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Posted by: kconway Jul 19 2007, 11:07 PM

I pulled off the engine side firewall rubber mat and I'm having a hell of a time getting the glue off. Hit it with brake cleaner and Goo Gone with poor results.

I'm sure somebody has done this...what did you use?

Thanks!
Kev

Posted by: skline Jul 19 2007, 11:11 PM

A lot of time with a wire wheel worked for me.

Posted by: LowGT Jul 19 2007, 11:15 PM

I know I've seen several posts about using 3M Adhesive Remover with great results. Removes the adhesive without stripping the paint off.

Posted by: Bleyseng Jul 19 2007, 11:28 PM

laquer thinner worked really well for me. I ran a fan too so there was plenty of fresh air blowing on me so I could breathe too.

Posted by: Travis Neff Jul 19 2007, 11:30 PM

MEK it really works well, but wear gloves and in a ventilated area - its absorbed through your skin and pretty bad for you. Just read you are in CA, you can't get that stuff there NM.

Posted by: brer Jul 19 2007, 11:54 PM

I tried the 3m Adhesive remover and got nowhere but high.

So I used a sharp edge paint scraper for most, and then sanded the remaining.
half of mine was already loosened by the surface rust beneath it anyway.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Jul 20 2007, 12:07 AM

A 3" sanding disc. I got pissed off at the results vs. time with the seemingly dozens of other techniques. The Cap'n

Posted by: kconway Jul 20 2007, 12:27 AM

I was afraid of this...I hit it with a wire cup brush and started making a little progress but can't reach all places with it. There has to be a solvent that breaks down that adhesive.

Posted by: pete-stevers Jul 20 2007, 01:22 AM

i'd say skip the 3M adhesive remover ....didn't work worth a damn for me....

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 20 2007, 04:42 AM

brake cleaner worked well for me ...

three things:

- spray on generously!
- let it sit for 20 seconds or so
- then rub it down hard with a shop towel


make sure you do this in a well ventilated area ...
Andy

PS: don't try to do a large area at once as the BC evaporates quickly. do smaller patches, like 6" x 6" at a time ...

Posted by: jimkelly Jul 20 2007, 05:39 AM

ditto - jim

Posted by: kconway Sep 19 2007, 11:58 PM

For the record, incase I ever have to do this again and forget what worked... 3M Adhesive Remover just smears the tacky glue around and removed some with multiple dousings. Lacquer Thinner takes it all off, including the paint pretty easily.

Kev

Posted by: PBritain Sep 20 2007, 12:34 AM

i used a sandblaster! lol.....seriously

Posted by: Jenny Sep 20 2007, 01:02 AM

hehe... that's the way I did it too. I was working at it for about an hour, sitting in the engine bay, before Brad checked in on me and thought of putting a fan on me.
Oh- one thing I remember.. Everytime you wipe with the towel, use a clean spot of the towel/rag. Otherwise you just smear the adhesive goo around.

Also-- ammonia works great for breaking down adhesive. But-- yeah. LOTS of ventilation. When I worked at a tint shop, we always used ammonia to remove residue from the glass. Alas, I don't know what effects it has on paint. But if you ask me, once that back pad comes off, you need to just wipe that slate clean and repaint.

Jen

Posted by: purple Sep 20 2007, 07:58 AM

well, for the n00bs among us...i was gonna suggest goof off....

you never know

Posted by: Bogaat Sep 20 2007, 11:01 AM

Use a gasket scraper to get all of the thick stuff off. Then wipe it down with the good off/remover and let it soak for a few minutes. The rest should wipe off with a little elbow grease. Don't bother trying to get the removers to work on the thick stuff. It will scrape off much easier.

Posted by: andys Sep 20 2007, 11:14 AM

I too used laquer thinner. It is not as aggressive as other solvents, especially Brake Cleaner. You have to rub a bit in order to remove the paint, but it will remove it eventually if you keep rubbing. And yes, a scraper or single edged razor blade works well for stubborn areas. If you plan to re-paint, then it shouldn't be an issue. Has anyone tryied mineral spirits? That should minimize any paint damage, but am skeptical that it will remove the adhesive.

Andys

Posted by: Brett W Sep 20 2007, 11:21 AM

Try a four inch knotted wire wheel in a four inch grinder. It may take some paint off but it will make short work of the glue residue.

Posted by: jd74914 Sep 20 2007, 12:24 PM

Yes . . . the knotted wire wheel is the key.

Posted by: BMXerror Sep 20 2007, 04:17 PM

I used an angle grinder with a flap-disk, an air-drill with three different wire wheels, and a lot of patience.
Mark D.

Posted by: Rusty Sep 20 2007, 06:31 PM

It works.