Best adhesive remover?

[Lubird]

I pulled up the carpet in my 1978 Thundercraft Magnum boat. What is the best adhesive remover to clean the fiberglass floor? I was looking at Goo Gone Power Pro. Opinions?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I never found anything that loosened or dissolved the old carpet glue. I tried all kinds of solvents, including the 3M Adhesive Remover (what I refer to as 'the nuclear option' since it works better than anything), without success. I ended using a grinder and abrasive disk. I went thru a bunch of them, as the adhesive gummed them up pretty quickly.

 

[Scott Danforth]

4-1/2" angle grinder with a wire cup brush.

there isnt a solvent made that will work if they used the right adhesive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

wear heavy clothing, a face shield and goggles as well as a respirator. you will get bits of wire in your skin otherwise.

have the shop vac hose close by for dust control.

 

[gm280]

I had a similar situation with a tool container that the foam deteriorated into crummy crap when you touched it, and the glue was left behind. This wasn't any typical glue but some gummy junk. First thing come to mind was Goo Gone and I bought some just for this project. While it softened the glue a lot, it still wasn't coming off. So I decided to try Acetone. That too worked some but barely. So I was about to give up and as a last resort decided to try tried some Lacquer Thinner and WAHLA...it dissolved the glue and with a little work, I was able to remove that stubborn glue. Not saying the same would remove your carpet glue, but I would try all types of things before grinding it off. Grinding is a very messy, dirty, crappy way to do most anything. But some times that is all that works. I would try Acetone, Mineral Spirits, Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner, Methyl Ethel Tektone and the box/hardware type stores have a lot of different type chemicals to try before grinding. Heck I would even try carb cleaner first before grinding. JMHO

 

[Scott Danforth]

I had a similar situation with a tool container that the foam deteriorated into crummy crap when you touched it, and the glue was left behind. This wasn't any typical glue but some gummy junk. First thing come to mind was Goo Gone and I bought some just for this project. While it softened the glue a lot, it still wasn't coming off. So I decided to try Acetone. That too worked some but barely. So I was about to give up and as a last resort decided to try tried some Lacquer Thinner and WAHLA...it dissolved the glue and with a little work, I was able to remove that stubborn glue. Not saying the same would remove your carpet glue, but I would try all types of things before grinding it off. Grinding is a very messy, dirty, crappy way to do most anything. But some times that is all that works. I would try Acetone, Mineral Spirits, Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner, Methyl Ethel Tektone and the box/hardware type stores have a lot of different type chemicals to try before grinding. Heck I would even try carb cleaner first before grinding. JMHO

I have tried the following (in about this order):
acetone
lacquer thinner
mineral spirits
isopropyl alcohol
paint stripper
gasoline
carburetor cleaner
brake cleaner
simple green
409
freon (cans of keyboard cleaner to try to freeze it and bust it off)
2" metal scraper
razor blades
heat gun

the best was the wire cup brush in the angle grinder. it is not "grinding" it will take gel coat down a bit, however it works great to remove the glue almost as fast as you can move.
use the shop vac to vacuum the grit/debris
then wipe down with acetone to clean up

the glue you want to use is Dap weldwood carpet adhesive.

 

[Lubird]

I had a similar situation with a tool container that the foam deteriorated into crummy crap when you touched it, and the glue was left behind. This wasn't any typical glue but some gummy junk. First thing come to mind was Goo Gone and I bought some just for this project. While it softened the glue a lot, it still wasn't coming off. So I decided to try Acetone. That too worked some but barely. So I was about to give up and as a last resort decided to try tried some Lacquer Thinner and WAHLA...it dissolved the glue and with a little work, I was able to remove that stubborn glue. Not saying the same would remove your carpet glue, but I would try all types of things before grinding it off. Grinding is a very messy, dirty, crappy way to do most anything. But some times that is all that works. I would try Acetone, Mineral Spirits, Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner, Methyl Ethel Tektone and the box/hardware type stores have a lot of different type chemicals to try before grinding. Heck I would even try carb cleaner first before grinding. JMHO

Thanks for your reply. This boat was exposed to the elements for several years, and now has been in my garage for 4 yrs. The carpet came of almost without effort. I had it off in about 10 minutes, just because it was clumsy.

I'm wondering how much glue is really even still there. It all seems like it's degraded. There's almost no rubber backing left.

 

[crazy charlie]

I had very good results using a rubber wheel on a drill.I also has a smaller job than you have in front of you.Charlie

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thanks for your reply. This boat was exposed to the elements for several years, and now has been in my garage for 4 yrs. The carpet came of almost without effort. I had it off in about 10 minutes, just because it was clumsy.

I'm wondering how much glue is really even still there. It all seems like it's degraded. There's almost no rubber backing left.

just so you are aware, your 1978 fiberglass tri-hull most likely has soft transom and stringers as well as water-soaked foam - especially if it was exposed to the elements for several years like you mention. your carpet may be the least of your issues. if you have to replace the transom and stringers, you will be cutting the old floor out to do so.