Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

[ShawnQ]

I am trying to remove the adhesive that was left on the fiberglass deck and floor of my boat after removing all of the carpet.<br /><br />I noticed several different solvents at Home Depot and Lowes that were called 'Adhesive removers', but I am worried about penetrating the Resin that is coating the fiberglass and wood of my sole.<br /><br />What kind of a 'household' material can I use to get this job done, without hurting the resin?<br /><br />I am also worried about the solvent penetrating and soaking in because I will be applying Durabak in the forth coming week, and dont want to have any reactions or adhesion problems.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Shawn

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

a 4" Grinder, with a Wire Cup-Brush mounted on it will clean that stuff Right Off, Without Damage to the Gel......

 

[rjarreau]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

yep Bondo is right !!! I just finished my 1998 19 foot promaster center console boat. removed all the carpet and glue,tried the solvents but the wire cup brush on a 4" grinder, did the entire boat in under 4 hours.also replaced a section of floor and resined the entire boat 4 gallons. then shot white gelcoat 4 gallons and spotted a light grey gelcoat, looks better then the factory boats on the inside.

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

I used a Dual Action sander with 40grit...you need this anyway to spray the durabek

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

I will try 40grit (it appears to come up very easily already...just a pain to pick at it little by little). If that takes too long, I'll give the wire wheel a try.<br /><br />Rjarreau, <br /><br />Do you have any pics of the process for gel coating/webbing?<br /><br />Any pics of your restoration?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />shawn

 

[rjarreau]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

yes i do, i have pics of before,during and after, but none of the process of applying the gelcoat.and webbing, but if you need any advice i will be more than happy to give you a detailed step by step process.i am going to make a web page of the process when the time allows.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

Is there any type of a solvent I can use on the adhesive to loosen it from the glass, and then scrape the majority off of it?<br /><br />I want to do that, and then sand it to get the leftover with 80grit or so.<br /><br />I am not having much luck sanding right over it because it is just filling up the sand paper.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[rjarreau]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

nope solvent makes a real mess. and may soften the fiberglass resin. I am sure they make something but man it will consume a good amount of time. get yourself a 4 in side grinder from harbor frieght for 25.00 dollars and a wire cup brush and you will have the boat done in about 3 or 4 hours. I am almost finished posting all the pics on webshots and will post it tonight. But do your self a favor and get the wire cup brush, it sure will save alot of labor and money on solvents.. good luck

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

Rjarrau,<br /><br />I actually ended up buying some 'goof-off' and it seemed to loosen the adhesive a little bit. I then hit it with a wire brush (handheld), and it got a lot of it off.<br /><br />From there, I started sanding it with 40grit (have to sand anyways to apply the durabak coating). I'm about 1/4 done with it, not too bad.<br /><br />I still need to find a way to get the engine bolts off so that I can coat the durabak underneath them. I dont have access to a engine hoist, so this may be interesting. I may have to rent one...<br /><br />I am trying to get this thing sanded, coated with durabak, and reinstall everything by Friday (this weekend!!). I am ordering the new rubrail from bluewave tomorrow.<br /><br />here's a quick pic of what the 1/4 that I've done looks like, waiting on durabak (and haven't cleaned it, just swept it off).<br /><br />

<br /><br />Does that look sanded enough for a coat of durabak? It is 40grit. I basically just sanded the excess glue off, and a little bit of resin (not too much). There are low spots where there is still some glue, and still some gelcoat, but the majority is sanded. I think this stuff should stick fine with it like this as long as I clean it well.<br /><br />Mine, nothing like fiberglass sanding!! I'm itching like crazy!<br /><br />Take care!<br />Shawn

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

That is clean enough....with as thick as the durabek is, it will cover minor imperfections....the goal is to get it to 40-60 grit so the durabek can adhere to it......so far looking good!

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

Hopefully today I can get the rest of the floor and transom done.<br /><br />The front deck will be a snap. The gunnels are the hardest part because of the glass that they used. It is extremely heavy glass, each strand in the weave is about 1/4" thick, maybe more.<br /><br />I'm about to call durabak and check on the status.<br /><br />Will keep you all posted!<br /><br />Shawn

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: Removing Carpet Adhesive w/out damaging glass/resin

Napier [ www.napierenvironmental.com ]makes a product called ''Foam Off'' specifically for removing underlay glue.Foam-Off is non toxic, and won't burn your hands, nor damage substrate.