Acetone or?

[ripvan1]

I've been removing laminate flooring from inside boat - some on wood, some on bare grp. All off now but residue glue (some kind of contact adhesive) needs to be removed, is acetone ok here.

Thanks

 

[VicS]

I've been removing laminate flooring from inside boat - some on wood, some on bare grp. All off now but residue glue (some kind of contact adhesive) needs to be removed, is acetone ok here.

Thanks

Perhaps harmful to the GRP Harmful to you if inhaled ( 8 hour workplace exposure limit is 500ppm). Highly flammable ( Fpt -18C) It is also very volatile

Xylene may be more effective and safer on the GRP but 10 times more dangerous to you. Also highly flammable with a Fpt of 27C .

If using any solvent you must remove all sources of ignition, provide good ventilation and wear an appropriate mask.

 

[capetown]

Try Autoglym intensive tar remover, apply, leave to soften, wipe off.

It works on grp but not tried it on wood, suggest you might try it on a small section first.

 

[SilverBreeze]

I would be wary of using acetone or xylene in an enclosed space. In my experience, acetone does not really soften dried contact glues.

I have had good results with citrus cleaners, non hazardous, non flammable, smell nice.

Look for Goo Gone in a good motor factor.

Look for Styccoclean 141 from a carpet installer.
See info here: http://www.f-ball.co.uk/product_detail.asp?product=C141&catID=ancillaries

Both products will soften dried adhesive residue to the point where the glue can be pulled off with a plastic scraper or copious old rags. Clean with fresh water.

Hard work.

 

[savageseadog]

Many contact glues are Toluene based.

 

[VicS]

Many contact glues are Toluene based.

But the thinner may well be xylene. Toluene is methylbenzene. Xylene is dimethylbenzene (Usually a mixture of three isomers)
Toluene and the xylenes are equally harmful, toluene is more volatile and has a lower flashpoint (6C)

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I've not had much luck using acetone on old contact adhesive. Like Silverbreeze, the best results I got were with citrus cleaners, still no easy task though.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

But the thinner may well be xylene. Toluene is methylbenzene. Xylene is dimethylbenzene (Usually a mixture of three isomers)
Toluene and the xylenes are equally harmful, toluene is more volatile and has a lower flashpoint (6C)

About 40 years ago, I worked in a research laboratory that investigated the properties of coal tar. Of course, we routinely got tar or bitumen on our hands and on lab equipment, and it all needed to be cleaned off. The best cleanser was a mixture of toluene and industrial detergent. Second best was acetone; acetone was especially useful if you wanted to dry it off quickly.

I suspect neither would have been passed by COSSH regulations these days!

 

[charles_reed]

I've used (because it was handy) cellulose thinner with some success - mainly ethanol and butyl acetate isomers, so not as toxic (liver damage) as xylene or toluene.

 

[lustyd]

worst case you could use a sander if the finish doesn't need to be shiny gelcoat afterwards - if you plan to paint then you'll be sanding to give a key anyway. If you plan to glue something down you'll also need a key but may find the existing glue best for that.

 

[Jcorstorphine]

I've used (because it was handy) cellulose thinner with some success - mainly ethanol and butyl acetate isomers, so not as toxic (liver damage) as xylene or toluene.

I used a toluene based adhesive in one of my boats and ended up off work for three months with chronic jaundice through liver failure. Went very yellow including the whites of my eyes, could only eat boiled cabbage for about a month, lost 3 stone and was unable to drink alcohol for about five years.

Acetone evaporate too quickly to be of much use.

 

[ripvan1]

Thanks all,

bought some tar remover today in spray bottle, (factor didn't have Autoglym) and it worked ok on varnished wood and formica (who sticks laminate on lovely varnished hardwood ? )

Boat is 60's so formica is ok

It didn't work so well on rough wood or rough GRP - did remove some but rest will have to be sanded.

Learn something new every day on here.