Sikaflex removal

jake 4589 · 23 June 2011, 19:29

Does any one know the best way the remove sikaflex 291 from the transom.

Had to remove my launch wheels to do some work and want to put them back on with fresh sealant but have a load of the old stuff to remove first.

Can anyone help

Jake

Fenlander · 23 June 2011, 19:32

Funnily enough I'm just swapping transom wheels on my one week old SIB and cursing that I used Sikaflex as it's bond was strong enough to pull off the transom paint under all the fittings where I used it.

A couple of places I found I could rub it off with fingers but where it had a good bond a scraper was needed and this is where it pulled the paint up too.

The makers tech sheet says it all... "Once cured, the material can only be removed
mechanically.".

Channel Ribs · 23 June 2011, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

The makers tech sheet says it all... "Once cured, the material can only be removed mechanically.".

Or with really cheap baby wipes, the cheaper and the less likely to go near a baby the better!

Erin · 23 June 2011, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Or with really cheap baby wipes, the cheaper and the less likely to go near a baby the better!

One wonders what you were doing with a baby wipe to your boat to have found that one out

Never tried it, but would a bit of heat from a hairdrier or heat gun work. It helps when using a scraper on many other glues and sealants I know of.

Nasher · 23 June 2011, 20:40

I can confirm that baby wipes are one of the few things I've found that can remove Sikaflex from skin.

When you have young kids there is never a pack of Baby wipes too far away, and you do discover how useful they are, so much so that even though the kids grow up there is always still a use for the baby wipes.

Nasher

Fenlander · 23 June 2011, 20:42

Baby wipes indeed... I was close to reaching for the Hilti drill!

C-NUMB · 23 June 2011, 21:08

Little off topic but not that sure we will have this problem in the future. I have recently used
the new eco SIKA 291 I cure and its sticky yes, but i don't think it is even close to as strong bonding as the old one? is it only me or anyone else noted the same?

Nos4r2 · 23 June 2011, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

Little off topic but not that sure we will have this problem in the future. I have recently used
the new eco SIKA 291 I cure and its sticky yes, but i don't think it is even close to as strong bonding as the old one? is it only me or anyone else noted the same?

You could always try the Purflex equivalent if Sika has gone downhill.

martini · 23 June 2011, 21:32

Once the worst has been scraped off I find acetone helps to get rid of the remnants

jake 4589 · 23 June 2011, 22:11

Scraper, baby wipes and if needed, acetone it is then.

Thanks for your help guys

Jake

benc · 23 June 2011, 22:38

+1 for baby wipes, but definately the cheapest ones you can find, the more expensive ones (Johnson and Pampers) really do not work as well.

It also works for the glue used to put down wooden floors onto concrete... I am so happy I knew that when I lost balance when doing and awkward area of my floor and covered my arm from elbow to fingers in the floor glue.

Being so good for this application, I really don't understand why stores can sell them as baby wipes, even the most friendly wipes are bad enough to a babys skin!

Channel Ribs · 24 June 2011, 05:32

Even more potent are the wipes intended for removing camouflage face paint.

C-NUMB · 24 June 2011, 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You could always try the Purflex equivalent if Sika has gone downhill.

Thanks, will try that one! Baby wipes, that's a new one for me, must try, kind of worrying that they works though....

9D280 · 24 June 2011, 10:00

+ another for the wipes.....

I've yet to find anything they won't remove.

gohelm · 28 June 2011, 21:12

In my experience Martini's acetone and a carefully tweaked, ie razor sharp and very straight blade with no dents, stopping knife (not sure if correctly translated, i mean the hand tools for applying filler) at the right angle will do the trick. However some practise on unseen or covered surfaces is advisable: It is important to scrape the sika and not any polyester or gelcoat so the blade is almost paralel to the object with the sika and easy very easy doest it ... Baby wipes: have no experience with them....

Good luck!

jake 4589 · 29 June 2011, 17:11

Hi there,

Had to say that after a scrape with a putty knife the baby wipes did the rest so I'm well pleased.

Just 79p from Wilkinsons so a big thanks guys, much appreciated

Jake