Cleaning adhesive residue from gelcoat
#12
Registered

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 517
Likes: 129
From: houston texas
3m adhesive remover or wd 40 are the 2 go 2 solvents to try 1rst
as stated let saturate the adhesive and wipe with microfiber towel
as it softens add more and repeat till gone
harsher solvents as in laquer thinners and acetone do the job faster but also sucks some of the sealer/wax film off the gelcoat
as stated let saturate the adhesive and wipe with microfiber towel
as it softens add more and repeat till gone
harsher solvents as in laquer thinners and acetone do the job faster but also sucks some of the sealer/wax film off the gelcoat
#15
VIP Member

Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 2,142
From: SW Ohio
My 93 Formula came with some giant decals from previous owner that covered half the boat on both sides of the hull... I thought they looked kinda dumb so I removed them years ago. They came off easy enough by warming with a hair dryer. I scrubbed and scrubbed after I removed them, but the adhesive reside remained, and it has collected dirt and looks even ****tier. I tried one of those rubber wheel rollers on a drill, but it seemed to just move it around... I could give that another shot I guess, but I'm hoping there is an easier way.
I thought about using acetone, but I figured that wasn't smart on gelcoat, and could damage the oem decal striping below the area if it dripped down - I could maybe mask that off though to catch the chemicals.
Can anyone suggest a safe product and/or technique to clean the adhesive residue from gelcoat?
I thought about using acetone, but I figured that wasn't smart on gelcoat, and could damage the oem decal striping below the area if it dripped down - I could maybe mask that off though to catch the chemicals.
Can anyone suggest a safe product and/or technique to clean the adhesive residue from gelcoat?
I've always used gasoline. I haven't found it's match yet. I just soak a blue paper towel and rub until it loosens up and rolls off. It sometimes takes folding the towel the OTHER way and going at it again, but it has always worked. Then I just cleaned with Greased Lightning or similar.
Thanks. Brad.






