Glue?Paint Removal

[Jasmid53]

I'm redoing the interior of my 16 and I need to remove the glue residue that held the head liner on. I tried using CitiStrip, which works really well where the underlying glass mat had been completely saturated with epoxy making a glass smooth surface. With a glass smooth surface the residue just wipes off. Where the mat was not fully saturated the paint and stripper gets between the fibers and needs something less viscous to clean it up. Lacquer thinner works well and I bet acetone will do the job as well. Problem is I don't want to die from breathing those toxic fumes. I tried a fan and wearing an old CPAP mask and machine which worked a little better but not good enough.

So for those who have refurbished your interiors what and how did you do? The best and safest way would be to separate the deck from the hull. I don't want to do that amount of work.

[bruce]

Neoprene or other rubber-based adhesives are often used to mount fabrics like headliners. I'd try non-polar solvents. Naphtha is common, but if mineral spirits work, you'll probably find that the most pleasant to use.

If it works, but too slowly, you might add a little lacquer thinner, say 5-10%, to speed things along. Lacquer thinner has more aromatics than mineral spirits or naphtha (which has some), and may be more effective as a solvent for this residue, but it is more toxic. The goal would be to balance the effectiveness of the solvent blend with an acceptable level of exposure. I would guess that acetone would be too polar, and evaporate much too quickly to effectively wet/swell/dissolve the residue. Any tricks you have for improving the dwell time of your paint stripper, covering with plastic for example, may useful here as well.

Unfortunately, all of these things are toxic to some degree. In close spaces, a good respirator with the right filter would be a good idea if you can't get adequate ventilation.

[Jasmid53]

Thanks Bruce.
I'll research the proper filter for my respirator. And try some other way to force air into the cabin.

[bruce]

Last thing I want to do is bust your chops about respirators. They can help, but aren't perfect, and a pain to work in. Try the non-polar solvents. Relatively low toxicity, and hopefully will target your residue effectively.

Good luck with your project!

[Jim in TC]

When removing a glued-down carpet in our Sun Cat cockpit (!) I used a product called Goo Gone for some of the stubborn bits of remaining glue. Granting that this was outside, I think this is lower in toxicity than some other products. I found it at, of all places, the supermarket in the cleaner aisle.

[bruce]

Excellent idea Jim. I think they also have a gel version which could be a big help in working overhead. Basically a blend of non-polar solvents, with some orange peel thrown in for marketing.

[MacGyver]

You need a mask that is used to paint cars, called a Organic vapor mask, cartridge type, and  has a prefilter usually.
If you have weak lungs, I would practice wearing it, and do a little work to see how it breaths for you. Then look on sailrites website sailrite.com, and look for a headliner adhesive. You dont have to buy from there, but that will tell you what to use. I believe it is made by 3m. I did mine and many other boats this way, still alive, no issues on any of the boats.

As for prep, I cleaned with Lacquer thinner, ensured a clean surface. This was used with the mask. and a few breaks. I took breaks too while doing headliner, after each piece. 4 stages.

Mac

[crazycarl]

goo gone works great and it won't harm the surface.  i've even used it to remove glue residue that inadvertently  landed on a walnut rifle stock without damage to the finish.

have you tried alcohol?  not too aromatic, unless you use something honey jack

i wouldn't try pbr though, too toxic. 

have you met bob 23? 

nuff said. 

[brackish]

goo gone works great and it won't harm the surface.  i've even used it to remove glue residue that inadvertently  landed on a walnut rifle stock without damage to the finish.

have you tried alcohol?  not too aromatic, unless you use something honey jack

i wouldn't try pbr though, too toxic. 

have you met bob 23? 

nuff said.

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.

[bruce]

+1 LOL.