Gelcoat safe solvents?

SFT2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
77
I'm in the middle of pulling off the pinstripes on the hull that hide the color changes in the gelcoat, and having a bit of a problem. For the most part I'm getting all the old adhesive off with the stripes, but some of them leave sticky crap behind on the hull. What solvents are safe for gelcoat, but will disolve the glue? I'm using a heat gun set to about 140 degrees to loosen it up and it's pulling off fairly easily, but since there's 4 stripes on a 17 foot hull I have quite a bit of work to do.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

You need a product called "GOOF OFF", SFT. Dissolves old glue, doesn't affect gelcoat.

I think I got mine at WallyWorld.
 

SFT2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
77
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

That's on the list of things to pick up tonight, I'm just hoping it's strong enough to get 18 year old goo off. And I didn't want to dive in with MEK not knowing what it'll do. I'm guessing it'll clean off the goo, gelcoat, resin, glass, old wood... ;)
 

catsman

Recruit
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
3
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

One of the orange oil citrus based products will also work. Pure essential Eucalyptus oil is also very good as dissolving glue bases that mineral turps or other solvents cant. Then Acetone used sparingly can also work and not affect gel coat but can dissolve all waxes etc so the area will look dull unless polished.
 

SFT2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
77
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

I'll pick up some acetone, too. Need it anyway. I'm not concerned with the wax on it now since I'm having to buff out oxidation anyway. I'm going to wax everything once I get that done. I'm halfway up the port side now. Might have this done by Thanksgiving ;)
 

impman

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
17
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

Denatured alchohol is the perfect stuff for stripe glue removal..!!!!!
 

ebear

Seaman
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
57
Re: Gelcoat safe solvents?

try wd-40 it will remove some adhesives
 
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