V-Berth Wall Glue Removal

[JohnV8r]

Hey guys,

The carpet pad and fabric walls have been removed from Shambala's v-berth. What is the best way to remove the glue on the walls?

Thanks in advance!

[Dug]

I hate to tell ya, there is no easy way...

Grinder, with lots of grinding wheels, as it will gum them up pretty quickly. Heat only makes it gooey, acetone does not touch it, so its just grunt work.

Wear a respirator, put on that Tyvek, open the windows and hatches and use a fan to give you fresh air. Keep the wrench handy that will help you change the sandpaper pads.

And have at it. Good luck.

Dug

[scot]

The glue from hell strikes again!! Good luck.

[Tommy]

Been there, done that; listen to Dug: wear a respirator (not just a dust mask)and ventilate!! One of the faithful ended up in the hospital after doing this grunt work a dozen years ago.

[JohnV8r]

Uuuggghh... What grit on the grinder pads, 24 or 36?

[Dug]

Honestly, doesn't matter. They both goo up quickly. Just be patient and keep the grinder moving. Eventually it will wear away.

[STraenkle]

It was many years ago I did the moldy carpet removal. Tried the sanding, but seemed to just swirl it around and gum up the paper. Acetone did nothing, but as I recall, mineral spirits softened it up just enough that a 2 inch chisel could make large balls of goo that could be separated from the hull. That was just to get the large globs off, then back to 36 grit paper on random orbital paper, went thru 100 sheets for just one side. Be careful not to sand thru hull. after getting the large amounts out, I faired it with 3M fairing and just covered up what was left. I figured if it wasn't coming off, cover it. been 6 years and the gel coat I put over it still looks perfect. No way I was going to put carpet there again. I heard of some just covering it, but the clean smooth gel coated hull looks amazing on the inside, had to fill in the chine to make a perfectly smooth inside.

Yep the 3 hour job that took weeks and felt like years......

[Howesounder]

Just in case yours is dryer, mine was very dry, and I had similar to above results....swirling goo etc. I used a simple Richards, paint scraper, and drew it down towards me. Maybe it was the cold winter weather?...not sure but I got 80% off easily this way. The rest was only in the voids, and for my purposes that was enough. (Carpet going back on) I even if not it took the bulk off well.

Steve

[Pete Fallon]

Faithful,
I did mine 4 years ago after being in the boat for 48 years. A lot came off with the foam backed material, but a lot was left in the woven rove weaving. I found that a large white bath towel soaked in Acetone then laid against the hull side held in place with shower curtain hooks from above. Let it soak for a half an hour or still moist then remove, it really softens the glue enough to remove with a scraper or putty knife, then a long handle brass bristle brush, no steel brushes , they leave rust in bilge.
MAKE SURE TO WEAR A FULL FACE MASK with FRESH AIR SUPPLY. I had access to 1 hour Scott Air Pack from the fire dept I worked for, I used 4 bottles to finish the job. The ACETONE WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DON"T HAVE A GOOD AIR SUPPLY.
I also used a fan to force air into the V berth from the hatch overhead and another to exhaust out of the cabin door, both fans had spark proof motors.
I tried Goof Off, MEK, Lacquer Thinner and Mineral sprits Nothing worked as good as the straight Acetone. Do not use steel wool because it rusts and makes a mess in the bilge. I Re-covered with white foam backed vinyl and 3M spray glue I got from the local marine canvas guy in Stuart. It has to be the worse job that I did on that boat in the 37 years that I owned her.
Just take it slow and use proper air supply and a full face mask.
Never again.
Pete Fallon

[Navatech]

As Pete indicates, there's no place on a boat for steel wool... Even it's unseen dust will cause rust marks!...

For anything that you want to use steel wool for on a boat use brass wool instead!...

[IRGuy]

I nave been considering removing the mousefur in the forepeak on My boat.. Not sure if it will work but I have planned on using my Fein Multitool. I have removed formica with it using the flat blade. For those not familiar with the tool, it vibrates the blade back and forth about 2-3 degrees. Probably if you Google the name you will get a better idea how the tool works.

When I bought mine Fein was the only manufacturer, but today several companies make similar tools. If anyone tries this I would appreciate reading your comments here as I haven't started the job.. not yet on my priority list.`

[Tony Meola]

Frank

If I remember right, someone did use one a few years ago. I don't member who did it. I believe the glue was still an issue.

[Corey Mason]

When I pulled the "wallpaper" from my vberth I didn't have any glue left. Just green glass.

Did I get lucky, or is there not glue in the 25 models?

[Navatech]

Did I get lucky, or is there not glue in the 25 models?

I think the glue is limited to the boats that had the "furry" carpeting type of hull cover...

[Pete Fallon]

Nav,
My 1961 Express had foam backed cloth wall paper with lots of glue left in the woven rove mat underneath. Worst job I had to do on my restoration I kept putting it off for years finally did it after owning her for 35 years.
Pete Fallon