After having some skins replaced on my Cessna 180 Horizontal Stabilizer, I needed to remove the abrasion boots. This left a bunch of rubbery adhesive. Does anyone know what type of adhesive is typically used, and what solvent can be used to remove it?

They are installed with a yellow glue. 3M 1300L.
The best remover in the world for it is Peerco 321. Made specifically for removing 1300L. Doubtful you have any of that.
Napa aerosol spray gasket remover works great but they might only make it in non spray form now.
Aircraft paint stripper works well.
3m general purpose adhesive remove works ok. But not great.
Mek soaked rag works.

That's in order of my preference.

If it was put on with 3M 1300L adhesive (and it probably was) then MEK will work...though I don't know what it will do to paint.

Thanks for the feedback. I will try MEK first because I have it on hand. If it doesn't work too well, I'll try the alternatives.

Toluene from the home hardware store works better than Mek... It softens the glue and let's it ball up and come off.. I've found Mek makes it too soft and it smears.

mmartin1872 wrote:Toluene from the home hardware store works better than Mek... It softens the glue and let's it ball up and come off.. I've found Mek makes it too soft and it smears.

Is that Toluene as in "Tri-Nitro-Toluene"? I hope the formula is a little different. Yes, that would remove the glue, and the paint, and the airplane, and the hangar and the..........
Charles

Nope.. Just straight toluene... Works great on 1300l, and that black goo on the inside of a Cessna... Doesn't affect paint either.. I've used it for thinning down 1300l, to make it spray able, and it works great for doing deice boots... Let the 1300l completely cure on both surfaces.. Then with a rag with toluene on it, just wipe small sections to reactivate the glue.. It lets you work small sections at a time..

I should rephrase that. . I've never had it affect paint. . Test a small area first prior to using on a painted surface

And as a side note, both chemicals (MEK & Tolulene) are very flammable. Never use them near an open flame and be sure to furnish your work area with adequate ventilation.

I have worked with both in large quantities and want to pass this on. There is no such thing as being too safe.

Mike

Easy Riser wrote:And as a side note, both chemicals (MEK & Tolulene) are very flammable. Never use them near an open flame and be sure to furnish your work area with adequate ventilation.

I have worked with both in large quantities and want to pass this on. There is no such thing as being too safe.

Mike

It would probably be a good idea not to use an open flame around tri nitro toluene either. . Lol

MEK removes paint in my experience, also removes brain cells so ventilation is your friend [emoji106]

There are a couple of products I've used on various adhesives, Goof Off and Goo Gone. Both do an admirable job on every adhesive I've ever tried them on without affecting the surface. Don't have any idea whether either will work for your purpose, but they're both available at your friendly local hardware store.

Cary

There was a chemical called Xylene, which took tape residue off very well without damaging paint or gel coat on fiberglass glider wings. For minor removal tasks it is worth a try.