Foam removal

[JeffSmith]

This is probably a stupid novice question, but here goes! I am trying to remove the foam inside the bow, under the seats. I spent about two hours today trying to get it out, and managed to make a huge mess of just the little bit I got removed. I tried sticking just about anything I could find into it trying to break it up, but it didn't work out so well. Anyone have any advice? I know that has to be a more efficient method of doing this! Also, I am wondering what purpose that foam serves? I am assuming it helps to add strength to that area where the seats are? (The reason I am trying to remove it is so that I can unbolt those two front seats before I get the boat painted)

Thanks in advance for ANY help!

Jeff

PS I took pictures to try and put on here, but they are too big I guess. I am not computer savy enough to know how to make them smaller, so, if the pics might help you give me advice, email me and I can send the pics that way.

EDIT: email addresses not allowed for your protection.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Foam removal

the floatation, is to help keep the boat from totally sinking, in and emergency. i like to use a sawzall, with a long blade.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Foam removal

Yup, the stuff is pretty tuff.

I ended up using a big butcher knife and cut hunks of it out, don't know of any way to do it without making a huge mess.

And yes it is there for flotation and to add strength.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Foam removal

A drywall saw works well too.

 

[newbster]

Re: Foam removal

I hear a pressure washer will make short work of it but have not tried.

 

[JeffSmith]

Re: Foam removal

Next silly question is what weight of foam should I use there?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Foam removal

I used a claw hammer and a drill with a fairly sharp paint stirring attachment to get most of it into manageanble sized chunks... got to be careful and not get tooo carried away with the claw on the hammer though...

 

[phwrd]

Re: Foam removal

just a thought but. . .

I also have some wet foam to remove, unfortunately, it is in a hard to reach location. I was wondering if there might something of a chemical nature that might do the trick. Acetone, Alcohol, Gasoline by the drop ?

Shoot, i use carb cleaner with a spray tube to disolve wasp nests and kill the wasps. This is a man made substance, got to be something to "undo" it.

Something that will dissolve the foam without eating up the fiberglass ?

Any body out there who may have tried something like this ?

Thanks.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Foam removal

it's cross-linked polyurethane foam. There's nothing I can think of that would take it apart without having a significant chance of doing the same with the polyester and styrene resin that's holding the rest of the boat together...

 

[phwrd]

Re: Foam removal

Really ya'll,

There has to be some better way to get rid of wet foam than a chainsaw, axe, hatchet and motorized wire brush.

We all need to spend a little time thinking about this, we could market something if we can figure out this one....

peanut butter oil, H2O2, Bottled Ether, Nitro Methane, Apple Vinegar, cheap vodka ?

Something out there has to dissolve this stuff?

( and save me lot's of elbow grease, saw blades & nervous tension about sinking the boat with an electrical toot in my hand )

 

[watermellonI]

Re: Foam removal

I used a big pry bar, stay away from the chainsaw, I read here someone used a WEEDWHACKER, which sounded like a good idea to me if its in an enclosed space and tough to get at, either way your gonna make a big mess gettin it out but I d go with the weedwhacker.

You could wide up in the hospital if ya start trying different chemicals on it I think I d stay away from that idea completely.

 

[salty87]

Re: Foam removal

phwrd, careful with that idea. sounds like the fix would be worse than the problem. if you even could get it to dissolve, you'd have a hull-full of some nasty stuff to get rid of properly.

weedwacker sounds like you'd have a million little pieces flying all over to clean up.

try to get it out in as big of chunks as possible...a few choice criss-cross cuts with sawzall, cut the underside as best as you can, and leverage with a pry bar should pop it out in bigger blocks.

 

[BMOLCHANY]

Re: Foam removal

A sawzall would be my tool of choice.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Foam removal

Believe me I thought about it... and there's nothing that I can come up with that would dissolve the foam and not have a very real chance of also making it's way through the hull to the ground... note that I'm a chemist and work in polyurethane chemistry for a living...

Really ya'll,

There has to be some better way to get rid of wet foam than a chainsaw, axe, hatchet and motorized wire brush.

We all need to spend a little time thinking about this, we could market something if we can figure out this one....

peanut butter oil, H2O2, Bottled Ether, Nitro Methane, Apple Vinegar, cheap vodka ?

Something out there has to dissolve this stuff?

( and save me lot's of elbow grease, saw blades & nervous tension about sinking the boat with an electrical toot in my hand )

 

[phwrd]

Re: Foam removal

Thank you for your quick and knowledgeable responses.

I have a science background, not nearly extensive as yours. Just can't help but think that if man can make it, man could destroy it. I realize that the foam is close in structure the epoxy & fiber underneath it and so anything that will dissolve one, will most likely dissolve the other.

Oh well, guess it will be a saw, hammer and chisel.

Thank you all, once again for your help,