stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: jamtx on August 18, 2006, 08:23:47 PM
-
Hello eveyone, new to the forum. Looks like a good place to find out things and watch the smiley shows :)
What would be the best way of removing old silkspan that is stuck good?
James
-
A couple of local folk did this a few months ago. Get a bunch of MEK from Home Depot (or Lowe's, or . . .), a putty knife and a couple of rolls of paper towels. Lay several thicknesses of paper towels across the surface to be stripped and soak with MEK. Let it soak for 5 - 20 minutes; some experimentation will be required, and it may be necessary to re-wet the area. THe silkspan should peel off in sheets, and fairly easily. Areas that are really stuck down may require gentle persuasion with the putty knife. At first, don't try to do more than 1 square foot at a time; you may be able to increase this area as you become more proficient. Don't substitute Acetone for the MEK; it evaporates too fast. Patience helps. Good luck.
-
Please take this as intended. When we post on subjects that have some inherent dangers, I thinks it's prudent to also include "Safety Advice" along with our posts. We don't know the level of experience and education of some of the folks who are asking advice. For all we know Jamtx could be a chemist with a PhD and knows everthing about handling solvents and this presents no problem but he could also be a highly successful account with a three degrees but no real chemical knowledge. This could lead to real serious problems. I have a good friend who nearly died breathing solvent paint fumes... lack of proper safe guards and practices.
Do you all agree or am I being nit picking?
-
Dick You are exactly RIGHT Always do anything like this outdoors and take precautions. I would even use a chemical mask outdoors doing this sort of operation
. Try your best to NOT breathe the fumes
Randy
-
Please take this as intended. When we post on subjects that have some inherent dangers, I thinks it's prudent to also include "Safety Advice" along with our posts. We don't know the level of experience and education of some of the folks who are asking advice. For all we know Jamtx could be a chemist with a PhD and knows everthing about handling solvents and this presents no problem but he could also be a highly successful account with a three degrees but no real chemical knowledge. This could lead to real serious problems. I have a good friend who nearly died breathing solvent paint fumes... lack of proper safe guards and practices.
Do you all agree or am I being nit picking?
I agree 100 percent.
My ex-wife is a chemist and kept me alive longer than our marriage. <=
MEK, Acetone, and many of the substances we handle when building, flying, or repairing our planes can be very dangerous substances. Please read the caution labels.
Thanks for the reminder, Dick.
-
Dick, Randy, and Ron - - Y'all are 100% correct. I honestly meant to include all the strictures about "Work outdoors!" and "Stay Upwind!" and just plain forgot to add them when I finished the mechanical aspects of the job, and then again when I re-read the post. Mea culpa maxima!
For that matter, it would probably be a good idea to wear Rubbermaid® Gloves, too.
-
Thanks everyone for the help. Thats what i'll do, we always have a nice little breeze in west Tex.
James
-
A *little* late here, but I use "Dad's Stripper" that I get from Wal Mart. Do follow the precautions on the can, but it takes less and works great! So far it has removed everything that I have tried it on, but it will eat plastic canopies. y1
Bill <><