Methylated spirits ok for removing bike sticker adhesive ?

Raffles

I took a vinyl sticker off my bike using the hot hairdryer method ,there are a few areas where some adhesive was left behind. I read on a site that the stubborn stuff can be removed using meths, anybody able to say if its safe to use that stuff on a carbon frame ?

JonnyJH

Meths will remove the residue adhesive but I would be a little cautious about using it.
It won’t affect the carbon fibre as the resins in that have already been oven cured and will resist it no problem but if there is any paint or lacquers on there it might damage those.
A far safer way of getting rid would be something like paraffin or kerosene, something along those lines. They will dissolve it just as easy and won’t do any harm to any plastics or paints etc.

Source: I work with this kind of stuff every day.

Raffles

JonnyJH wrote:

Meths will remove the residue adhesive but I would be a little cautious about using it.
It won’t affect the carbon fibre as the resins in that have already been oven cured and will resist it no problem but if there is any paint or lacquers on there it might damage those.
A far safer way of getting rid would be something like paraffin or kerosene, something along those lines. They will dissolve it just as easy and won’t do any harm to any plastics or paints etc.

Source: I work with this kind of stuff every day.

Would petrol do the job safely ?

JonnyJH

Hummmm, petrol can still be quite nasty so I might avoid it. Equally diesel probably won’t shift it. White spirit is prob a good second best though
The other problem with alcohols is although it dissolves the glue once it has evaporated glue residue often remains as it doesn’t actually break the glue down permanently.
But now I’m rambling... lol

kuota

use wd40

Bobbinogs

I find that just rubbing it with a thumb works well after wiping the sticky area with a baby wipe, takes a few goes as your flesh gets gummed up a bit but it really does work.

TheEnglishman

Don't use petrol.

The vapour is really flammable - there's plenty of stories of people who've burned down the shed/garage/house

It's really poisonous - it can be absorbed through the skin so if you have to use it wear gloves.

keith57

Agree with WD40 - we use it all the time to remove glue from all sorts of things at home.

Raffles

Keith57 wrote:

Agree with WD40 - we use it all the time to remove glue from all sorts of things at home.

I take it wd40 wont damage the gloss finish on a carbon frame ?

rpd_steve

Not at all. Resins in CFRP (both epoxy, poly and phelonic) will resist almost ALL chemical attack provided you dont have any damaged areas or fiber ends. However as said above, the paint may be different. MOST factory finished use either powder coat electrostatic paint or a 2-pac clear coat (which hardens chemically like epoxy resin) so will be very resistant to most things you can get your hands on.

In any case lighter fluid is always a good, safe and effective bet.

rpd_steve

Anyway... bact to the point, WD40 is quite safe on the paint and carbon.

Raffles

RPD Steve wrote:

Not at all. Resins in CFRP (both epoxy, poly and phelonic) will resist almost ALL chemical attack provided you dont have any damaged areas or fiber ends. However as said above, the paint may be different. MOST factory finished use either powder coat electrostatic paint or a 2-pac clear coat (which hardens chemically like epoxy resin) so will be very resistant to most things you can get your hands on.

In any case lighter fluid is always a good, safe and effective bet.

Ive got a little can of lighter fluid , which the americans call naptha and use for wiping stubborn sweat marks from guitar bodies..................you are saying this will do no damage to the finish on a carbon frame ?

team47b

...not unless you are smoking at the time

ricklilley

+1 for wd40
With any other solvents one of the worst to use is Acetone, or anything that contains it, such as some nail polish removers. I used to work with fibreglass and different types of resin. And we used Acetone for cleaning the brushes rollers etc, as it can disolve even cured resin.

hulla the hulla

Bobbinogs wrote:

I find that just rubbing it with a thumb works well after wiping the sticky area with a baby wipe, takes a few goes as your flesh gets gummed up a bit but it really does work.

lol - baby wipes are a work of genius - if they can get the toxic mustard coloured gloop off my newborn sons arse, then they can get anything off anything - FACT !