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Author Topic:   Glue residue removal

dscew posted 04-11-2010 02:33 PM ET (US)
I pulled up about 20 square feet of carpeting that was glued to the non-skid floor in my 1978 Cruisers boat. The non-skid is in beautiful condition but it has dried glue residue which mostly turned to a brownish powder when I pulled up the carpet. What's left comes off with acetone, but I don't want to use acetone for the entire floor (fumes and explosion hazard), and I don't want to destroy the gelcoat. Does anyone know of a non-exploding removal method for removing dried glue without sanding?
ConB posted 04-11-2010 02:57 PM ET (US)
This bio solv might be good stuff to try. It is expensive though.
Con
http://www.greenacetone.com/
rtk posted 04-11-2010 03:56 PM ET (US)
Acetone will not destroy gelcoat that is in good shape. I like using acetone because it evaporates very quickly. Any solvent will create fumes. I prefer to use a solvent that evaporates very quickly.
If you are working in an enclosed area you will have to give significant consideration to ventilation for any solvent. Most solvents that will work can create fumes that will go "boom".
A quality respirator is a must also.
Rich
rtk posted 04-11-2010 03:58 PM ET (US)
That stuff look neat Con. Have you used it?
Rich
dscew posted 04-11-2010 04:04 PM ET (US)
DEFENDER has BioSolve for about $15/quart. Unless there's a reason not to use it on gelcoat, it looks like a potential solution that's worth a try. Acetone is just too risky for a large area like this. I'll see if there are any more comments on this thread in the next day or so, then I'll order a quart and post the results here. Thanks for the comemnts so far.
ConB posted 04-11-2010 05:21 PM ET (US)
I bought a quart of acetone recently at the local hardware store for $6.99. West marine has Bio-solv for $18.99 per quart.
I have not used Bio-solv yet, but there is a link to what Practical Sailor has to say about it in the above greenacetone link.
I really would like a less toxic alternative. I do not use much of that kind of stuff any more so it is not going to break the bank using the less toxic stuff.
Con
pcrussell50 posted 04-11-2010 09:34 PM ET (US)
If you find acetone evaporates too quickly, try lacquer thinner. IIRC, it's the same thing, just evaporates slower. It smells the same as acetone, too. Diction warning: I said lacquer thinner, NOT paint thinner. They are not the same.
-Peter
dscew posted 04-13-2010 04:13 PM ET (US)
Got it! There's a great soy-based product called Graffitti remover by Zinsser. Non-flammable and non-toxic, spray it on and let it sit for 15 minutes or so, then scrub with a plastic brush and hose it off. The glue looked like dried contact cement, and this stuff took it right off, no explosions, no fumes. Costs about $15/quart at Menards, I'd expect Home Depot would have it too, but at twice that price.

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Author	Topic: Glue residue removal
dscew	posted 04-11-2010 02:33 PM ET (US) I pulled up about 20 square feet of carpeting that was glued to the non-skid floor in my 1978 Cruisers boat. The non-skid is in beautiful condition but it has dried glue residue which mostly turned to a brownish powder when I pulled up the carpet. What's left comes off with acetone, but I don't want to use acetone for the entire floor (fumes and explosion hazard), and I don't want to destroy the gelcoat. Does anyone know of a non-exploding removal method for removing dried glue without sanding?
ConB	posted 04-11-2010 02:57 PM ET (US) This bio solv might be good stuff to try. It is expensive though. Con http://www.greenacetone.com/
rtk	posted 04-11-2010 03:56 PM ET (US) Acetone will not destroy gelcoat that is in good shape. I like using acetone because it evaporates very quickly. Any solvent will create fumes. I prefer to use a solvent that evaporates very quickly. If you are working in an enclosed area you will have to give significant consideration to ventilation for any solvent. Most solvents that will work can create fumes that will go "boom". A quality respirator is a must also. Rich
rtk	posted 04-11-2010 03:58 PM ET (US) That stuff look neat Con. Have you used it? Rich
dscew	posted 04-11-2010 04:04 PM ET (US) DEFENDER has BioSolve for about $15/quart. Unless there's a reason not to use it on gelcoat, it looks like a potential solution that's worth a try. Acetone is just too risky for a large area like this. I'll see if there are any more comments on this thread in the next day or so, then I'll order a quart and post the results here. Thanks for the comemnts so far.
ConB	posted 04-11-2010 05:21 PM ET (US) I bought a quart of acetone recently at the local hardware store for $6.99. West marine has Bio-solv for $18.99 per quart. I have not used Bio-solv yet, but there is a link to what Practical Sailor has to say about it in the above greenacetone link. I really would like a less toxic alternative. I do not use much of that kind of stuff any more so it is not going to break the bank using the less toxic stuff. Con
pcrussell50	posted 04-11-2010 09:34 PM ET (US) If you find acetone evaporates too quickly, try lacquer thinner. IIRC, it's the same thing, just evaporates slower. It smells the same as acetone, too. Diction warning: I said lacquer thinner, NOT paint thinner. They are not the same. -Peter
dscew	posted 04-13-2010 04:13 PM ET (US) Got it! There's a great soy-based product called Graffitti remover by Zinsser. Non-flammable and non-toxic, spray it on and let it sit for 15 minutes or so, then scrub with a plastic brush and hose it off. The glue looked like dried contact cement, and this stuff took it right off, no explosions, no fumes. Costs about $15/quart at Menards, I'd expect Home Depot would have it too, but at twice that price.