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drh1965 · 17-10-2007, 12:26

A former owner of my boat but what looks like a gray, stick-on, non-skid pad in the head. The stuff now looks awful and is peeling in places. Is there a simple way to get this stuff off?

**Pblais** · 17-10-2007, 13:58

Depends on what they used to put it on with. Perhaps it was put on with contact cement and not properly prepared explaining why it is peeling up. My guess would be gettinmg off won't be easy to do and have a totally clean surface to start with again. You may have to chip it off and come up with a different application. It may be cheaper to attempt to build a new sole over the old one since getting it 100% off is going to leave in about the same sad shape you are in now. What was underneath probably looked worse than this stuff or at least to the previous owner bent on a quick solution rather than a real fix.

Cutting out the floor and starting over from the hull up might result in something nice.

**Boracay** · 17-10-2007, 15:23

See if you can work out what it is and what it is stuck on with.

If it is soft or flexible then it may scrape off. Follow all safety rules if trying solvents.

If it is hard and stiff then it may sand off.

For something very small I'd think about a Dremel type tool, then going up in size through the various power sanders.

rtbates · 17-10-2007, 16:06

HEAT it up with a heatgun/hairdryer. I bet it lifts right off. Use any solvent to remove the remaining adhesive...

drh1965 · 17-10-2007, 17:32

The stuff has a soft (almost gooey) consistency. Its about a 14" square. In the spots that it peeled off, there isn't much residue. I'll try a heat gun before resorting to anything more extreme.

Thanks guys!

drh1965 · 21-10-2007, 20:37

The heat gun worked well... I'm not done and the job is tedious but the heat does break the bond and allow the stuff to be scraped off without much residue.

Moonchaser2304 · 21-10-2007, 21:05

Anyone what that solvent is that takes the gum off after a retail label leaves goo? I want to think it was something like actually "go be gone"? I recall thinking it was good (last time I had some) because it did not hurt any surface I tried it on where acetone did

Lancerbye · 21-10-2007, 22:55

Contact cement cleaner might work or nail polish remover. I have had sucess with baby oil or vegtable oil, depends on the base .

beetle · 21-10-2007, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonchaser2304

Anyone what that solvent is that takes the gum off after a retail label leaves goo? I want to think it was something like actually "go be gone"? I recall thinking it was good (last time I had some) because it did not hurt any surface I tried it on where acetone did

You mean this?