Removing glue from graphite.

[CAT3K]

I've got this Corally graphite chassis that i'm trying to clean up. Unfortunately it's got a fair bit of superglue near the cell trays and someone has glued a piece of lexan to the front part too. What i'd like to know is: Is it safe to use acetone on a graphite chassis, in particular Corally graphite? I'm a little worried it might attack the chassis as well as the glue.


Thanks,
Paul

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Acetone I've heard is safe. I bought some for a graphite chassis cleaning project over a year ago, but have yet to try it. One of these days...

[jwscab]

usually acetone is safe on carbon fiber composites, as the epoxy or polyester isn't affected by acetone. If in doubt, use a rag or swab and apply by hand and pick the glue off as it softens and loses adhesion. Or just try it out on a small section that might be covered up by a bulkhead or something. the solvent doesn't stick around forever, so it won't keep damaging the material.

[limestang]

Do you know what type of glue it is (Epoxy, Rubber Cement, etc...)?

[CAT3K]

Do you know what type of glue it is (Epoxy, Rubber Cement, etc...)?

It looks and feels like superglue, I think you guys might call it Cyano?

[limestang]

Acetone will melt the glue, but now sure if it will affect the graphite in any way. I would try a test spot and see what happens. Good luck!

[littleVETTE]

try removing it first with a new razor blade. most of the time it just cracks and gets removed.

[THUNDERSTRIKE1]

Use a q-tip and dabb some only on the glue til it starts softening and pick at it til its all off.If haft to dabb some more on the glue itself and let sit til soften and pick at it somemore.Less like to have an adverse reaction this way.DON

[CAT3K]

Thanks for the advice guys. I tried going slow and steady, but this glue was not for softening easily. I ended up putting the chassis in a sealed plastic bag with a small tub of acetone in with it. The fumes did their work and softened it enough to rub away. It took about an hour to soften.

There are still a few marks under where the glue was, but i'm happy how it turned out, better than it was by miles.

Here's how it turned out.



And almost finished with the cell trays it's hard to see any marks.



Paul

[THEYTOOKMYTHUMB]

Looks great, and thanks for the update. I think I'll hit mine this weekend. For once we have no plans for the entire weekend.

[THUNDERSTRIKE1]

Awsume lookin brand new now!!! DON

[Coelacanth]

Thanks for the advice guys. I tried going slow and steady, but this glue was not for softening easily. I ended up putting the chassis in a sealed plastic bag with a small tub of acetone in with it. The fumes did their work and softened it enough to rub away. It took about an hour to soften.

Turned out great, Paul. So you just let the acetone fumes inside the plastic bag soften the glue, or did you put acetone directly on the glued areas?

[CAT3K]

Turned out great, Paul. So you just let the acetone fumes inside the plastic bag soften the glue, or did you put acetone directly on the glued areas?

It was fumes only, i initially tried small amounts applied direct, but the stuff evaporates so quickly it did very little.

Basically, i had a large grip seal bag (12" x 8") which was big enough to fit this 12th scale chassis. To start with i placed a small plastic tub (without lid) filled with acetone inside the bag, then placed the chassis on top of the plastic tub so it was not being touched by the acetone directly. Then i sealed the bag and left it for an hour or so. The good thing about being inside a clear plastic bag is that you can see what's happening, and have a feel of the glue without opening the bag up.

Paul

[littleVETTE]

very nice. those corally's are some of my favorite 12 scalers.

[328isjohn]

I took my RC10 graphite chassis to work today to clean the glue and left over double sided tape off...I used a product called Dykem layout blue remover to get it all off....It worked great.
http://www.dymon.com/1219/dykem/remover-and-cleaner/remover-and-cleaner