Help!! Roof vent won't let go!!

[Pamela H]

Okay...we are removing the old bent up roof vent frame, and it is adhered to the fiberglass. What can I use to break the adhesive without damaging the fiberglass?

Pam

[Todd Sleeman]

Okay...we are removing the old bent up roof vent frame, and it is adhered to the fiberglass. What can I use to break the adhesive without damaging the fiberglass?

Pam

I just replaced my old vent and had the same problem. There was butyl putty, silicone, and some other stuff (maybe bubble gum) under mine.

I found that a putty knife worked great. After you get it worked under the frame and lift it a little, you can work around the vent. Another possibility is to get a heat gun and apply some heat to it. That might soften up the adhesive. I'd tend to heat the metal frame and let the heat transfer to the adhesive, and start with a low heat and give it time to soften. Excess/misdirected heat could soften the fiberglass as well.

After I got the vent off I scraped it clean with a widget.

[Alf S.]

Okay...we are removing the old bent up roof vent frame, and it is adhered to the fiberglass. What can I use to break the adhesive without damaging the fiberglass?

Pam

Hi: Pamela... Goo Gone worked for me and then a final clean with medical grade alcohol for a nice clean surface to accept the new Butyl seal.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Pamela H]

Hi: Pamela... Goo Gone worked for me and then a final clean with medical grade alcohol for a nice clean surface to accept the new Butyl seal.
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Where do I get the goo gone?

[Pamela H]

I found that a putty knife worked great. After you get it worked under the frame and lift it a little, you can work around the vent.

I guess you don't "pry" it off, just gently slide? my husband is concerned about breaking the fiberglass. How tough is it? Looks pretty easy to break.

Pamela

[Alf S.]

I guess you don't "pry" it off, just gently slide? my husband is concerned about breaking the fiberglass. How tough is it? Looks pretty easy to break.

Pamela

Hi: Goo Gone is avail at most hardware stores and it will remove even those pesky labels that they stick on gifts etc. Prying as much as possible and pushing thru the old stuff with a putty knife to get as much off as poss. Then use the goo gone to remove the surface residue!!! As for the fiberglass it is stronger than you think as these trailers longevity shows!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Graeme]

From the outside I heated it with a heat gun just enough to soften the glue, silicon and bubble gum..... then with the xatco knife and little shots from the heat gun to keep it soft, i slid the blade flat between and cut the bond, then the putty knife

hth

graeme