Rob Edwards

I guess it's better than wood screws into the gas tank, but not by much. I needed to get to the fuel level sender in the GTS (inaccurate gas gauge), and some installer glued a piece of particle board to the rear deck onto which the amps are mounted. So I shredded the damn board prying it off the glue, it looks like black RTV (?) Any thoughts on how to remove this crap?

zoltan944

heat gun and scrapper. You can also try some Xylene or Mineral Spirits to see if that will break it down too.

Rob Edwards

Thanks Sean, will give it a try, especially since the gas tank's empty right now...

zoltan944

did a drywall screw puncture and drain it?

Rob Edwards

Nope, I'm just a dummy. I mis-installed the trick hose from internal to external fuel pump that Greg fabbed up for me. Had to drain the tank in order to swap the line out. That, and the level sender (I think) is dead because the tank sat empty for a year. Didn't realize it was inop and ran out of gas last month. I need to pull it and check the voltages a la Dwayne:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...nt-w-pics.html


GTS taking a leak:

jon928se

Careful with the heat gun - an empty (just last drops of petrol and lots of vapour) gas tank is a very effective bomb. A full tank is just a fire hazard.

If you don't want to risk the paint can you get a loop of fishing line around the goop then " saw" most of it off ? If you don't mind the scratches use a razor blade or sharp sharp scraper.

blown 87

Bug and tar remover should do the trick.
Really depends on what kind of glue though.

Dave928S

Have experimented with all the solvents available and found acetone works the best of all on silicone sealant. I've used this method to remove truckloads of RTV on glass, pools, pool equipment, construction applications, auto seals, etc, etc. Shouldn't affect the tank, and if you keep a rag wet it makes the edges start loosening and coming off as you rub over it. You need to be persistent and keep rubbing hard and it'll come off. There is no solvent that just dissolves it ... acetone just loosens the bond and allows you to gradually get rid of it. Acetone works the best on most other adhesives as well.
+1 on the heat gun ... don't .. it has a glowing element sometimes!!

Hilton

Have you tried histoclear?

I vaguely recall one of the Limonene-based products I have in the house will allow the removal of silicone.

Rob Edwards

Will bring home some acetone and histoclear, and report back. If I have enough remaining brain cells to type.

Maleficio

Place a small house fan inside the car to blow the vapors out the back as you work.

Dave928S

Some people sniff this stuff for kicks ... you never know you might find it an enjoyable experience.

But ... seriously ...... I use a respirator with organic vapour cartridges (used in spray painting) and it stops everything. Worth getting for use with all solvents ... and you can save all your brain cells for destruction by alcohol

Rob Edwards

I have a 3M filter mask with charcoal cartridges (#7193- same as the ones we use for 'less pleasant' cases at work, FWIW) at one point, I'll have to bust it out for this experiment.

Dave928S

Just remembered another solvent that works even better and makes the silicone wrinkle up and lift ... but it's savage on some plastics and removes paint in a flash so it's a bit/lot riskier. MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) .... which is sold as a pipe cleaner for PVC pipe in plumbing supplies. It's used for cleaning PVC pipe prior to applying the solvent adhesive. It's sold here with a red dye in it so you can see where you've used it on the pipe, but you can get a clear version which I've used. You could try if all else fails ... but you'd have to test that it didn't have a damaging effect on the tank ... and the vapour is nasty.

jpitman2

Some have rendered 'empty' tanks less dangerous by piping another car's exhaust gases through the filler or the gauge hole, to displace the flammable vapours. Or maybe suck air through it with a vacuum cleaner.....not sure about sparks on motor commy though.
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k