Removing balsamic/coverloc

[Gareth Bryant]

Any ideas what’s the best way to remove balsamic left behind after removing covering? It’s on abs abs nosecone, so worried about chemicals or heat. Used it to hold down covering on some concave bits around windows, bit it looks awefull, so want to remove it and use paint instead.

[Denis Watkins]

Gareth, I believe you mean the residue left behind on the balsa

The trouble is that balsaloc soaks in and to sand it away could make the wood thinner and weaker

Lightly sand the area, remove all the dust, prime the surface then paint it

[paul d]

Gareth, try using lighter fluid, perfectly safe on and, I use it for all sorts of spot cleaning jobs around the house and car.

[will -0]

balsaloc as in the white glue stuff? I thini it's PVA based in which case soaking it in water should soften it/disolve it

[bert baker]

Try WD40 spray oil

[Bob Cotsford]

Gaz, have you tried using parcel tape to lift off the residue? Press the tape firmly onto the offending area and then peel off, with luck it will lift the residue away. Off course if it really is balsamic you could try rubbing it with a lettuce leaf

[Gareth Bryant]

Holy crap! Just re read my post! Apologies, I mean balsa loc! Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Will try small sections of different remedies, see what works best.

[will -0]

Do let us know what works, especially if it turns out to be the lettuce leaf

[David Holland 2]

Aw, nuts. I have been desperately fighting the urge to make a childish comment like " have you tried rubbing it with ciabatta dipped in olive oil", then Bob goes and destroys my resolve !! Gareth, did you use Prymol before the balsaloc? If not it should almost peel off.

Good luck,

David

[Gareth Bryant]

Well, I tried them all with no success! Ended up sanding it all off. Not sure what it’s made of, but it’s tough and very sticky. ( Product is called ‘Coverloc ‘ by five star adhesives) Even tried enamel thinners, and petrol, just softened it into a sticky mush. All off now, will try to remedy properly over the weekend. Just in case anyone is wondering, it’s the nose of an A400M, from abs so not a small area, fuselage diameter is about 12”. Will post a few pics another time. I’m off to munch on some lettuce.

[onetenor]

Hence lighter fluid. Once mushy add lighter fluid or meths/ methanol which should lift it or even more of what you've used already which should lift it

[onetenor]

it seems like the glue used on car stickers which responds to repeated rubbing with petrol soaked rags but patience is a virtue Even in small things.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Don't know if it would work, but might be worth a try in future, sticky stuff remover.

[Steve Hargreaves - Moderator]

I was tempted to change the thread name but after seeing Bob Cs comment I think I'll leave it just as it is....