Sikaflex:how to remove it?

Zubenelgenubi · 15 November 2009, 20:40

Just removed a transducer from my SR's transom.I am left with a large slab of Sikaflex which doesnt want to come off.I can scrape it of course but this also scores the gelcoat.
Is there any product which wont damage the gelcoat & which will break down the Sikaflex so it can be removed easily?

Chris · 15 November 2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

Just removed a transducer from my SR's transom.I am left with a large slab of Sikaflex which doesnt want to come off.I can scrape it of course but this also scores the gelcoat.
Is there any product which wont damage the gelcoat & which will break down the Sikaflex so it can be removed easily?

No, although heat can sometimes help

JSP · 15 November 2009, 20:46

I found it comes off if you rub it hard with your thumb or finger (that sounds really dodgy, glad I'm not going to reply to his post!). It's very slow going though.

Zubenelgenubi · 15 November 2009, 20:51

I tried that with a rag & it does work but its seriously slow. I thought my arm would drop off or the transom would go on fire from the heat generated by the friction!
There must be something that will degrade Sikaflex / cause it to break down, the area I have to clean up is about 25" square.

chewy · 15 November 2009, 20:52

What about silicone remover?

Chris · 15 November 2009, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

I found it comes off if you rub it hard with your thumb or finger (that sounds really dodgy, glad I'm not going to reply to his post!). It's very slow going though.

On my last rib I had to get a load of Sikaflex off that had been used to fix down a jockey seat, it took three hours using a hear gun and my thumb, safe to say my thumb took a few weeks to recover.

Took me back to school days again

JSP · 15 November 2009, 20:53

Petrol?

JSP · 15 November 2009, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

On my last rib I had to get a load of Sikaflex off that had been used to fix down a jockey seat, it took three hours using a hear gun and my thumb, safe to say my thumb took a few weeks to recover.

Took me back to school days again

I've done it myself but with out the heat. Once one thumb got to much I moved on to fingers, then sides of hands.

Downhilldai · 15 November 2009, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

Just removed a transducer from my SR's transom.I am left with a large slab of Sikaflex which doesnt want to come off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zubenelgenubi

the area I have to clean up is about 25" square.

Big transducer.

Zubenelgenubi · 15 November 2009, 21:04

Yea it was on a backing plate, a bit of overkill but it came on the boat.

Downhilldai · 15 November 2009, 21:07

A backing plate that big just has to be covering something up. Got any pics?

Zubenelgenubi · 15 November 2009, 21:24

Thats what I thought. I removed it & what Sika I could & its all sound underneath. Its just the residual Sika that looks unsightly.
I think it was just a bit over engineered!

Trolli · 16 November 2009, 07:59

This is what works great and remove Sika within seconds without any damage on the gelcoat.

http://www.autolackcenter.de/schleif...pter-fuer.html

Sure u can find this in GB too.

Zubenelgenubi · 16 November 2009, 09:15

Thanks for that!
Ill have a look in Ireland, perhaps we have it here as well as in GB :-)

jyasaki · 16 November 2009, 16:36

Sikaflex is a polyurethane bonding adhesive, no? (sorry, we don't get a lot of it over here; as I recall, at least one type of SF is similar to 3M 5200, though.)

There's a product called DeBond Marine Formula (http://www.marineformula.com/) that advertises it will remove cured 5200 (which would probably mean it would wotk on Sikaflex as well.)

Another one is "Anti-bond 2015" by JWB Environmental, which makes similar claims. Interestingly, despite being the more widely known of the two I've listed, I can't find a manufacturer's site. A use article (I have no idea who hosts or wrote this, so can make no claims of impartiality) is here:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...4/ai_55492374/

Hope this helps;

jky