Door Seal Glue Removal

[TTaylor]

Getting ready to replace the seal, but it looks like the glue as not been removed for several seals in the past.  It is about 1/4" thick or more in some areas.   What is the best way to remove the old glue? 

[kerry]

I scraped mine off with a modified knife.

[Lood]

+1. Lots of elbow grease and some thinners.

[Steve65E-NC]

      I have done this job a number of times.  I think the materials referenced below are those generally recommended. 

 

      I used 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner Part No 08984.  It works well at softening and cleaning away old adhesive and does not seem to attack paint.  Some scraping of softened adhesive might be required but I recommend doing that scraping with a shaped wooden stick (paint stirrer) and not metal.   I was careful not to get any on plexi, but do not know how it might affect that plastic.    I definitely would not recommend  thinners like Lacquer Thinner, Acetone, and particularly not MEK.

 

    The adhesive I used was 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive Black Part No. 08011.  I think it is also available in a yellow color.    Just hope this is what earlier installers used.  If they used their imagination in chosing an adhesive then you may be left with more aggressive  scraping.

 

    Both the 3M Cleaner and the 3M Adhesive work together and are avaliable at most any Auto Paint store or industrial supply house for reasonable prices.

[garytex]

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner Part No 08984.

Steve is right. That's the good stuff

[Danb]

I did mine last yr and totally agree with Steve, other than wooden appliances I also used plastic scrapers etc. even tougher getting the new one right, I changed mine twice, the MSc did it first made it worse than I did the job. Patience patience a heat gun is invaluable. Inch at a time

[N201MKTurbo]

The original solvent was TCE. you can still get it as CRC Brake parts cleaner in the red can.

The toxic stuff always works the best....

[201er]

Goo off and mostly just a lot of elbow grease.

[BorealOne]

+1 on the adhesive remover. There's a tool the pros use that will certainly reduce the amount of elbow grease required. A '3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel' installs on a cordless drill, and is basically a rotary rubber eraser. There are also Dremel variations on the same theme. Works like a charm!

[Danb]

Who have tried air seals in there bird, and when on the ground uninflated does it allow water when it's raining . I have had 3 seals in 7 yrs the I have now works very good.noise reduction and fatigue being related still spawns my interest, never had an experienced answer

[orionflt]

When I did mine there must have been 50 yrs of adhesive built up on it, I tried thinners, goof off and scrapers, they all sorta worked but I couldn't get right down to the bare metal. I finally took the drastic step and got out the rotary wheel with a 3m disk, this was taking it off but I would eat up a disk every few inches....I got desperate and broke out the wire wheel (brass not steel) with in 1/2 hour I had the door totally cleaned up and looking almost new, ready for the new seal. I tell you this but want to caution you if you do use a brass wire wheel be very careful, you can destroy your door very quickly if you are not careful not only will it take off the adhesive, but it will take off metal also. I used it as a last resort when my other options failed, I also have experience using highly abrasive methods to remove material from aluminum. Good luck with your project, and remember to wear the proper safety equipment for the job.

[Marauder]

Who have tried air seals in there bird, and when on the ground uninflated does it allow water when it's raining . I have had 3 seals in 7 yrs the I have now works very good.noise reduction and fatigue being related still spawns my interest, never had an experienced answer

Dan -- I will pump the bulb a few times on the ground and close the door to make sure it is sealed. I'm not sure you can do that on the electrical version. By the way, my pneumatic seal has been on the plane since 1988... I replace the tubing and bulb every 5 years or so.

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[markm20b]

+1 for Goof Off and a plastic scrapper.