Hey guys, I am not sure where to post this question, but here I go anyway, lol. I am trying to remove my trim tabs on my 98 Baja Outlaw. It has a white paste / glue holding them on. It also has a dozen screws. I removed the screws and tried to beat on it with a mallet and a block of wood and after two hours of no luck, they are still hanging on there.

The baja dealer said it is tuff stuff and it usually takes a chunk on gel coat off with it. I also tried to use a small wire to work between the trim tab and the transom but still no luck.

I would like to re-powder coat y swim deck too, but it has the same white paste holding it on. Any ideas? Has anyone ran into this stuff?

If it is 5200 bonding it together they sell a spray chemical "de-bonder" that will help to release it. The other thing that will help is to heat it up with a heat gun. Pry small sections at a time...DON'T FORCE IT. It will pull gelcoat off with it if you go to far.

Thanks. Yes I think it is 3M 5200. I think I ll try some spray and then a little heat. Thanks

What kind of tabs are they ??? Picture would be nice !
And why do u want to take them off ???

I would leave them right there, no matter what u use u will pull gelcoat and glass off . In 95 % of the cases i have done ,,,it will pull off with half of the transom sticking n there !!

Also if really needed,,,take a razor blade (long thin one ) and cut into the 5200 little by little !!
Better then anything what i have tried in the past !

GOOD LUCK !!!!

I know this sounds stupid, but I want to powder caot them purple. I know it is a lot of work to do but you know how it is when you want something done.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=29tv6t&s=5

OH YES ,,i know !!! LOL

But hey ,they'r only Bennet tabs ,, find a long razor blade and cut them off !!!!!

Since the transom is gel u will not scratch to bad + u gonna put them on there again !!!!
Not that bad ,,i thought u had K-planes ,,,allot more work !!

I thought about kplanes but I dont think tey will do that much for me right now. I am planing a new repower for next year and maybe do them then? What are the trye advantage of kplanes and when are they really needed?

They'r just stronger/beefier !!!
they do the same on your boat exept u run over 65-70 then it gets into pushing the bennet ,because the bent !!

But just cut them off like i said ,,it works ,,dont heat them or spray chit on there !!!

CUT LITLE BY LITTLE ,WITH A LITTLE PRYING IN BETWEEN !!

PITA ,, but works well.

Use a razor blade like DD said and cut all around the edges as far in as you can. You could also try to get a piece of piano wire in behind them. The swim platform will not be as bad and you should be able to get a razor blade behind it fairly easily.

I agree, the razor blade. I then had to use a putty knife and hammer. As long as your careful, no damage to the gelcoat.