Suggestions for removing old contact cement from wood?

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by magentawave, Nov 14, 2019.

  1. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member


    Don't be fooled by the low oder.
    Use a respirator with all skin protected. Citrus stripper will still burn skin, eyes and lungs.
    It will also drive some of the glue on to the wood. It is the nature of resins and solvents.
     
  2. Will Gilmore
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Littleton, nh

    Will Gilmore Senior Member

    Toluene works. I worked evenings for a furniture refinishers while in cabinet school, that was what we used when all else failed. It is also good for shedding skin, really helps remove that top layer so you can start rejuvenating the newly exposed layers underneath.

    Heat softens contact cement. Naptha (white fuel) is also suppose to work well. A wet/dry vac should work to pull it out of the grain while wet. Use an alcohol-based primer with an oil based paint.

    Naptha is also the recommended dewaxer before applying epoxy- based paint.

    -Will (Dragonfly)
     
  3. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    I have used a lot of citristrip and never had that happen. This stuff does not have flammable organic volatile solvents. If you need to leave it longer on the surface, then cover it with plastic wrap.
    Citristrip can remove the grey epoxy coating used on mirrors given a few days to work.
     

  4. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
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    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member

    citristrip can be water washed, never had an issue with it leaving behind paint resins or stickyness after using it. You can always lighly sand the surface. If you have good access, a carbide blade scraper, like LOWES sells, can scrape off dried up old contact cement. I am doing this right now on my flybridge where an indoor outdoor carpet was glued down. I thought about using a chemical stripper, but I have made good progress without that.

    Another good solvent for contact cement new or old is gasoline, but I would not use that in an enclosed space.
     
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