Carpet Glue Removal

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 6:48 pm

This is driving me up the wall ... pulled up the carpeting for annual inspection and have discovered that some knucklehead in the past used a grade of glue to hold the carpet down on the tunnel that must be super strength. I have used 3M Adhesive Remover, MEK and Acetone (carefully ... I know ... it does remove paint if used in quantity) and alcohol ... even "Goo B Gone" ... nothing really works that well. Has anyone come up with a sure fire way to get rid of the glue without totally stripping the paint?

Thanks! Regards, Lee (N1967C)

PS Side question ... is there such a thing as a mister or fogger for applying Corrosion X or ACF 50?

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:31 pm

It sounds as though someone has used white latex cement as used on outdoor carpet. I don't know of a solvent that will work on it.

Anyone got a suggestion? (Other than a hammer and cold chisel.)

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:20 pm

Lee,

I just went through the exact same struggle in December. What I found worked best was to coat heavly with MEK and let it sit for a while. After, starting from the top of the tunnel, use a gasket scraper and a GOOD resperator. If you can, use a dual filter unit - paper masks are not up to the task.

It took me two full days to remove the glue from the tunnel and the floor. What a pain in the *&%*$.

The "Fogger" mentioned is probably a garden sprayer for pesticides with a fog tip (try home depot or Lowes) Easy to do .....

Good luck ... can't emphasise the respirator enough

Kyle

Post by **GAHorn** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:08 am

A good way to remove many adhesives that are resistant to the usual MEK treatment is to use Permatex aerosol gasket remover. But it cannot be relied upon not to remove paint as well.

A good way to "fog" Corrosion X and ACK50 is to use an engine blow-down gun (siphon engine blowgun) with it's nozzle adjusted as fine as it will go and use as high a pressure as your compressor will produce safely. Remove the wingtip fairings, the wingroot fairings, the horiz/vert stab fairings, the gear leg fairing at the fuselage, etc. and blow it thruout the airframe.
Be careful with regard to the headliner. Best to remove it before treating the cabin roof area.
Blow into the stabs, and the control surfaces.

mrpibb · Post by **mrpibb** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:59 pm

I used a polysulfied adhesive remover that we have at work to remove my carpet glue, it goes under the name of skykleen. I soaked the area and laid plastic wrap over it to prevent it from drying. it works wonders on the high tech stuff.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:54 am

I am having entirely too much "fun" trying to remove adhesive. I talked with Airtex late last week and they use a wire wheel!

(That caught my attention) I was using MEK and a double respirator a couple of nights ago and finally took the respirator because I felt like all I was doing was keeping the fumes in my lungs ... may have been a false impression. I took the covering off of the baggage compartment ... more adhesive ... amusing ... not! However, the MEK did a job on most of it. Has anyone tried usiong toulene? Skykleen I have not hear of ... source? Regards, Lee (N1967C)

Post by **GAHorn** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:30 am

Do NOT use a wire wheel on aluminum. (Especially on structure or external skins.) It leaves dissimilar metal bits imbedded and will lead to a nasty case of corrosion some day.

bradbrady · Post by **bradbrady** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:15 am

gahorn wrote:Do NOT use a wire wheel on aluminum. (Especially on structure or external skins.) It leaves dissimilar metal bits imbedded and will lead to a nasty case of corrosion some day.

George is right!! as usual! never use a steel brush on AL. You can use a brass or stainless steel brush and that will work OK but still someday you will have a problem! the best thing to use is an alumnum brush (or should I say several) They just don't hold up, but is the best thing to use!
brad

Post by **GAHorn** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:20 am

Don't even use a stainless brush. IMHO. Use an abrasive/composite 3M wheel if absolutely necessary.

Dave Clark · Post by **Dave Clark** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:24 am

Toluol will cut contacy cement but maybe not as fast as MEK? Take Mr. Pibb's advice and try covering it with aluminum foil for a few minutes before scraping.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:03 am

I think I have the picture!

I have been using paper towels and rags soaked in MEK ... me thinks I'll continue in that direction. Thanks! R/Lee

The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Carpet Glue Removal

Carpet Glue Removal

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