Carpet Glue Removal

[Don Middleton]

Had to pull some carpet out of my car. I want to get the interior metal clean of the remaining carpet glue.

What have we found to be the best solvent (best, as in least amount of work) for the job of removing the remnants of carpet glue?

[kurquhart]

Removing capet glue is a real PITA. The common recommendation is 3M adhesive remover, but it can be hard to find (try Tri-City Paint in Miramar). I found the fumes, filter mask, and liquid mess to be almost unbearable.

I found the most effective tool to be an angle grider with a wire wheel attachment. I basically removed the glue via friction. This does take any underlying paint off with it, but so do most of the chemical solutions. This also makes a heck of a mess in the rest of the car due to flying debris.

I went from this:


to this:

[Don Middleton]

Kris, thanks for the feedback. Not what I wanted to hear, but you've confirmed my worst fears.

Anyone got some "magic"?

[kurquhart]

Anyone got some "magic"?

Pay someone else to do it for you. Seriously. I will never, ever attempt this again.

[Don Middleton]

Kris, thanks again. You are definitely convincing me. The "magic" of money sounds like the best I can hope.

[ronaldtrotter]

Don,

Kris is right. Trying to clean out the glue from the 914 was a major problem. Goof off, adhesive remover, then MEK. All worked and melted everything else under it and still made a mess. In the process I killed a lot of brain cells I couldn't afford to lose. The I got the wire wheel and just filled the car with dust (my lungs also until I found my respirator) That worked. If you can pay someone do it like Kris suggested.

Ron

[4est]

I just did it to my 993. I used a heat gun and 1" flexible paint scraper for the big dollups, and then laquer thinner for the remainder. I just poured a 1/2 quart or so in a plastic bucket and dumped a rag in and went to town. I put a fan in the door for ventilation and felt no ill effects. Rubber gloves saves the hand skin, but were clumsy and got old, so I just bare-handed most of it. It took days of 'an hour here and an hour there' but left the underlying paint in place. The spot welds make for a great glue hiding place. I have more time than sense/money, but would have gladly paid someone 10-15 bucks cash an hour to do the job. It does look good, though...

No substitute for elbow grease/sweat equity.

[mrondeau]

Don,
Your local Victor Kemp store (3 locations in San Diego) supply materials for carpet installers. They should have something that will work for removing carpet adhesive. Let them know what you're looking for and they should be able to help you out. The downtown store of F Street # is 619-235-6767 and the store on Carrol Park Drive in Miramar is 858-587-8211. All of our installers get supplies from them. By the way, that's one of the reasons my license plate says "IFLR IT"

[Irksome]

By the way, that's one of the reasons my license plate says "IFLR IT"

Ah, cool, I keep meaning to ask about that, now I know. =)

I came up with several guesses, but I Floor It wasn't one of them!

[elcap00]

I was having trouble with some of the glue---I was using lacquer thinner and when it got "hot" I could not rub it off. My solution was to use lacquer thinner and douse the glue--once the glue got hot I took a piece of packing tape and taped the "hot" glue. When I lifted the tape voila--the glue came with it. It actually worked really well in most places. It came off way cleaner than with a rag and left the paint very much intact.

[PShipman]

Do you know how much weight did you save by this removal?

[elcap00]

I placed the tarmats and sound deading material in a big bag--when it was full I would weigh it and then start over---I got at least 78lbs out with removal of just these items. I also dumped the A/C, heater, sunroof motor, interior paneling, carpets and any wiring I thought I could live without. I am not how much weight I have lost but, I think its going to feel like a new car. This is assuming that I can put it back together and make it run. Still working on it--trying to get is done for Spring Mtn.

[Autobahn]

I have two of these little suckers. They are amazing. It rips the glue and what ever else you can think of right up. Wurth does not mess around when it comes to designing awesome tools, they are little expensive... but you pay for the quality.

http://www.wurthusa.com/project/en/left ... 6.0151.jpg

[glenn_993]

Sean,

Where did you get the Wurth tool? About how much?

[Autobahn]

I picked it up with a bunch Porsche parts a few months ago. I have a Wurth rep I can put you in contact with. They make some really cool tools.