3M Weatherstrip Adhesive

[Mike Andrew]

I am replacing sunroof seals & am pulling my hair out trying to remove this dam adhesive from the panel & body. I have tried various solvents with no luck. Gasket remover works, but a test area on the roof panel reveals paint damage/ clouding as a result.
Any ideas for sure fire removal so I can get this task accomplished??

[wholberg]

3M recommends using a hair dryer to soften the adhesive and/or using 3M weather strip "release agent". An excerpt from an automotive site is below. Good Luck!

"When removing weatherstrip that has been glued in place, use a hair-dryer and/or an adhesive release agent.

It is important to heat the old old glue so it becomes pliable.
Find a place where the weather-strip is loose; then pull enough to raise the weatherstrip but not tear it. Then start heating the channel to the left or right of the loose spot. As the channel warms, the glue should give way, and the weather-strip should easily separate from the car.
If your weather-strip is stubborn(as ours was on our test car) apply a release agent(such as 3M #8971). Always carefully follow the instructions and precautions on any product you use"

[KTL]

Try the 3M stuff mentioned. I get this stuff @ Ace Hardware.



It works pretty good. Doesn't harm the paint. You just have to be patient & let it work it's job.

Spread the solvent on the dried glue with a tiny paint brush and wait a minute or two. Scrape off the softened glue and reapply another dose of solvent with the brush. Continue the procedure 'til you're satisfied.

Use the 3M stuff cautiously. It'll eat your skin a bit and the smell ain't too pleasant either.

[Willem Fick]

I've had some success with mineral turpentine when removing glue. Dab it on liberally, allow to penetrate, and then wipe off! Finish off the job with detergent to remove the oily residue left by the turpentine. Turpentine doesn't damage paintwork, nor your skin.

Cheers!

Willem Fick

[WMichelsen]

For all rubber weather strips/seals/gaskets adhesive, the prevailing advise seems to be 3M 08001 (yellow) or 08008 (black).

While that works very well, it seems nearly impossible to remove. I have tried many solvents (acetone, mineral spirits, goo-gone, goof-off, 3M 08984 adhesive cleaner). None of them touch it. The old solvents I've read about (ex. 3M 08971 adhesive release, etc) are no longer available. That's probably for good reason, but kinda sucks.

If you're certain to -never- need to remove these seals and clean the channels, then 3M adhesive is still pretty good. But, I'm not that confident.

Instead, is good old contact cement OK? Has anyone tried it? Is there a potential downside?
It seems to adhere well to metal and rubber. And, it can be removed with mineral spirits.