Topic: What is the best way to remove gasket residues?

[nobrake]

I tried petroleum, paint remover, paint thinner....also tried scrapping vertically
with a razor blade.......

Tips?

Pleas don't say "patience and elbow grease".

[Patrick]

Most auto parts stores sell aerosol gasket remover. I've had some luck with it. Spray it on, let it sit, scrape it off.

Patrick

[kghost]

Have someone else do it?   


Seriously....try MEK on a rag

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I tried Aircraft paint stripper and permetex gasket remover and neither worked. Had to do the razorblade thing, and it took the better part of a day. Sorry.

[Alan F.]

How long did you let the Permatex spray type gasket remover sit before trying to scrape?  Maybe letting it sit longer and reapplying would do it?  That's strong stuff.
-A

[swan]

+1 on Permatex gasket remover. Careful with overspray, it will remove paint too

[Mdub]

A green 3M scuffy pad on a ro-lock disc mandrel in the hand drill makes short work of it.

[VTCBike750]

A green 3M scuffy pad on a ro-lock disc mandrel in the hand drill makes short work of it.

Think Ill try this method. How harsh is the green 3M pad on the aluminum? Do I need to be super gentle or just go for it?

[dave500]

Pleas don't say "patience and elbow grease".

finesse and elbow grease,or take it to one of those drive through gasket removal places.

[Terry in Australia]

I'm with the 3M strip disc post, I use one attached to my 7 inch sander/polisher and it makes old gaskets disappear! Hey Dave, where are these drive thru gasket removal joints? What a great idea for a franchise!

[Jeff.Saunders]

The best scraper I've found is the Goodson 'Super Scraper'.

http://www.goodson.com/store/template/product_detail.php?IID=8905&SID=1729970ee0691d7016327a6f4a906dfe

These have a precision ground square cut carbide tip - VERY tough and a lot safer than razor blades.

When I spoke with them at the DealerExpo earlier this year, they also plan on a narrower version for smaller engines.

[MoMo]

I agree with Terry-that 3m attachment made mincemeat out of a very old, rock hard 550 gasket...Larry

[chickenman_26]

Those 3M Roloc discs are great on steel or cast iron surfaces but can ruin an aluminum sealing surface in a heartbeat. On aluminum, you need to use the least coarse grade available, use very light pressure, and keep the disc moving on the surface. Don't hold it in one spot to remove a stubborn piece of gasket, or you'll end up with a surface that won't seal, even with a new gasket. I personally stopped using Roloc discs on aluminum surfaces and stick with Jasco Stripper and a scraper. Paint on a heavy coat, and let it sit for several hours before scraping. I've also had good luck with Easy Off oven cleaner. If you read the fine print on a can of "gasket remover", you'll find it's designed to remove gasket cements and adhesives. It doesn't actually do much to soften rock-hard old gasket material.

Stu

[VTCBike750]

Pleas don't say "patience and elbow grease".

finesse and elbow grease,or take it to one of those drive through gasket removal places.

Wait! These exist? HolyS@#*! I need to find out if theres one in VT. 

Thanks for the tips guys. Having never done it, I wanna learn from your experiences and not jack anything up. 

[chewbacca5000]

I've done a little of this lately and have had good luck with Berryman B-12 chemtool in the spray can.  It also does a fairly decent job of dissolving carbon. 

[MCRider]

Pleas don't say "patience and elbow grease".

finesse and elbow grease,or take it to one of those drive through gasket removal places.

Yeah, I'll go there as soon as I get back from my snipe hunt.   

[VTCBike750]

I love snipe hunting!

[Terry in Australia]

Those 3M Roloc discs are great on steel or cast iron surfaces but can ruin an aluminum sealing surface in a heartbeat. On aluminum, you need to use the least coarse grade available, use very light pressure, and keep the disc moving on the surface. Don't hold it in one spot to remove a stubborn piece of gasket, or you'll end up with a surface that won't seal, even with a new gasket. I personally stopped using Roloc discs on aluminum surfaces and stick with Jasco Stripper and a scraper. Paint on a heavy coat, and let it sit for several hours before scraping. I've also had good luck with Easy Off oven cleaner. If you read the fine print on a can of "gasket remover", you'll find it's designed to remove gasket cements and adhesives. It doesn't actually do much to soften rock-hard old gasket material.

Stu

Yep, sorry mate, I didn't know what a Roloc disc was when I posted here earlier, this is the 3M paint strip disc I use, I've used it on the last 4 engines I've built over the last 7 years with no oil leaks at all. Cheers, Terry.

http://www.shop3m.com.au/Clean_and_Strip_XT_DC_Disc_XT_DC_125mm_x_22mm_p/xc000702065.htm