Ensolite adhesive removal

[TorreyT]

I have removed the lower portion of ensolite from the front of the Trillium and it has left a thin shiny layer of the adhesive and some areas of the foam still remaining adhered to the fiberglass. I'd like to get this off so I can attach my wood segments for the lower bunk/storage bin. What product was originally used to attach this stuff? Whatever it is its good. It looks like a rubber based adhesive, perhaps 3M spray adhesive. There are small sections that I can peel away and it definately seems rubberized. Anyway I have tried the following without any success. Has anyone used anything that worked?

I have tried:

<strike>Heat Gun
WD-40
Goo-Gone
Mineral Spirits</strike>
<strike>Sanding </strike> (clumps up but doesn't come off.
<strike>Acetone</strike>

Edit after Donna's Post: Scraping (the fiberglass surface isn't smooth so this doesn't seem to work either

[Donna D.]

If it's like Silicone...they only thing that's going to get it off is to scrap it off. There are some solvents that sorta work, and some merely smear the stuff around.

[Bill F.]

I have removed the lower portion of ensolite from the front of the Trillium and it has left a thin shiny layer of the adhesive and some areas of the foam still remaining adhered to the fiberglass. I'd like to get this off so I can attach my wood segments for the lower bunk/storage bin. What product was originally used to attach this stuff? Whatever it is its good. It looks like a rubber based adhesive, perhaps 3M spray adhesive. There are small sections that I can peel away and it definately seems rubberized. Anyway I have tried the following without any success. Has anyone used anything that worked?

I have tried:

<strike>Heat Gun
WD-40
Goo-Gone
Mineral Spirits</strike>
<strike>Sanding </strike> (clumps up but doesn't come off.
<strike>Acetone</strike>

Edit after Donna's Post: Scraping (the fiberglass surface isn't smooth so this doesn't seem to work either

Hi Torrey
I have used a rotary wire wheel in a cordless drill recently to remove this material so I can do a fiberglass repair from the inside. I've been told by someone who actually was through the Trillium plant when it was operating that they used contact cement to install the ensolite.
Bill

[TorreyT]

Hi Torrey
I have used a rotary wire wheel in a cordless drill recently to remove this material so I can do a fiberglass repair from the inside. I've been told by someone who actually was through the Trillium plant when it was operating that they used contact cement to install the ensolite.
Bill

I did the rotary wheel in the drill and it worked to remove the areas where the black foam remained adhered to the fiberglass, but didn't do a great job with the contact cement layer. I was shocked that sanding it with 60 grit Alum. oxide sandpaper did nothing either. If it is contact cement than laquer thinner would be the best solvent, which I need to go out and get. I think I will just prep the short band around the areas where I need to attach the plywood strips.

Is it bad to leave ensolite off the fiberglass walls which are hidden by the bench/bunk. Is condensation an issue at all? I don't have ensolite on the walls of the storage areas under the benches of my back dinette, so I was hoping to just leave it off under this one as well

[Donna D.]

Condensation could be a problem, but I would worry more about the "stuff" freezing in the areas not insulated...like canned food, etc. And remember too, if it's affected by cold/condensation it will also be affected by heat...which could be a bigger problem!

[John Perry]

Torrey, If you can find a friend with a real grinder, the kind that gets up to 12 or 13000 rpms. Buy a good stainlees steel wire brush for it, they cost about $10.00.

I have been through the same thing with my Scamp. I tried the chemicals and brushing with drills nothing worked until I used my Makita grinder with the stainless steel wire brush. The grinder is not only quick it does a great job.
It will create fiberglass dust and other stuff in the air I would advise wearing a mask and eye protection.

Good luck,

John

[TorreyT]

Torrey, If you can find a friend with a real grinder, the kind that gets up to 12 or 13000 rpms. Buy a good stainlees steel wire brush for it, they cost about $10.00.

I have been through the same thing with my Scamp. I tried the chemicals and brushing with drills nothing worked until I used my Makita grinder with the stainless steel wire brush. The grinder is not only quick it does a great job.
It will create fiberglass dust and other stuff in the air I would advise wearing a mask and eye protection.

Good luck,

John

Thanks. I have a nice Dewalt grinder so I will got to Canadian Tire and look for a wire brush. I didn't even think about that, probably because I don't remeber seeing the wire brushes before.

[TorreyT]

Condensation could be a problem, but I would worry more about the "stuff" freezing in the areas not insulated...like canned food, etc. And remember too, if it's affected by cold/condensation it will also be affected by heat...which could be a bigger problem!

OK. So maybe putting back up ensolite would be a good idea. Has anyone ordered ensolite from any of the posted links? I realize colors will probably not match up but is there anything out there that looks remotely similar to the ensolite used in the Trilliums?

[Lee Hillsgrove]

If you're using a wire wheel, watch the maximum RPM on it and be sure to use a face shield.

[Donna D.]

OK. So maybe putting back up ensolite would be a good idea. Has anyone ordered ensolite from any of the posted links? I realize colors will probably not match up but is there anything out there that looks remotely similar to the ensolite used in the Trilliums?

Here's the Ensolite stuff from the Helpful-Links: Ensolite