There HAS to be a better way...

[croSSed]

I'm at my wits end. In my Avenger project I have come across an issue that I have to resolve: The removal of old, hardended carpet glue from fiberglass. I have not come up with an acceptable method for doing this yet. Right now I am removing it by using a 36 grit sanding wheel on my angle grinder. But this is VERY time consuming and messy, and does not remove the glue as well as I would like to see. Also, I'm going through sanding discs at a higher rate than is acceptable, and good sanding discs are expensive. As an example, it took me about 30 minutes to sand off the old carpet glue in a space no bigger than about 4' x 2'. At that rate it will take me at least 8 hours of uninterrupted work JUST TO REMOVE THE BLASTED GLUE! And who knows how many discs that will take. I've looked at adhesive remover at the hardware store, and the best ones say "do not use on fiberglass." The other ones I don't want to buy and have them not work.

So, what's the secret to removing the old, hardened glue?

TG

 

[Bondo]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

The Pro's I know use a cup Wire Brush on an Anglegrinder.......

It's Messy, but effective.....And it doesn't Tear up the Glass, unless you stay in 1 spot too Long....

 

[Mark42]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Try using a heat lamp or heat gun (NOT an open flame like propane torch) to soften the glue then scrape it off.

Most old contact type glue will soften with some heat. Just keep an open flame out of the boat.

 

[imported_DANA1]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

get some general purpose adhesive remover from 3m soak a rag and get scrubbin if you let the glue soak for a few minuts it should be easy "lots of clean rags to wipe up mess" good luck

 

[JasonJ]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

If the above stuff doesn't work, you can try a grinding wheel intended for metal. I have not found anything that it won't grind off, it won't wear down on you either. You would need to take care not to grind into the fiberglass though, it is very aggressive. The plus side of the aggressiveness is it will prep the surface for whatever it is you will be replacing the carpet with. Good luck...

 

[croSSed]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Thanks for the replys, guys. The heat gun trick is what I'll try next. I have one and may as well use it. I also have a quart of the adhesive remover you mention, dana. I'll try that, too since I'm probably not going to use it anywhere else. Thanks again!

TG

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

i use a wire wheel on a angle grinder. mask, goggles, long sleeves.and not allowed to come inside till i've hose off, and change clothes.

 

[atticus3600s]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Try some acetone and a sharpened stiff putty knife.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Try some acetone and a sharpened stiff putty knife.

I'd go with lacquer thinner but otherwise, ditto.

 

[croSSed]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

i use a wire wheel on a angle grinder. mask, goggles, long sleeves.and not allowed to come inside till i've hose off, and change clothes.

That's my mode of operation when I grind fiberglass to prep for a new bond. Thankfully the weather is getting nicer and I can move the boat out in the driveway to grind so I don't get 1/4" of glass dust all over everything in my garage.

TG

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Your goal is to create a surface for the next layer of glue. You should be removing glue not fiberglass and the process should have less dust.

Look at the surface and what is below the glue? It is not necessary to remove 100% of the old stuff to apply the new surface (carpet or vinyl).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

agree with Bob, i just get the worst of the lumps, new glue will fill the voids.

 

[hard-3]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

I just used a 5 inch wire cup wheel in my side grinder. it worked just fine with light pressure to cut the glue and strands 0f carpet backing that was left. If i used heavy pressure it got into the glass .
Jeff

 

[croSSed]

Re: There HAS to be a better way...

Part of the reason I want to remove ALL the old glue is that I'm thinking of putting down a gel-coat surface instead of carpet/vinyl. Any remaining glue will keep the gel-coat from hardening. I have decided NOT to use carpet, but I might use vinyl flooring. In which case, what I'm getting here is it isn't necessary to remove all the old glue.

TG