Removing cockpit carpet glue?
 

I'm about to order new cockpit carpet. Thanks to all the threads I researched. If Sonic's price is to high then I'll be going with R&R Textiles.

However, my old carpet (which stinks to high heaven:eek: ) is glued. When I take it up I want to remove the glue and I have no idea what to use.

Anybody have ideas? The new carpet is a lay-in and I don't want dirt collecting in the old glue.

Thanks

No easy way that I have found. I use a four inch hand scraper and scrape it off. After you get it thin enough, mineral spirits or laquer thinner may take it off. I've never tried to get it that clean because I'm usually going back over it.

I'd try laquer thinner (slow) and a putty knife. Oh, and be sure to wear some thick rubber gloves and a mask.

Maybe some of that Goof-Off stuff will work, never tried it on carpet glue either though.

3M makes an adhesive remover. Try it, it works on almost everything. You can buy it at good automotive stores (that have painting supplies) and some marine supply stores.
Gary

Yea, that adhesive remover is great. Even works on silicone to a point. Try lighter fluid. I swear it is exactly the same thing and costs 1/10. Dont smoke LOL.

M E K stands for Methol Ethol Keyton. I dont know if the spelling is correct put we use it at work all the time to remove adhesives. This is an industrial chemical and can be found easily.

NO ONE mentioned anything about fumes.
most of those chemicals are deadly in an enclosed area.
make sure that you have a fan blowing fresh air into the area where you are working.
Some of those chemicals may be heavier than air and a mask wont help if the only thing to breath is the chemical

Goof Off will work. Spray it on or pour it on, you can get it it different forms of applications. Lowes, Walmart, etc. carries it.
Good luck

Try the milder stuff first.

If that won't do it, go to acetone.
Acetone won't kill the gelcoat.

MEK will dissolve gel, won't it???

I'm not sure about MEK and gelcoat. It diffently could cause problems. Whatever you try, do it in a small area first to test it.

I went to Lowes and bought some carpet adhesive remover. You just mix it up and pour it on the carpet. It soaks through and you can scrape the old stuff up. I used a wood chisel for a scraper.

Don't expect perfection, but it will get most of it. After that, grind/sand it smooth.

Thanks for the tips everyone. When I do it I'll make sure it's outside and windy. I'll let you know how I made out, but it won't be for another few weeks.

If you use acetone be very careful,it doesn't take much to ignite. Went on a boat fire last year a 28 footer with 2 502s. The guy was removing his old carpet when his cell phone rang that was sitting on the fence,he jumped out to answer and no one was there. Right then his boat flashed. When we got there 4 minutes later it was a total fireball. After seeing that I would not use acetone. He was not running any equipment either.It is just very easy to ignite!!!!

Wildfire....I have a simliar project to do on my 34 pq....the carpet in the cabin though.

Do I understand you correctly that the adhesive remover your bought you apply on top of of the carpet and it soaks through the backing to the glue?

If so, have you done it yet?

What brand was it?

Thanks.

Jeff

The carpet adhesive remover I bought was applied directly on the carpet. It soaks through and softens up the glue. Then the stuff is "easy" to scrape up.

Don't get me wrong. It's work, but better than the alternative. It took me about an hour to apply and soak, then maybe another hour to scrape the carpet and glue up.

I don't remember the brand. It came from the local Lowes Home Center. It was back in the carpet section. Whatever it was, I diluted it with water. So it must not be too dangerous.