Removing rubber from chassis?

[shane]

Hey guys,
I have an A stamp chassis that is in real nice condition. The only problem is the underside of the chassis is coated with spray-on Plasti Dip coating. I thought I would be able to just peel it of with my fingernail, but that isn't working (this stuff is stuck on good) and I don't want to try to scrape it off for fear of scratching the chassis. If the chassis were in bad shape, I would not mind scraping, but this chassis is to nice to take a risk doing that.
I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation. Will acetone or paint thinner work (or somehting else)? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[drbelleville]

Have you tried it on a small section (Nail polish remover, paint thinner) ?

[jwscab]

the msds for the thinner for plasti-dip is toluene and naptha, so those might work, but I dunno if it undergoes a chemical reaction as it hardens(might just be a laquer like substance, just hardens as the solvent evaps)

the stuff is rated to 200 degrees F, so you might be able to bake it off, say maybe run it at 300 degrees and see if the stuff cracks, peels or starts to lift. shouldn't hurt the aluminum at all as long as you stay under 300 degrees I'd think....I forget where they solution harden 6061 at, temp wise....I'll have to look.

EDIT: I scare myself sometimes.....I checked into 6061 hardening and aging.....happens anywhere from 320 F to 350F, if you run it up that hot, you'll just age it a little more, no harm, as annealing takes place up near 800 F, followed by a cool down to 500 F.

[shane]

Thanks guys. I havn't tried anything yet, but I will first try the fingernail polish remover (when the ol'lady gets home. I can't find it right now) and if that doesn't work, I'll bake it (didn't even think about that, thanks Joe).

[jwscab]

fingernail polish is a weak acetone solution......you can pick up some toluene at home depot or lowes which is a tougher solvent.

actually, carb or brake cleaner (the non 'green' stuff) usually has toluene and xylene, which would probably work equally well. check the ingredients if you have some.

[shane]

Thanks again Joe. I'm off to the man-cave, I know I've got carb. and break cleaner somewhere.

[Coelacanth]

How about a heat gun? I've had great results removing stickers, decals & such from hard, smooth surfaces with a few careful passes of a heat gun.

[shane]

I was thinking that too, as the ol'lady won't be happy with the smell of burning/melting rubber in the house.

[drbelleville]

How about a heat gun? I've had great results removing stickers, decals & such from hard, smooth surfaces with a few careful passes of a heat gun.

+1

I use this also to soften old Double Sided Sticky servo tape. But I also had success removing the old wrinkly finish off my 1/5 scale Pipe. I used a "soft" plastic spatula so I would not scratch the aluminium of the pipe.

[greene-r74]

+2 on heatgun

Ive used a propane torch to remove powder coat before. Heat on that stuff should make it come right off.

[realoldschooldude]

How about a heat gun? I've had great results removing stickers, decals & such from hard, smooth surfaces with a few careful passes of a heat gun.

+1

[drbelleville]

Any updates or pics?

[shane]

I have to borrow a heat gun from my dear ol'Dad. Should have it in two days. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[shodog]

I would imagine some jasco paint remover would do the trick without taking off the annodization

[shane]

Any updates or pics?

Heat gun worked perfect. I softened one spot and than I was able to just peel the whole layer of rubber off.