Best (safest) solvent for cleaning GRP?

[Ship's Cat 73]

When we got the yacht it needed most of its headlinings re-attached. It took some time but eventually got it done.
However, recently one section has started to peel downwards again and the residue of the adhesive (we used a contact adhesive) is very sticky and gooey on both the GRP and the vinyl headlining.
So, before we can attempt to re-attach it again we'll have to clean off all that goo ~ what's the best solvent or cleaner to do the job?

. . . and while I'm here asking questions, what kind of adhesive is recommended?

Thanks in advance.

 

[VicS]

When we got the yacht it needed most of its headlinings re-attached. It took some time but eventually got it done.
However, recently one section has started to peel downwards again and the residue of the adhesive (we used a contact adhesive) is very sticky and gooey on both the GRP and the vinyl headlining.
So, before we can attempt to re-attach it again we'll have to clean off all that goo ~ what's the best solvent or cleaner to do the job?

. . . and while I'm here asking questions, what kind of adhesive is recommended?

Thanks in advance.

The solvent for the adhesive. Probably methylbenzene, or dimethylbenzene. But must be used with good ventilation and a suitable organic vapours mask

Propanone will no doubt be effective too but is in my mind too volatile. equally hazardous and more highly flammable.

Hake House recommend Autoglym tar remover

Hawke House recommend a contact adhesive, "SAF111" applied to the GRP and a spray adhesive, "TradeTak" applied to the foam backing of the lining

http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/adhesives/glue-removal/autoglym-glue-remover.html

http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/adhesives/saf111-1-litre.html

http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/adhesives/trade-tack.html

http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/adhesives/adhesive-application/protective-respirator-mask.html

 

[davidpbo]

Beaten to it.

Hawke house recommend sp111 on glassfibre which is a high temperature contact adhesive and a spray adhesive called trade tack I think on the foam. Check their website. They are both probably bought in bulk by a glue distributor and packaged and badged.

That is what I used. Glue removal options are Auto Glym Tar Remover which you should be able to get from a car accessory shop.

I did feel I had a problem getting adhesion to anything that had had the tar remover used on it. So maybe give it wipe with some white spirit or similar.

Trade Solve is a more agressive solvent which gives a lot of fumes and is highly inflammable I believe. Good ventilation and fume masks needed. I have also used scrapers for removing glue and foam. HARRIS do a good one with tungsten carbide blades readily available from diy sheds. Where access/mess is not a problem angle grinder and cup brush did it for me.

You may find it easier to remove most of the panel leaving just one edge attached then prepare the surface properly, replace any damaged foam if necessary and reglue, rather than trying to bodge with inadequate access. Depends on condition of foam. When our headlining was deteriorating Copydex worked well for keeping of panels up.

Search for recent posts started by me as I have posted several related questions over the last four months or so.