I have some lights which are bonded (Sikaflex) into some fibreglass bodywork which I need to remove as part of an upgrade. The problem is that I did such a good job of bonding them in, that they are almost impossible to remove without damaging the bodywork.

Is there anything which will dissolve old Sikaflex?

heat gun with a wall paper scraper.



dave

Sikaflex is polyurethane therefore when it cures it cross links - therefore solvents shouldn't touch it. Apparently this stuff - N-Methylpyrrolidone will but as to how you get some?

I'd go with the heat gun and scraper or other mechanical method.

JC

I had some accidental success with brake fluid!

Might be worth a try as it doesn't kill GRP.

Chris

My interior panels had been riveted and in some random spots sikaflexed. I want to do it properly so I have removed the panelling. The sikaflex bonded to the aluminium panels much much better than it bonded to the powder coated chassis. So it all came off with the panelling, leaving nice clean powder coating.

So get the old dried sikaflex off I have tried a heat gun and scraper with minimal success. I tried a blow torch and scraper with about the same level of success. I was about to try chemical methods when I spotted the angry grinder with a wire brush. This seemed to be the best method.

If you can get at both sides a cheese-wire approach is probably the best way to separate the lights from the panel.
Then worry about the cleanup when you have some access.

Good luck.

I vaguely remember Gunk (engine cleaner) had some effect on it not dramatic but an effect. In my case it had only recently cured so "mature" sikaflex might be a different problem.

worth a try if you have some kicking around. Wear gloves though as it is nasty stuff (actually I remember it attacking the gloves too!).

Matt

I have sikaflexed my rear lamps to the bodywork, one of which is below the petrol filler so any oversppiled petrol flow onto it and make the black sikaflex or spongey but then it recovers.

hece I would suggest try petrol

Also you can buy small tubes of silicone sealant remover - used that to remove the seal on my land rover windscreens. (yes, plural is correct). Maybe worth a shot.

Else you only option is mechanicl removal: a sharp blade or a dremel grindy type thing.

i cleaned some spillage of sikaflex with white spirit from powder coat, however it wasn't completely dry.