In a Dither over Interior Trim Removal

[64etype]

I'm installing the interior on my car using Weldwood Landau Top high temp contact adhesive. The clean up instructions on the container say to use Toulene or Xylene. I use Xylene to soften and clean brushes that have cured adhesive on them for weeks. Not as nasty as MEK in terms of fumes. I've used it to clean off fresh adhesive from interior surfaces and it doesn't seem to damage the hardened clear coat paint. On the other hand, I haven't let it sit on the surface for an extended time. Anyway, it does softened old adhesive....

[rfs1957]

I tried everything known to mankind with no success, until a secret Forum poster whispered in my ear that I the Jag came with an in-built tank full of the necessary product.

The proper mask, decent ventilation, soaked into a rag left on top of the glue for 10 minutes, and - Bingo, the glue comes off totally in rubbery wisps and flakes, and leaves unmarked paint.

PS - no, it's not engine-coolant, and it's not windscreen-wiper wash.

[Julian.P]

I use many Evo stik products including contact adhesive, Evo stik 191 adhesive cleaner is the best product for removing glue, ensure that it's used in a well ventilated area with correct PPE.

Julian.

[rfs1957]

My understanding was that this Evostick 191 Remover product also damaged paint ?

If not then the whole debate was a waste of time and that is indeed what I should have been using.

Please advise.

[mgcjag]

Hi Rory....thats the info i got from a few adhesive manufacturers...evostick is not suitable for automotive.....having said that im sure its used quite a lot as is the common choice if you want a contact adhesive.....but having found out...i like you went for an automotive option

[rfs1957]

Not sure we aren't at cross-purposes ; as a glue I'm sure Evostick is great, wholly appropriate, like any other contact-adhesive, and I haven't used an alternative "automobile" product because I'm way off fitting anything back yet.

My quandry was just how to remove the old stuff ; either the 191 Remover doesn't affect paint, in which case it is THE answer, or the stuff in our big tanks remains the best solution I've found to date.

[mgcjag]

Hi Rory...yes my mistake...you wer talking about removal.......but re useing evostik as a trim adhesive it is not recomended......some of the glue people i spoke to said that it can leach through the vinyl.....especially the high impact evostick....thats why all the trim shops use an automotive glue

[64etype]

I just finished removing all the wood tack strips from both seat to replace them with rubber/poly windshield tack strip prior to upholstering. I had used both upholstery glue and rivets to apply the wood a couple of years ago. I used Xylene on one seat and gasoline on the other for a comparative test. The Xylene dissolved the adhesive virtually immediately, but when I rubbed off the residue, some paint came off with it. The gasoline was slower to act and took a little more rubbing with a wetted hand towel to get the glue off. It also took a little paint with it, but not as much. This is rattle can paint over a primer on the seats. Didn't break through to the metal, but probably would have if I'd kept rubbing (for both solvents). I didn't care as I can easily repaint the seat frames.

[Julian.P]

I wouldn't use 191 on fresh paint as it probably strip, it's ok on old paint paint if carefull and not left to soak, we use old towels one with cleaner another for drying the surface, try in a inconspicuous area first, another product is Huttons D'Solve its less aggressive than 191 and ok on painted surfaces however takes a little longer at removing adhesive, we use Evo stik products on a variety of coverings, carpets, vinyl's, vinyl flooring, leather and laminate's with no issues.

Hope this was of some help, Julian.

[mgcjag]

Hi Julian...evostik maka a wide range of adhesives.....but dont be tempted to use there solvent impact on interior trim....even in there own technical spec they warn against useing it on vinyl they say that after several weeks the plasticiser in the vinyl will 'bleed' into the adhesive making it soft and sticky. The bond will then fail.

[mark10337]

I can highly recommend dry ice blasting. You could clean the entire interior of adhesive residue in under 20 minutes with no nasty chemicals or scrubbing. I did the whole passenger footwell in 4 minutes. Comes off a treat.

There are a few mobile units around that will come round and do it for you, or drive it along to a local place that does it.

Dry ice blasting leaves no media in the car as it evaporates, leaving just the adhesive and dirt residue to brush or blast away with compressed air