The 'E' Type Forum

Hopefully an easy question but can anyone recommend a good adhesive remover or suchlike? I am stripping the interior prior to putting in Koolmat and re-trimming, and the PO has glued the underfelt to the floor, so when I have taken it up, the surfaces are all furry! I need to get it down to the metal to ensure a good surface and to remove all surface rusting. I have tried white spirit which is pretty slow but wondered if there is another more effective alternative.

Thanks.

Malc, without knowing what adhesive was used please take this as a possible not definite solution. First job I had was working for Evode, makers of Evo-stik and the normal cleaner used to get rid of the glue was MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone). You can get a 5 litre can for about ?20 from various sources.

No promises but worth a try.

Geoff

Another option is standard cellulose thinners, I've had good results with that on old contact adhesive - but I strongly recommend using a decent organic vapour respirator if doing so.

Here in the States, we have a product called Goof Off, which uses chemicals that aren't quite as volatile as ketone-based solvents. It works very well for dissolving old contact adhesives, but I'm afraid you're in for a messy job. And, as Geoff says, a good respirator is a must. During my aeromodelling days in my youth, I didn't think twice about using nitrocellulose dope in confined spaces, and I think I'm missing a few brain cells (hopefully the weak ones...).

Malc,

If as you state in your post you want to get it back to bare metal, I've found these work well. They will remove seam sealer, paint, filler, glue and surface rust.They are available from Toolstation for about ?5.00 each. Poly Abrasive Wheel



Simon

I found Halford's Tar Remover to work very well - basically it softens the glue to a point where it balls up when rubbed.

Thanks for all your suggestions - I think I'll grade the options, starting with the tar remover from Halfords (I'm going there anyway to get some Waxoyl), then if that doesn't work, I'll try the more nuclear option of MEK (I note 5 litres is available on Ebay for around ?24 incl postage - mask on, doors and windows open), and if all else fails, I'll get the wire brushes out. I also note on Ebay that Goof Off is advertised from the US ($6.49 plus $12.75 postage), plus Evo Stick do an adhesive remover - ?5.50 for 250ml, which is probably just MEK but branded.

Halford's tar remover sounds a lot like Goof Off. The big advantage is that it evaporates slowly, so the solvents will have more time to do their work.

I won't mess with MEK, since the health risks are so great, and because it evaporates too quickly. Its vapours also have the annoying ability to locate the nearest pilot flame

Well I can report that Autoglym Tar Remover was quite good but needed a lot of it and some elbow grease, while MEK stripped the remains off in a trice, along with all the hairs in my nostrils and anything else that got in its way. Moeregaard is right - it's powerful stuff. Only use in the open air or with a strong wind blowing through the garage. Mind you, wind in the garage is not usually a problem..........

The other option is 'Panelwipe' (used to prepare vehicle before painting) which you can buy from any paint supplier or eBay. You can get 'slow' and 'fast' versions although the former is more applicable to removing glue. If you want something more aggressive try searching on 'Tar & Glue remover' - it is sold in 5 litre cans. Still needs to be used with caution but very effective and not as dangerous as MEK which is highly toxic if inhaled and can even be absorbed through the skin.