Removing old contact adhesive.

[burgundyben]

Urgh.

I've stripped off some manky auld formica on a couple of bits of bulkhead and want to paint, any recommendations for removing old contact adhesive?

 

[Refueler]

Goo Gone

Its an adhesive remover ... eBay or over counter in Builders / DIY shops ...

 

[diverd]

Methyl Ethyl Ketone is the solvent for contact adhesive

 

[Refueler]

Methyl Ethyl Ketone is the solvent for contact adhesive

Be careful with MEK .... it is extremely flammable - greater than gasoline in fact.

Not advised to use in large amounts in closed spaces.... it has volatile and noxious vapours.

 

[burgundyben]

I've got a jar of MEK and I don't like opening it!

 

[Refueler]

I've got a jar of MEK and I don't like opening it!

Its the best for gluing Airfix models !!

 

[burgundyben]

Ah! Just remembered there's a screw in bung in the bilge in the cabin, so fumes can slowly drain.

 

[vyv_cox]

I had to remove contact adhesive from a whole deck of a GK29. Working in a lab at the time, I used a mixture of MEK and toluene but it was hard work.

 

[VicS]

Be careful with MEK .... it is extremely flammable - greater than gasoline in fact.

Not advised to use in large amounts in closed spaces.... it has volatile and noxious vapours.

In what way is MEK more flammable than gasoline ?

 

[Refueler]

In what way is MEK more flammable than gasoline ?

Check out its vapour phase ..... as you know - the liquid itself gasoline / kerosine etc does not burn - its the vapour / oxygen mix above it ...

If I try to inform others of a characteristic to take care about ... I will do so.

 

[VicS]

Check out its vapour phase ..... as you know - the liquid itself gasoline / kerosine etc does not burn - its the vapour / oxygen mix above it ...

If I try to inform others of a characteristic to take care about ... I will do so.

What properties or characteristic of the vapour phase make MEK more flammable than gasoline ?

The flashpoint is is much higher although both are classed as highly flammable.
It's LEL is slightly higher.
The ignition temperature is much higher.
The boiling point is higher than the initial boiling point of gasoline.

You made a statement which surprised me so I looked for the scientific data which would support that statement. So far I have not found any that does.

 

[Refueler]

What properties or characteristic of the vapour phase make MEK more flammable than gasoline ?

The flashpoint is is much higher although both are classed as highly flammable.
It's LEL is slightly higher.
The ignition temperature is much higher.
The boiling point is higher than the initial boiling point of gasoline.

You made a statement which surprised me so I looked for the scientific data which would support that statement. So far I have not found any that does.

So what now ?

 

[VicS]

So what now ?

I was hoping for some data to support your statement.

Otherwise the OP should be aware that MEK is highly flammable, there should be no sources of ignition present, there should be good ventilation and he should wear a suitable respirator to protect himself from "organic vapours" .

 

[Refueler]

I was hoping for some data to support your statement.

Otherwise the OP should be aware that MEK is highly flammable, there should be no sources of ignition present, there should be good ventilation and he should wear a suitable respirator to protect himself from "organic vapours" .

Carry on pal ... doing so well ...

 

[guardian]

Auto glym tar remover, spray on leave for 30 mins scrape off. Ventilate where you work or you'll get high as a kite.

 

[rib]

Trico? Can you still get it ?

 

[Refueler]

Auto glym tar remover, spray on leave for 30 mins scrape off. Ventilate where you work or you'll get high as a kite.

Most solvents will get you 'high' !!

 

[Just Me]

Try white spirit. It works on a lot of contact adhesives, but not all.