Removing glue from behind white vinyl on pillars

[hockeymatrix]

Hello all. I am restoring the inside of my '77 Riviera. I have pulled all of the white vinyl that was stuck onto the pillars around all of the windows. There is a residue of old glue that completely resists rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, and acetone. It appears organic, and it chips and is brown in color. Does anyone have any ideas how to remove this glue from Hell? Thx, Ron

[BYeaton]

I haven't found anything to work well either. So I'm also interested to see what people say. I assume you'd like to maintain the OG paint underneath the glue? I am sanding down and repainting on my bus.

[busdaddy]

A Laquer thinner soaked rag held up against it for a while will help, cover it with tin foil and tape it on. Once it's softer a 3M Stripe off wheel (or similar off brand) should do it. A heat gun also helps soften it up.

Worst case scenario a paint stripper wheel will get it off, but the paint underneath will suffer.
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[CanStan]

I went through the same when I converted my Transporter to a Westy interior, and removed the vinyl to install a wooden headliner and wall panels. Nothing I tried even came close to removing it. I ended up sanding it down and spraying the area around the windows with some code-matched spray paint cans. It turned out pretty nice I thought. I guess it depends how much you value that original paint underneath.

[hockeymatrix]

I contacted 3M about adhesives and the rep said that once it gets this dry nothing will work. Since I will likely repaint the pillars, perhaps I'll use a wheel or sand it down.

My local shop said toluene or ethanol might work...but quite dangerous to work with.

What do you prefer to use to sand if you're reading this?

[hockeymatrix]

[secretsubmariner]

[CanStan]

Any decent auto body supply shop should be able to make you spray cans if you give them the correct paint code. Usually for around $20. It's not the greatest way in the world to do it, but I don't have access to a proper paint gun and setup, so it was my best option. If you're doing a Westy where curtains cover the majority of that painted area around the windows anyway, most people would never notice the quality of your paint job.

[busdaddy]

Depends on if you are a cheapskate, or don't mind a couple extra bucks for the right stuff. A local autobody paint store can mix it, and most of the time they can put it in a spray can as well, but don't expect to get away paying hardware store prices.

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[raygreenwood]

If the adhesive is dry and dusty...use a fine wire wheel.

If its still rubbery....50/50 mix basic mineral spirts (xylene) and acetone. Wet the rag and soak it. wipe up with paper towels and do not spread it around.

Both of these take work either way. Ray

[hockeymatrix]

[Bulli Klinik]

I'm going through this process on my Vanagon Westy. I've found that using slow reducer and some coarse steel wool is effective. The slow reducer stays wetter, longer instead of drying quickly like acetone. Once it's scrubbed, I wipe it off with a reducer soaked rag.

Good luck!
_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[hockeymatrix]

[avoll]

I used a wire wheel to bare metal, but I painted whole inside.
MEK will take anything off, but will remove paint also.
Maybe try sanding it off also.

[Bulli Klinik]

[raygreenwood]