how to clean windscreen bonding residue?

[david151]

I have purchased a second hand windscreen from the scrapyard. The scrapper removed it, but the old windscreen bonding residue will need cleaning from it. The residue is rock solid in a thick layer all the way round the windscreen.

I don't want to use a blade to cut it, for fear of scratching / slipping - plus it won't take it off to the glass. Is there some sort of chemical that will remove it? I was thinking maybe petrol or carb cleaner? I even thought about using brake fluid, as that's really nasty stuff and seems to remove almost anything - or is this a really crazy idea?

What do people suggest?

[AW111]

I have used a hardwood scraper before (made from scrap and sharpened with a chisel) to get the bulk of it off, then solvent for tge final clean.

[227bhp]

It depends how thick it is. A new Stanley knife blade will do thinner bits and it won't scratch if used sensibly, it's what I would use.
I don't know of a chemical that will melt that stuff very easily, paint thinners may do a bit, but i'd be wary of it attacking the plastic core too.

[david151]

AW111 said:

I have used a hardwood scraper before (made from scrap and sharpened with a chisel) to get the bulk of it off, then solvent for tge final clean.

What solvent do you use to get the final off? Also do you have any pictures of your scraper?

[227bhp]

Standard thinners.

[AW111]

david151 said:

What solvent do you use to get the final off? Also do you have any pictures of your scraper?

I can't remember the solvent - some sort of thinners.
The scraper was about 1" wide, 6" long and about 1/2 - 1/4" thick, sharpened at one end - basically a wooden chisel.

[S0 What]

A new stanley blade , never found anything that will disolve the propper eurathane sealant (maybe the 3M stuff would, never tried it) and TBH new sealant sticks well to the old stuff, i have used a wire wheel in a drill to get it off before for rust treatment ect but it ruins the wheel! just trim the old sealant back to a thin bead then re seal, fitted laods of 2nd hand screens and never had to or wanted to totaly clean the old stuff off.

[Glassman]

david151 said:

I have purchased a second hand windscreen from the scrapyard. The scrapper removed it, but the old windscreen bonding residue will need cleaning from it. The residue is rock solid in a thick layer all the way round the windscreen.

I don't want to use a blade to cut it, for fear of scratching / slipping - plus it won't take it off to the glass. Is there some sort of chemical that will remove it? I was thinking maybe petrol or carb cleaner? I even thought about using brake fluid, as that's really nasty stuff and seems to remove almost anything - or is this a really crazy idea?

What do people suggest?

What car is it for/from?

Picture of the old sealant will be useful. Most cases, a single edge blade in a retractable/lockable holder will usually work to remove cured PUR, butyl and composite sealants.

[david151]

S0 What said:

A new stanley blade , never found anything that will disolve the propper eurathane sealant (maybe the 3M stuff would, never tried it)

What 3m stuff are you referring to?

[HustleRussell]

Don't get too hung up about getting all of it off. It'll be really hard work and you risk taking the black surround transfer off with it. Slice the worst of it off. The new sealant will adhere perfectly.

[S0 What]

david151 said:

S0 What said:

A new stanley blade , never found anything that will disolve the propper eurathane sealant (maybe the 3M stuff would, never tried it)

What 3m stuff are you referring to?

This stuff
http://www.force4.co.uk/3m-adhesive-cleaner.html?u...

Heard it's good but also heard thinners will remove 99% of what it does for less money BUT thinners may well damage the paint underneath, depends on what paint it is under the sticky stuff ?