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  Removing, Softening 3M5200 Sealant

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Author Topic:   Removing, Softening 3M5200 Sealant
Eagleman posted 04-17-2011 07:08 AM ET (US)   Profile for Eagleman   Send Email to Eagleman  
Any ideas out there for removing or softening 5200 sealant that has been used in the installation of the legs of my radar arch? I'm considering converting my existing fixed radar arch mounting into a folding arch configuration. Presently each arch leg is fastened to the cabin side with four 1/4-inch bolts, hardware, individual back up plates, and, finally, bedded in what appears to be 5200 sealant. I'm anticipating that the 5200 bond may be a tough seal to break after all mounting hardware is removed. The mounting plates on each leg of the arch are approximately 5-inch diameter. Even though the amount of bedding material appears to be very thin, the combined amount of surface area and adhesion with four base plates is a concern.
jimh posted 04-17-2011 08:36 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
Russ--I believe there are some solvents which will soften or weaken cured 3M5200. I do not have first-hand experience with any of them. Here are links to products which claim to be able to remove cured 3M5200:

Anti-Bond 2015
http://www.paxtonco.com/sales/Anti-Bond.pdf

Marine Formula De-Bond
http://www.marineformula.com/index.html
http://www.marineformula.com/client_comments2.html

Phil T posted 04-17-2011 11:01 AM ET (US)     Profile for Phil T  Send Email to Phil T     
To break the bond, remove the bolts and try slicing through the 5200 between the arch and deck with strong fishing line using a sawing action.

Consider using two dowels and wrap the line around them. Think of a garrote.

contender posted 04-17-2011 11:04 AM ET (US)     Profile for contender  Send Email to contender     
I heard one time to use a hair dryer to heat up the 5200 then use a plastic scraper. I have used a plastic scraper to remove, with lots of elbow grease...good luck
Sourpuss1 posted 04-17-2011 04:03 PM ET (US)     Profile for Sourpuss1  Send Email to Sourpuss1     
I have used an inexspensive bendy serrated (bread) knife. I protected the surrounding surfaces with duct tape and went to town with the knife. Ended up using a small hammer to drive the blade through the bead of 5200. Be careful.
wezie posted 04-18-2011 08:18 AM ET (US)     Profile for wezie  Send Email to wezie     
If the release agents work, you might be able to get more of the 5200 out of the non-skid. If we cut or scrape it, some will stay in the non-skid.
If you pull it up, you will most likely pull the non-skid off the deck.
For this job, I would at least try the release agents.

May take a bit longer, but???

Either way. Good Luck!

contender posted 04-30-2011 05:36 PM ET (US)     Profile for contender  Send Email to contender     
I'm currently redoing my large boat and removed the t-top and the rocket launcher. They were both put down with 5200 and could not budge them after removing the bolts. I purchased 3 metal paint scrapers 1 inch. I then sharped them on my grinder, I started on one leg at a time and used a hammer to pound the scraper between the console and the t-top leg. I would attack it from three sides a little at a time, finally it would pop up. After I removed the seat and t-top I found that Goof Off would eat the 5200 up. I put the goof off in a small sprayer an soaked the 5200, it would come up like paint remover with a little scraping. I was able to get all of it off with just a little elbow grease and it really was not that bad.
ukuslayer posted 05-01-2011 02:26 PM ET (US)     Profile for ukuslayer  Send Email to ukuslayer     
Thanks for the information. I have a project looming and will be dealing with 5200 bonded pieces and was wondering what would help in removing it. Hope your project is coming along nicely. Aloha--Sean
L H G posted 05-02-2011 03:35 PM ET (US)     Profile for L H G    
Russ - [E-TEC MARINE PRODUCTS] is a major supplier of radar arch and T-top welded aluminum products, including fold down hardware. Whole catalog link. No relationship to E-TEC engines.

With 5200, you may have a bigger problem than you expected. Consider taking the boat back to the original installer, and let them deal with it, and install the necessary fold down hardware.

Plotman posted 05-02-2011 10:58 PM ET (US)     Profile for Plotman  Send Email to Plotman     
Even better than using mono to saw through 5200 is piano wire or a guitar string - A metal one. I guess that makes it a real garrote.

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