if possible. These stones are completely covered in glue. Is there anything i can use to remove these stones and the dried glue from the dress?? The glue i used is standard jeweling glue from the arts and crafts store.

I dont want to ruin my dress, so i thought i'd post here to see if anyone has a proven method that works. thanks! :)
 
I think there is yet another thread on the stonework and removal. Although, dip a Q-tip or some cotton in Finger Nail Polish Remover, dap the rhinestone "back" from the inside of your costume. Pull the stone off with tweesers? Worked for, beware, you'll need to soak or wash your costume due to the fume from the nail polish remover.
Also, this works on GEM TAC glue - I don't know about other glues. Good luck.
 
3wishes said:
I think there is yet another thread on the stonework and removal. Although, dip a Q-tip or some cotton in Finger Nail Polish Remover, dap the rhinestone "back" from the inside of your costume. Pull the stone off with tweesers? Worked for, beware, you'll need to soak or wash your costume due to the fume from the nail polish remover.
Also, this works on GEM TAC glue - I don't know about other glues. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I am the man who invented this Q-Tip/Acetone method for the first time. I should have applied for a patent. I should point out that there is no reason to wash the dress afterward since the fume is neither too harmful nor disagreeable. After the acetone treatment, ask a man to pull the stones off the fabric with finger nails. I don't think that a pair of tweezer works well because some stones don't want to come off easily.
 
Also if the stones comes off and glue remains you can glue over the old glue and stones will stay on. I have also glued over foil backs that remained on gown and that worked as well. Of course you have to restone exactly where the old stones came off.
 
good to know. I do plan on glueing in the same spot, but my these rhienstones are EVELOPED in glue... so i am going to have to remove the whole lump of glue (rhinestone and all).
 
TinyDancer109 said:
good to know. I do plan on glueing in the same spot, but my these rhienstones are EVELOPED in glue... so i am going to have to remove the whole lump of glue (rhinestone and all).
Click to expand...

The lumps of glue will come off relatively easily by pulling them with nails or tweezer since they are already softend by the acetone treatment. If you want to recycle the stones, place them in acetone in a clear jar and let them sit overnight, dain acetone, place the stones on a towel and rub them. You will have used stones that are sparkller than new. I used to recycle several pounds of stones in this way for my coach. To do this, you need substantial amount of acetone so you buy it from a paint store. Nail polish solution is usually diluted so it does not have the strong dissolving power. Don't ever take a large amount of acetone near flame (Many gas stoves have pilot flame, which is enough to cause an explosion)..
 
Would be cool if you could do before and after pictures...Sound like you have a project on your hands.

I restoned one of my gowns that just had to be washed and lost tons of stonework. At first I felt overwhelmed at the task , but one section at a time it actually worked out and great feeling of sucess!!

Good Luck!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top