Removing Glue

[8429]

Sold the engine and prop but my Wife and I decided to keep the Cessna 140 air frame and restore it. Will take us probably 18 months to complete the restoration and when finished will probably hang a O-200 on it. Removed the headliner today and the interior cabin is completely corrosion free but covered in glue. I started trying to remove it with first acetone and then mineral spirits....there has to be a better way.............My wife and I finished up our Sparrow Hawk restoration a couple of months ago and have been looking for another light two place to restore. Looks like the C-140 will fill the bill nicely. When I bought the plane I had no idea how nice it would turn out to be with no corrosion and no hail damage. Perfect candidate for restoration. The aft gearbox bulkhead will take me around two weeks to repair and all along we will be working on cleaning up the air frame and taking care of all the small repairs and items that need attention.....................We have restored a number of aircraft and are looking forward to doing this one. Here are some photos of the interior sheet metal with the headliner removed and also a link to our Sparrow Hawk we just finished. The Sparrow Hawk cruises at 110 knots an climbs at 1,000 FPM.

Sparrow Hawk Photos:
https://stevedunn.smugmug.com/Sparrow-Hawk/

Interior photos C-140

[6643]

Steve:
I'm glad to hear you have decided to restore the airframe. While I probably would have taken a different tack on the engine, I guess now you have some free cash to work with on the airframe.

We have a resident expert on interiors and hopefully they will chime in, but the first thing I'd try is a product called "Goo Gone." I've used it on other projects with good results. In case that doesn't work, Brakleen seems to work on a lot of the stuff Goo-gone won't touch. You'll need a fan and a mask, though... Citri-strip might work, too, but it'll also take any paint off as well.

You might want to consider starting a thread devoted to the restoration and keep a running "blog" going there. I can change the subject line on this thread for you if you want this to be the start, and also move it to the correct forum.

[6183]

MEK works, but it's nasty stuff, and you need plenty of ventilation plus protection against your bare skin. It will remove the old glue, but it may take several applications. Please don't let your wife touch any MEK she's too good to be around that stuff, but you'll do okay.

John mentioned using some paint stripper, and I have to agree. Try some of that stuff you've used to see if it cuts it.

[5099]

MEK works, but it's nasty stuff, and you need plenty of ventilation plus protection against your bare skin. It will remove the old glue, but it may take several applications. Please don't let your wife touch any MEK she's too good to be around that stuff, but you'll do okay.

John mentioned using some paint stripper, and I have to agree. Try some of that stuff you've used to see if it cuts it.

I don’t understand the MEK problem. I’ve used MEK for years. Even inside large aircraft fuel tanks cleaning for new sealant. MEK hasn’t bothered me None, None, None . . . . . None! I’m just Fine, Fine, Fine.
Is there an echo on this message board?

[6643]

Goo-Gone and Citristrip are fairly benign. I'd try them first.

[6183]

MEK works, but it's nasty stuff, and you need plenty of ventilation plus protection against your bare skin. It will remove the old glue, but it may take several applications. Please don't let your wife touch any MEK she's too good to be around that stuff, but you'll do okay.

John mentioned using some paint stripper, and I have to agree. Try some of that stuff you've used to see if it cuts it.

I don’t understand the MEK problem. I’ve used MEK for years. Even inside large aircraft fuel tanks cleaning for new sealant. MEK hasn’t bothered me None, None, None . . . . . None! I’m just Fine, Fine, Fine.
Is there an echo on this message board?

Congratulations. Got any ideas he can use to remove old glue?

[8429]

Thanks Guy's. I have started keeping a record of the restoration in our "Cessna 150/152 Restorations, Modifications and STC Group" we have so many tail dragger 150s and really old straight tails they have a lot in common with the 140's. Anyone owning a 120/140 especially doing a restoration is welcome to join us , Randy Thompson is already there and helps out a lot. After all the C-120/140 is where it all started. Some of the members own a 140 and a 150.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2195722200708721/

[6298]

I used some General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner a few days ago and it worked well with a fine scotch brite pad. It was an old can I had on the shelf, but worked. Part No. 051135-08987. Not sure if it is still available.

[8429]

John Cooper we ended up keeping the original C-85 and we think the plane will be back in the air in about six months. Other than the aft gear box bulkhead most of the other stuff is minor. My IA is doing the missing 337 and STC for the newly covered wings this week. The exterior cleaning is coming along slowly, time consuming. I am glad it is not a Airstream Trailer from the 1950's.