What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Removing old blue plastic

Skiddster

I'm New Here
I am the third owner of my kit and it is almost finished and getting ready to paint. I started removing the blue plastic protector and as some of it has been on for 20 years, it does not want to come off. I use a heat gun to soften it up but some of it will only come off in tiny 1/4 inch pieces.

Has anyone found a good way to remove the stubborn blue plastic?
 
Solvent and heat

I had a few bits like this. I soaked a cloth in solvent (lacquered thinner if I recall) and laid it on the plastic, then covered it with a bin bag to prevent evaporation. Let sit it over night, in the morning with a little help from a hair dryer it came off.

You can reuse the cloth.
 
Let the part set in sunlight to soften the plastic, then start wrapping the plastic around a broom handle or small diameter PVC pipe, to keep a uniform (non-sheering) peel going. When done use a utility knife to slice the blue plastic off the broom handle.
 
Back
Top