Hand Pull Scraper & Face Off Disks. Glue/Foam from GRP.

[davidpbo]

Searching pull scraper turned up some big boys earth movers.

Anyone know where I can source a hand scraper for getting foam/glue off GRP?

I suspect a pull motion might be better than push which may have a tendency to dig in. Tungsten Carbide blade or similar. I have a small plastic handled one with a TC blade but want something a bit more heavy duty. Bahco do a scraper but that looks as though it is primarily intended for a push action, removing paint from a flat surface etc. Anyone used them for what I want? or with a pull motion?

Also face off disks for angle grinders. Anyone used them for removing glue/foam from GRP?

How quickly do they wear away?

 

[DinghyMan]

I have one of the Bahco ones, like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-650-C...&qid=1400441137&sr=8-1&keywords=bahco+scraper and have had it for years, uses a pull action and can take the tiniest shaving off with care. Very sharp and doesn't seem to wear out as I have a spare blade for it somewhere that I bought at the same time and have not yet fitted.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

I have one of the Bahco ones, like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-650-C...&qid=1400441137&sr=8-1&keywords=bahco+scraper and have had it for years, uses a pull action and can take the tiniest shaving off with care. Very sharp and doesn't seem to wear out as I have a spare blade for it somewhere that I bought at the same time and have not yet fitted.

I borrowed one of those from a friend and it was superb for scraping paint.

However, for removing glue from GRP, I've found that nothing beats a wire brush in an angle grinder.

 

[davidpbo]

Thanks for the link. I have an angle grinder with wire brush, also a face off disk. Some of the areas I have to clean are awkward and I think I will struggle to get the grinder in.

 

[savageseadog]

I would suggest using a stainless steel wire brush

 

[LittleSister]

I read on here of someone getting good results using a steam wallpaper remover.

First Mate removed some and suggests flame thrower and tranquilisers! Seriously, she found wire brushes (by hand) kept clogging up, and best to use an ordinary paint scraper first to get the bulk of the foam off, and only then use the wire brush to finish off. (Use brushes of non-rusting wire, as someone has suggested, or you risk finding rust speckles everywhere later.)

She emphasises wearing gloves as you will get glass fibres coming off as you do it. Would also suggest using a face mask as the foam (and glass) fibres are not good for your lungs.

 

[davidpbo]

Finally got started. Using and angle grinder with wire cup brush, hand wire brush and Harris scraper (similar Bahco with replaceable tungsten carbide tips about 7GBPfrom B&Q) Use the scraper to get and thck foam and glue off and the angle grinder or brush ro get the rest off. I havent been ridiculously fasdtidious but there is no loose stuff and a lot of abraded GRPto stick to.

Horrible job.

But pleased with the Vacmaster Vacuum. Which is not recirculating the dust, the filter isn't clogging and the final Hepa outlet filter is clean.

Picture here:
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb425/17234/20140525_182843_zps604153fc.jpg

 

[ClaireDuet]

Yes it's a horrid job.

Here's how I did mine: http://littleyachtduet.com/removed-foam-backed-headlining/ Similar to you i think, though I am going to try the paint brush cleaner for the residue.

Just keep thinking how nice it's going to be once it's finished

Claire

 

[davidpbo]

When you say paint brush cleaner do you mean white spirit? I will probably leave it as is as I am covering with foam backed vinyl and using the same glues.

 

[ClaireDuet]

When you say paint brush cleaner do you mean white spirit?

No, not white spirit, the cheap blue stuff sold as 'Paint Brush Cleaner'. Needs to be as well ventilated as you can make it. I'm going to use a cloth dipped in that to get the last of the adhesive 'bogeys' off.

I'm painting, rather than recovering though so want to get it as clean as possible.