Removing VERY Old Covering

[JamieL]

Hello all,

After searching for a pre-discussed solution and coming up dry, I am putting this problem out there for all to ponder, and hopefully share any knowlege or hunch towards a solution.

I have just been given and old Dodgson Vee-Gilante which was in need of a new covering job, so I had at it and started to take off the covering, thinking it would come off in, well, more or less a few pieces. So much for that. Possibly due to the age of the covering it didn't come off nicely at all. In many places, specifically the black bottoms of the wings, the clear plastic component of the covering came off, leaving the black coloured adhesive behind!

I can compare this to taking the price tag off of something only to be left with the tacky mess left from the sticker.

My question is: How do I get this stuff off?

I've tried sanding... no success. I've tried rolling it off with my thumb... no success. I've tried: Using various types of tape pressed on and then peeled off, a small amount of nail polish remover (very worried about melting the foam under the obeechi) and using heat on its own and in compination with tapes... nothing has worked. I've attached a picture of the bottom of one of the wings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[munen123]

How long did you sand for?

I would think that wood will sand just fine, given enough time and energy spent on it.

Maybe use a lower grit paper? :rolleyes:

[equest]

See if this helps you out. Get yourself some acetone and a white cotton cloth/rag or some paper towels. In small sections, soak the rag with some acetone and gently rub the area you want to address. Let the acetone do the work for you, and above all be patient. The acetone should dissolve the glue and help lift off the mylar left behind. Becareful with this stuff wear rubber gloves and do this outdoors. Acetone evaporates quicklly so you may need alot of this stuff if there is alot if work to do.

Equest

[mdennis]

Sand it smooth, use some ultralight spackle/filler and cover it with a dark color or prime it with light color then cover it. Unless you are going to cover it with a transparent covering it won't matter. IMHO

Mark

[kzimmerm]

I've had projects much like yours and would agree to a number of solutions. You can use a course grit sandpaper somewhere around 60 grit. Just be very careful about sanding because you will find that you can remove a lot of material. Acetone also works but will have a tendency to smear the color residue. If you choose that root be prepared to spend more time sanding. You can use a single edge razorblade to scrape off the residue.

Good luck.
Kurt

[JamieL]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas.

Since I don't have any acetone readily available and have never worked with it on its own, I will keep it as a last resort. I will get as much of the stuff off as I can using tapes, and then sand the rest smooth. I'll be using 100 grit sandpaper. Should that be ok? Also, should I be worried about sanding through the wood skin?

Thanks, Jamie.

[munen123]

I think 100 grit will be fine, and yes you do have to worry about sanding too much.

Just go light and try to use a sanding block to keep the surfaces flat.

If you move the sanding block at 45 degree angles to the leading edge you will decrease the chance of sanding a flat spot into the wing.

goodluck :)

[Arkasha]

Try Goo-Gone, a "citrus-based" (their words, not mine) adhesive and other grungy crap remover.

I've not used it to remove covering, but I think it may do the job. At least it won't damage the wings. You can find it in places like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and the like.

[JamieL]

munen: Thanks for the 45 degree tip. I will do that for sure.

Arkasha: I've searched the web sites for Wal-Mart and Home Depot and no results for "Goo-Gone". I'll probably go to the store to see if it just isn't on their web-pages. What section would I find this product in?

Thanks.

[bobby legue]

Go to any hardware store and look in the paint department.
Bob

[kentuckyglider]

Goo Gone works very well for getting off anything sticky, although I haven't been in the hobby long enough to have the problem you're having.

Here's a link to their website so you know what to look for.

http://www.googone.com/products_gg.aspx

Good luck!

KG

[JamieL]

After sanding the surface as directed, I did actually get pretty good results. It was smooth enough that I don't think it would have made any bumps in the next layer of covering. My last worry was that the colour (black) might be visible if I use red covering as planned.

So, I got curious and made a trip to Home Depot to pick up a bottle of Goo Gone. It works great! I wasn't very hopefull as I doubted that it would be any stronger than nailpolish remover, but something in it makes it very effective. For best results I rub it on, wait about 30 seconds to let it work, then just rub the location with my finger and the goo just balls up and comes right off. However, I do find that if you put the stuff on and then come back in say 5 minuts once the area is completely dry again, it's much more difficult.

I've done half of one wing, so when I get at least one entire bottom done I will post another pic of the results.

Cheers, Jamie.

[equest]

Doesn't Goo Gone have an oily residue? I would worry when trying to attach the new covering. It's going to have a hard time sticking to the wood surface. You might not see it now, since it has soaked into the wood grains. I'm just curious.....

[Arkasha]

I'm glad it helped.

[OVSS Boss]

Do not use Goo Gone, it will soak into the wood. it is ok for getting off the tape goo on a wing that is monokoted or such, but not this.

In my book, this is about the worst job in modeling, more power to anyone that has to do it, I have had my share of it.

Marc

[V1VrV2]

I've used a VERY SHARP and NEW single edge razor blade in a plastic holder (sold by =Home Depot, etc.). Hold it 90 degrees to the wood and rub it back and forth, scraping the old covering off and most of the residue. Won't remove wood if done carefully. Follow up with 220 grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. The harder the substrate, the better it works. :rolleyes:

[kzimmerm]

Ever consider using a hot air gun and a scraper?

Kurt

[TLyttle]

I just spent the afternoon getting the (really) old covering off a model... bleah... I used my iron and a scraper, and off came the film, but the glue stayed put... more bleah...

I'm going to try something different; if it works, I'll let you all know.

[2milehighguy]

I have had some success using monokote or other covering scraps I keep in my covering box. Iron it on the problem area let cool and peel off. I just did a huge job on a pair of Cortina wings and it worked great. Good luck .Bob.