Upholstery Panels and Glue Removal

[Chachi7565]

Hi, I just bought a great RV-8A. The upholstery panels are a little old/worn, dating from when the aircraft was new (2008). Looking through pictures on this site, I really like the clean look of the cockpit without side panels. Most of mine are velcroed in, but the ones near the front are glued in - see picture.

I'm interested in two things: does removing the panels significantly increase the noise level? I'm guessing no, otherwise many of you wouldn't keep the clean look.

If I decide to remove them, any thoughts on how to remove this glue? It seems to be pretty robust.

Thanks!

 

[wirejock]

You might try RapidTac Rapid Remover
It's designed to remove vinyl adhesive residue. It really works. Apply it. Wait a minute. Adhesive wipes right off.
No idea if it will work on other adhesives.

 

[Chachi7565]

You might try RapidTac Rapid Remover
It's designed to remove vinyl adhesive residue. It really works. Apply it. Wait a minute. Adhesive wipes right off.
No idea if it will work on other adhesives.

Any idea if it would also strip the paint?

 

[wirejock]

Any idea if it would also strip the paint?

I doubt it. It's designed to remove adhesive on cars and trucks. It smells a little like a citrus based product. Find a local vinyl shop and ask for a small sample

 

[lucas2696]

That looks like it might be 3M 1300L. Real nasty stuff. Aircraft Door Seals (Knots 2U) sells Peerco 321 by the pint, an adhesive remover designed specifically for 1300L. It works pretty well, may require multiple applications if the adhesive is really thick. 1300L also comes off pretty well with MEK, but that has a much higher chance of attacking the paint as well.

 

[chrisskymaster]

I fly an rv-14a that I built. No side panels. I fly with ANR headsets. That solves the noise problem.

 

[fixnflyguy]

I believe a lot of folks believe the noise levels are lowered with foam/fabric, but with todays headsets ( I use the in ear Halos) , I doubt noise levels are any concern. I too like the clean simple smooth interiors, so for my RV-4 that I built, I fabricated simple, super light. 020" aluminum side panels that cover all the wire runs, rudder cables, flap arms and pitot lines. They screw into small angles and nut plates. In the areas that the side skins are exposed, I painted same color as panels. You will likely wreck your paint removing the glue, and need to repaint, or make thin aluminum inserts that are painted and velcro them in similar to what you have. here is my solution in the RV-4

 

[Scott Hersha]

Goo gone. I’ve had good luck with this stuff:

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[Chachi7565]

I believe a lot of folks believe the noise levels are lowered with foam/fabric, but with todays headsets ( I use the in ear Halos) , I doubt noise levels are any concern. I too like the clean simple smooth interiors, so for my RV-4 that I built, I fabricated simple, super light. 020" aluminum side panels that cover all the wire runs, rudder cables, flap arms and pitot lines. They screw into small angles and nut plates. In the areas that the side skins are exposed, I painted same color as panels. You will likely wreck your paint removing the glue, and need to repaint, or make thin aluminum inserts that are painted and velcro them in similar to what you have. here is my solution in the RV-4

Nice, that looks great!

 

[Chachi7565]

Goo gone. I’ve had good luck with this stuff:

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

I've seen this before, but it's more for sticky residue, right? Have you used it on dried adhesive?

 

[Roadjunkie1]

I believe a lot of folks believe the noise levels are lowered with foam/fabric, but with todays headsets ( I use the in ear Halos) , I doubt noise levels are any concern. I too like the clean simple smooth interiors, so for my RV-4 that I built, I fabricated simple, super light. 020" aluminum side panels that cover all the wire runs, rudder cables, flap arms and pitot lines. They screw into small angles and nut plates. In the areas that the side skins are exposed, I painted same color as panels. You will likely wreck your paint removing the glue, and need to repaint, or make thin aluminum inserts that are painted and velcro them in similar to what you have. here is my solution in the RV-4

Yep! I concur..........

 

[Roadjunkie1]

I've seen this before, but it's more for sticky residue, right? Have you used it on dried adhesive?

There is also a thicker nearly-jell form of either GooGone or GoofOff that works as well but will 'cling' to vertical surfaces more than the much thinner liquid. Look for that. I have a bottle in the hangar............. It does work on dried adhesive.

 

[Bearman]

Looks like contact cement. I've redone a few interiors and about the quickest thing is MEK but it will take off primer/paint.

 

[Scott Hersha]

I've seen this before, but it's more for sticky residue, right? Have you used it on dried adhesive?

Worked well for me on old dried adhesive. It might depend on what adhesive you are dealing with. I’ve used goo gone and goof off. I found the goo gone to work better in my case.

 

[Chachi7565]

To update this post: I tried a number of things that you all recommended. "Goo Gone" is citrus-based and smells nice, but is not strong enough to remove the dried adhesive. "Goof Off Pro Strength" is pretty noxious, but works very well and dissolves the dried adhesive. I've tested both on the interior paint, and neither damaged the paint.

 

[Roadjunkie1]

To update this post: I tried a number of things that you all recommended. "Goo Gone" is citrus-based and smells nice, but is not strong enough to remove the dried adhesive. "Goof Off Pro Strength" is pretty noxious, but works very well and dissolves the dried adhesive. I've tested both on the interior paint, and neither damaged the paint.

For future reference (or now, if needed): the thicker "Adhesive Gunk Remover Gel" is made by Goof Off. I agree with you: Goo Gone is for things that don't need the fighting power of Goof Off. Wait.............am I in a commercial........?