How to remove rubber carpet backing and glue

[Clint KY]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove the 30 year old rubber backing and glue from the metal panels on the side of the boat?

I tried a heat gun and a scraper but it did not seem to work at all. I was afraid to use too much heat as there is foam flotation behind the panels. I am not adverse to harsh chemicals if they accomplish the task.

 

[Grub54891]

I used a plastic scraper, gently but quickly. The backing came off rather easily on mine,I wasn't to worried about getting it perfect. When I installed the new carpet it came out nice and smooth. I have the foam flotation also.

 

[Clint KY]

I used a plastic scraper, gently but quickly. The backing came off rather easily on mine,I wasn't to worried about getting it perfect. When I installed the new carpet it came out nice and smooth. I have the foam flotation also.

A plastic scraper is not going to touch this stuff. I was using a wide chisel and a heat gun and not making a dent. And I am not re-carpeting. I am painting the metal sides smooth and the floor I am adding some grit for traction or using one of the new deck coatings that have a texture to them. I will have no carpet anywhere in the boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

40 grit sandpaper.

 

[Grub54891]

Ahhhh... I see, the glue is on panels. It might be hard to get off then. Some coarse sandpaper? Are the panels riveted on,or easily removed? Might be an option to remove and replace or just turn them around. Sounds simple, but it's not. It's a boat....lol

 

[IllesheimVet]

Paint Stripper?

 

[tmcgarry]

I used a gallon of Goof Off. I sprayed it on and used a 5-1 to scrape of the glue. Polished the aluminum up with 3M sanding pad. It looks like new.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I thought just ye plaine ol mineral spirits would melt most carpet glue.... course, they might not of use just any old glue in there. Worth a try though.

Rick

 

[Volphin]

Whatever you use, do a small test area first.

 

[sublauxation]

I had decent luck with aircraft stripper and Zinser adhesive remover (both are pretty wicked so make sure you have ventilation) but there were some areas I could only get with a 1 inch metal scraper and heat gun. T

 

[Clint KY]

40 grit sandpaper.

This is a consideration if all else fails. As someone else noted I may get some of the flap-wheel discs.

Ahhhh... I see, the glue is on panels. It might be hard to get off then. Some coarse sandpaper? Are the panels riveted on,or easily removed? Might be an option to remove and replace or just turn them around. Sounds simple, but it's not. It's a boat....lol

The panels are riveted and are not flat so no reversing them is possible.

I used a gallon of Goof Off. I sprayed it on and used a 5-1 to scrape of the glue. Polished the aluminum up with 3M sanding pad. It looks like new.

I will look into Goof Off and the Brush Cleaner someone else suggested.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I hope to start this later today but right now I am going fishing.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Btw since you are painting you may not need to remove every trace if glue as long as you get a smooth surface... I would use a palm sander instead of a flap wheel.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Make sure any gas fumes are ventilated before using power tools... Running blower constantly would be a good idea.

 

[Clint KY]

Make sure any gas fumes are ventilated before using power tools... Running blower constantly would be a good idea.

I will be doing this outdoors.

Btw since you are painting you may not need to remove every trace if glue as long as you get a smooth surface... I would use a palm sander instead of a flap wheel.

The sanding would be a mechanical removal not a finishing effort. The flap wheel in 40 grit would be like a flexible grinding wheel.

I tried some Citrustrip that I had on hand, and it took the rubber leaving, the glue after a short soaking. Citristrip is a non-toxic non-voltile paint stripper I had purchased for removing the paint on a poly canoe. I wanted something gentle so as not to eat the plastic canoe but still remove the camo paint attempt the PO had done. I will put some on and let it sit the recommended time to test it today.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Gas fumes are heavier than air and will settle in the bottom of the bilge... Indoors or out, ventilation is still an important concern.

A very small amount of gas fumes at the right ratio to air can literally blow you to pieces... Just be careful .... We want you around to post finished pics.

 

[Clint KY]

I will be careful no matter what I use to get it off. I will get a picture of what I am trying to accomplish tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[bassman284]

I used a gallon of Goof Off. I sprayed it on and used a 5-1 to scrape of the glue. Polished the aluminum up with 3M sanding pad. It looks like new.

I'm not familiar with Goof Off but have used Goo Gone successfully. Not this particular application but other situations with sticky stuff that wouldn't leave.

 

[Clint KY]

Goof Off is a line of Removers that work on paint and such while Goo Gone is similar but has products particularly aimed at glue type products.

I think I need something more aggressive than either of them as they both say to remove excess residue before using the remover. Later I will post some pictures (still dark here) of what I am trying to remove. I really do not want to use a mechanical process to remove the rubber backing AND then a chemical process to remove the adhesive. I really want to find a chemical process that will do both.

 

[Tnstratofam]

I've had pretty good luck with MEK. I don't know how the rubber backing wil fair, but I know it doea a good job on carpet glue. As was mentioned before try it in a small section first.

 

[NYBo]

Acetone.