Livingston Putty Scrape?

[Mike in Tac]

I have a 1991 14' Livingston. When I got it, it came with a bow cover and windshield. I recently took those off so I could have more room to move around. The lip of the bow/gunwales has a thick layer of putty/caulking that was used (along with about 20 rivets) to hold the bow cover down. If I were working on a old rowboat, I'd just take a chisel and hammer and scrape all that old stuff off. Given that I'm dealing with fiberglass and plastic, I figure that I need to be a little more gentle. Does anyone have some suggestions for how to get that stuff off without doing too much harm to the boat? Thanks a lot, MIT

 

[gm280]

Have you tried a heat gun and putty knifes? If you used some control and worked slowly, maybe that would work... IDK because I can't actually see what you're dealing with. Post some pictures and we all can think of other better methods...maybe!

 

[Woodonglass]

Fiberglass it a lot tougher than you might imagine. Hammer and chisels work on it much like wood. Grinders with 24 grit resin coated discs also work well and make quick work of such things. The Heat Gun might be a great tool as well IF the material is such that it would respond to the heat. As also mentioned pics always help us to give the best advice. It's hard to KNOW what you are really dealing with if we can't SEE the actual project.

 

[Mike in Tac]

Thanks for the HEAT suggestions - worked like a charm. My next post and project will include pics. Thanks again, MIT