Adhesive Removal - How to?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I put some adhesive backed non-skid pads in the motor well years ago, and they are now starting to deteriorate and peel back.

Any thoughts on how to get the sticky gunk off the gelcoat without hurting anything?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[san juanderer]

Rubbing alcohol removes the adhesive.
Have used it on car paint to remove tree sap and decal adhesive, at first was very leary about using it. But does not damage the auto paint.

 

[SEA3PO]

I have used Goo-Gone several times and it works super...leaves nothing behind and works fairly quick..

Joel
SEA3PO

 

[AstoriaDave]

Rubbing alcohol works most of the time. In a worst case, get some of 3M's Windshield Adhesive Remover. About as toxic, fumewise, as gasoline. Wear thick nitrile gloves, do not breathe the vapor. Ace, NAPA, WalMart, other sources:
https://www.upccodesearch.com/upc/051131036185

 

[SENSEI]

when I was removing the names and numbers off the sides of the boat there was a lot of sticky residue. I asked my detailer what he used to take it off and he told me to use gasoline. I did and it worked great.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!

 

[thataway]

I recently had to remove a 3M clear "mask" which was put on the front cap of my RV to prevent paint damage 10 years prior...It was the hardest adhesive I have had to remove. I also could not damage the several thousand dollar paint job (just on the front fiberglass cap) I tried all of the various solutions. The final result was a cleaner called "Zep Heavy Duty Citrus Cleaner" from Lowes, spayed on first, then spray on WD40. A few places I had to loosen the film with steam--and I there I used "plastic" razor blades to lift the film. That solution removed any trace adhesive--Any of these should mandate the use of heavy Nitrile gloves. (I have some 9 mil that work well)

No damage to the paint, and all adhesive removed.

 

[My IRA]

If nothing above has worked, try 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner Part #08984, it will work.

 

[bridma]

Goo-Gone and/or a hair dryer has worked for me.

Martin.

 

[srbaum]

My go to is denatured alcohol. Works for all sorts of adhesives.

 

[ssobol]

One thing to watch for is the effect of rubbing too vigorously. Even if you have a solvent that cuts whatever, rubbing the surface too hard can leave a mark that shows where the whatever was removed. This is particularly a problem when the solvent is not all the good at removing the material and the natural tendency is to rub harder.

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

We use a product from Essex - a urethane adhesive cleaner - part # U - 421. It is very friendly - solvent free, non toxic, and biodegradable. Although a lot of friendly cleaners don't work as good as their toxic cousins - this stuff works great. Not cheap though.

Regards, Rob

 

[colbysmith]

WD-40 may do the trick also.