Removing 3M 5200

C

Chivita

New member
Have you ever tried to remove something that you glued together with 3M 5200 (or Boatlife Lifecaulk)? Once this stuff dries, it is tough to remove but there is a way! I cannot claim to have originated this idea, but it works and I thought I should pass it on.

Find an old flexible/thin bladed 1 inch wide putty knife and grab your trusty propane torch. Using this method on a new putty knife will ruin the temper so beware. Heat up the blade enough that it is almost hot enough to burn/scorch wood and it will cut/slide through the 5200 like butter! Be carefull, the cut sealant will reattach itself if it comes back in contact with what it was just cut away from.
 
Chivita,
I haven't used this stuff but a couple sailboat restoration buds have tried a product called DeBond2000.

Not sure but I think it's an aerosol. They said the stuff worked. Try DeBond2000.com.
Good luck,
Gene K.
Boatless in PA - sailboats sold tooo
 
I recently had to remove a battery charger which I had affixed to the inside of the hull with 5200, foolishly thinking I would never have to remove it. I was able to wrap a length of stainless wire around and behind it and then twisted the tails around a set of pliers. It took some pulling, but eventually the wire worked like an old time cheese slicer and cut through the 5200. Interestingly enough, once I had the charger off, I removed the 5200 residue on the hull with my fingers, just like rubber cement.
Al
 
Another trick that might work, similar to Moose's wire idea - twisted fishing line.

Take a long length, and tie it into a loop. Grab hold of each end, and twist it into a simple braid. Stick a finger through each end, and saw it back and forth between two bonded objects. The braid will cut better than just straight fishing line.

Haven't tried it on 5200, but I've used it on many other bonded surfaces and it works well.
 
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