Old hydro turf removal

[manolocross]

Im gonna take off the old dry rot hydroturf and it was glued down using contact cement. Any tips on getting it off and getting the contact cement off? Heat or chemicals that won't ruin the gel coat? I'm gonna put on new blacktip mats

 

[BMANN06]

Plastic scrapers heat gun and goo off automotive. And a dozen pints.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i use brake cleaner and a scrubbie pad, works wonders.

just spray some on the glue, let it sit about 3 seconds, then scrub scrub scrub it will gel up into little balls... wipe up the balls with paper towel, then repeat, about 95 times. whole process should take about 35-45 minutes 1 can of brake clean, 2 scrubbie pads, and 3 beers,

 

[BMANN06]

Listen to Leary I'm at least a dozen he can do it in 3

 

[68ragtop]

Listen to Leary I'm at least a dozen he can do it in 3

Maybe your just focused & drink better beer? Or Maybe Leary is more focused......? I'm not sure, I guess it depends on what part of this takes precedence after the first one is gone.

 

[68ragtop]

Seriously though, is oven cleaner too strong for the gel coat? Years back, we used to use it to remove the adhesive left behind from window tinting glue. Works incredibly well. I would be temped to try it on a small spot that gets re-covered. Many times I use "wax & grease remover" (From the auto paint industry) for getting off decal glue, that kind of thing. Its an evaporating solvent that breaks down mild glues, but not so strong it hurts cured paint. Might be a little too mild for that much work tho...

 

[manolocross]

Thanks for the tips fellas ... Going to try that today!

 

[Dr Honda]

Depending on the type and brand of cement... I've found it very hard to remove. BUT... Gel is VERY tough... so you can try Acetone, IPA, lacquer thinner, and mineral spirits.

With that said... it may turn it into a gooey mess. I would try to remove as much as possible with "Mechanical" methods... and then try chemicals to clean up what's left.


Just an FYI... if you can get your hands on hexane or Chloroform... that will strip it. BUT... they are "controlled" chemicals, and very nasty to work with. When I was a chemist... The only thing I could use to clean out my melt/flow rig was Chloroform. (it will devolve almost any glue or thermal plastic)

 

[Spimothy Leary]

one thing that I failed to mention is that I generally use a plastic scraper or metal is fine too, your working on an area that will be covered up again anyway so scratches won't hurt anything... anyway... try and get 90% of the built up glue off first, then use brake cleaner & scrubby pads... so in my experience, brake clean, or any adhesive remover will be mostly useless until you get it down to the last remnants of the stubborn stuff, then it is very effective.