Removing velcro adhesive

9 posts / 0 new
Last post
plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753
Removing velcro adhesive

Seeing the thread on removing decals, and the rubber wheel for doing so, got me to thinking. My boat was delivered with velcro strips on the cockpit seats to hold the vinyl covered seat cushions in place. These worked great, but quickly deteriorated from UV. While the velcro is long gone, the nice dirty looking adhesive is still there after 12 years and has defied all attempts to get rid of it.

I was curious if anyone else has this problem and if the rubber wheel referenced in the other thread would be safe to use on the non-skid on cockpit seats? I'd love to get that stuff of.

Also would love to find a solution for holding the cushions on..

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

dejavu's picture
dejavu
Offline
Joined: 11/6/08
Posts: 433

I would think that the rough surface of the non-skid would chew up those rubber wheels pretty quickly. Have you tried something like Goo Gone ? Make sure you check that it's OK for fiberglass.

Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA

BudStreet
Offline
Joined: 9/4/09
Posts: 1127

The stuff used to soften up 5200 - Debond Marine Formula - will take decal goo and other similar residues off. BUT, it is powerful stuff and will also remove just about anything that is put on like paint to a surface, including any kind of varnish type coatings and bottom paint and just about any kind of caulk/sealant. So any drips and runs can cause a huge problem. Which is why I am not using it on the hull to take off our stripes but rather bought the wheel. If you can contain it though it will remove this stuff quite well.

chooch's picture
chooch
Offline
Joined: 6/25/07
Posts: 52

Gary,
I'd give the rubber eraser wheel a try.
The non-skid is not the diamond grit we use in the Navy, so won't eat the rubber that fast. Besides, the rubber is pretty tough itself; I've used one wheel to strip striping and lettering off of three boats, one car and some gummy stuff from a hot tub. It still is usable.
Or, you can try Xylol. I've found it an excellent solvent for removing various glues and sticky stuff at home, on cars and boats when I'm too lazy to chuck up the rubber wheel in the drill.

Fair Winds,

Glenn "Chooch" Jewell
Nautae Luna 1232 (RIP Tara 389 Hurricane Sally 2020)
GO NAVY - BEAT ARMY!

deising's picture
deising
Offline
Joined: 11/3/08
Posts: 1351

Liquid products like Ooops and Goo Gone (not sure of the exact spellings) have worked well for me. You just need to be careful to keep the liquid where you want it in case it affects something adversely. A plastic scraper also helps: moisten the adhesive and then gently scrape.

Good luck.

Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/

dwarburton
Offline
Joined: 3/1/09
Posts: 107

3M makes a few spray-on products for decal and adhesive removal. I have used them for removing the adhesive left behind from vinyl lettering. Look on the 3m website for more information.

I bought my can at the local automotive store.

Dave

Dave
Ballena 1995 Mk II #1445

Steve Frost's picture
Steve Frost
Offline
Joined: 12/14/07
Posts: 788

Many good suggestions here, sounds like the goo you are working on is probably caked and sun dried. This may be tough to get off, another suggestion would be WD40 if you have not already tried it, it works well on adhisives that are fairly fresh, it also tend to penetrate the pores of gelcoat and break the bond of the adhisive. If it leaves a residue it can be cleaned with alcohol or acetone. Acetone by itseld may work, leaving a rag moisened with acetone covering the adhisive for half an hour should soften up the old glue.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

plaineolde's picture
plaineolde
Offline
Joined: 11/4/08
Posts: 753

Appreciate all the suggestions. My main concern is NOT removing gel coat with the velcro goo. Yes , it is in deed nasty, dirty looking stuff. It's amazingly tenacious stuff. I purchased new closed cell cushions a couple years ago, and put some 'heavy duty' velcro in the same spot as all the old adhesive is. Believe it or not, after one lousy season, the 'heavy duty velcro' separated from IT'S adhesive, leaving behind yet another layer of adhesive to remove. The velcro itself, on sort of a plastic base, is still attached to the bottom of the cushions. Not a good product.

I tried acetone, but didn't want to leave it on too long for fear of damaging the non-skid gel coat. I think I need to gather all the available adhesive removers, plus the stripper wheel, and have at it in the spring.

Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay

dwarburton
Offline
Joined: 3/1/09
Posts: 107

In general, I have not had good luck with acetone for removing adhesive. I would urge you to try a dedicated adhesive remover like the 3m products. You will save yourself a lot of work.

Dave

Dave
Ballena 1995 Mk II #1445

Log in or register to post comments