Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

I'm trying to get my trim tabs off the transom to paint. This is a 91 boat so, I guess they are not coming off without a fight. The tab hinge pin itself is seized to the aluminum also so, I don't think this is going to be easy.

Anyone got some good ideas as to how to get these off? Do I dare add heat?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

You Cigarette has 3M 5200 adhesive on the tabs. Tough Stuff. You will need to make a couple wood or plastic wedges to get between the metal and glass. try no to pry to much. Once the seal starts to break the job will get easier.

P.S. your manual is coming.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Thanks Andrew,

That's what I was afraid of. That 5200 works too good!

The manual should help out tremendously! I'm starting on rewiring the transom. I can hardly wait.

Bob

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Get an electric heat gun and heat up the tab. Once you get the 5200 warm it will start to budge. Be careful not to get things too hot and do damage to the gel coat.

5200 is pretty nasty stuff and if you try to pry them off without heat, you will probably peel the gelcoat and a layer of fiberglass off the boat. Believe me, I've done it. :(

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

That's what I'm worried about. I'm afraid that once you get started there's a point of no return. That's when you pull out the "BIG" wallet, (of which I don't have).

I may just leave the transom part of the assembly on the boat and try to paint it from there.

BTW: Biggus, I remember now, you just did a magazine article right?

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

I pulled mine to replace wood core on my scarab and even with the heat I pulled some gell and glass off. I would think twice!!

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

theres some stuff that ive heard will lossen it up. cant think of the name off hand but i have a link to it on my home puter. at work now. ill post it when i get home tonight.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

I used 3 spackle knifes,about 4inches wide,worked them in and sprayed prepsol into the grove and on the knife.It took 3hrs to remove an ext box.did not hurt the gel.Take your time

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

3M (who makes 5200), also makes a 5200 remover. Not sure how safe it is for the Gel though.?? You may want to read before you try.

Maybe you should consider taping around it, and spraying it on the boat. I know a few people who have done this with good results.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

I know this sounds to stupid to believe, but I had a bunch of 5200 get dragged onto my bow when I was assemblimg my boat, sat all winter under a tarp and didn't see it for months, all the pros just laughed when I asked what would remove it - "nothing" was the general answer! Guess what worked - natural mineral spirits, lke house painters use- turnd the stuff to a rubbery crud I could roll off with my fingers! no damage to the gelcoat. cheap and easy! not words you often see associated with boats.

Mike

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

West Marine sells the 5200 remover, Anti-bond. I used it before with success on my exhaust trim rings. If you can get a putty knife started in the joint, spray some of the Anti-bond in there and let it soak. It softens the 5200. Work a little bit at a time.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

DeBond 2000® Marine Formula

http://www.debond2000.com/marineform...ove%205200.htm

never used it myself

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Bob,
Goof Off works which you can buy at your local Lowes, Wal-Mart. It works better then what West Marine sells to remove it and doesn't hurt your gel coat.
Your best bet as mentioned above is to work be hind it with a putty knife or wedge of some sort and get as much of the Goof Off behind as you can. Leave it set for about 5 or 10 min and start working it off.
Good luck

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I have a couple of options now.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

The stuff from West Marine does work. I also used piano wire to "saw" back and forth through the stuff. I came up with the piano wire idea after I pulled some of the gel off with the first tab I removed. Take your time. It is the most challenging part of stripping the transom.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

what are you using for paint?

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

test

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Hey Mr. Oneil,
if any of the gel comes off, howz about we go ahead and pull that transom assembly off, water pickups and those Mercthadone thingys off also. Clean that puppy up.
Lets DO IT! I have come-along! :evilb:

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

just wanted to bring this ttt and say for you guys approaching 5200...it's all about heat, heat, heat!

Ran a propane torch around on the flange of my stock thru-hulls for 5+ minutes or so, then with a thin angled edged 1.5" putty knife tapped in with a light hammer around under the flange. Then heated up again for good measure...and BINGO slid out like butta...

NO gelcoat damage. I have some to clean up off the gel, but will be careful, and use the heat GUN for that.

I bought the 5015 at West...It appears to me to be BS.

It's all about HEAT.

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

piano wire works //saw it off

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

YEP! This is the way to do it right. A few year ago, I had some major a$$hole "certified marrine mechanic" do $560 damage to the transom of my mint 311 pulling off a trim tab with wedges, a sledge hammer, and crow bars. He was about to do the same thing to the other side when I just happened to walk in before he did further damage.

I have never been more pissed and seriously considered applying the crow bar tightly to his head repeatedly!

Re: Trim Tabs Stuck To Transome
 

Definitely if the tabs are older and the hinge pin is siezed, you won't have much luck getting it out. There is just too much surface area and it is a pretty soft stainless steel. I've tried that, and gave up long before causing a lot of damage. I was actually doing the opposite of the thread, trying to paint the tabs. I ended up just masking off the transom of the boat, sanding/grinding/sandblasting the tab down, repriming and painting on the boat.