Picked up a used canoe over the weekend, a MR Traveler. It had 12 D ring patches inside. I was able to peel all the patches off but the glue remained. There were 2 kinds and the white stuff is coming off with multiple Goo-off treatments, but the other one that looks like rubber cement or contact glue seems impervious to Goo-off, razor blade and dynamite. It does soften up with mineral spirits but still won't budge. Any suggestions for removing it.

Not sure about goo-off but goo gone has always worked pretty well for me on glue based stuff. Good luck, and congrats on the new purchase.

Putty knife or old wood chisel? Paint scraper?

Acetone. Wear gloves.

I'd probably go to the acetone too, since goo-gone + rubbing alcohol usually takes off most glue residue.

I've had luck removing stubborn beer bottle labels by soaking them in vinegar overnight. Just not sure how that could be applied to a canoe.

Another possibility, make a paste with baking soda and water and let that sit on the glue for at least an hour or two, then scrub off with vinegar. I've done that to clean baked on oven grime.

Another option to remove glue is gasoline or WD40.
The petroleum will dissolve some adhesives, especially rubber/butyl-based ones.

The scraper/putty knife/razor thing seems futile.....too rubbery. I have acetone to try and I did consider gas. I have 8-9 of those spots to do so plenty of room to experiment ;) Between all the D rings/patches and some underseat support contraption, I removed about 3 pounds out of the boat. Maybe another pound when I get all the glue scraped out.
Thanks gang

Back in my whitewater days, D-rings were installed in canoes with a heat activated contact cement. Cautious use of a heat gun could soften and do the trick.

xylene.

Read all the warnings, take all the precautions. It is a component of many of the brush cleaners/restorers in the paint department. Look for something that will clean a brush with hardened paint.

I would want something that evaporates completely like acetone and xylene. Gasoline and turpntine based solvent leave lots of hard-to-get-rid-of residue and smells.

Because the evaporate fast you have to be scraping as the stuff softens. Often it will just harden up again if you leave it sit. Apply solvent and then covering to slow down evaporation helps if the solvent is slow to work.

Doc, I hope you didn't remove all those super cool outfitter decals I carefully put on that Northstar Northwind. I read your post about the canoe. Glad you liked it.

BnD: "Doc, I hope you didn't remove all those super cool outfitter decals I carefully put on that Northstar Northwind. I read your post about the canoe. Glad you liked it. "

Well, this is a different boat. But.....I did remove your outfitter decals (only left the flying moose), but I took them off with a hot air gun, glued them to tag board and then mounted them on a big pine board that I trimmed with some cedar. Sort of a northwoods/bwca billboard for my man cave. And yes, I loved the way the Northwind performed on the trip.

Check out this Alaskan forum
specifically, the Alaska Series Inflatable Boats member posting. Hope it helps.

Lacquer thinner will soften it. It makes it kinda snotty, but it'll take it off.

cowdoc: "

BnD: "Doc, I hope you didn't remove all those super cool outfitter decals I carefully put on that Northstar Northwind. I read your post about the canoe. Glad you liked it. "

Well, this is a different boat. But.....I did remove your outfitter decals (only left the flying moose), but I took them off with a hot air gun, glued them to tag board and then mounted them on a big pine board that I trimmed with some cedar. Sort of a northwoods/bwca billboard for my man cave. And yes, I loved the way the Northwind performed on the trip.



"

That is very very cool.........

GeoFisher: "

cowdoc: "

BnD: "Doc, I hope you didn't remove all those super cool outfitter decals I carefully put on that Northstar Northwind. I read your post about the canoe. Glad you liked it. "

Well, this is a different boat. But.....I did remove your outfitter decals (only left the flying moose), but I took them off with a hot air gun, glued them to tag board and then mounted them on a big pine board that I trimmed with some cedar. Sort of a northwoods/bwca billboard for my man cave. And yes, I loved the way the Northwind performed on the trip.




"

That is very very cool.........
"

It was cooler on the Northwind. IMO.

If it is just for looks I would use as is.

Life is a lot less stressful if one doesn't worry about things that really do not matter.

jwb747: "Back in my whitewater days, D-rings were installed in canoes with a heat activated contact cement. Cautious use of a heat gun could soften and do the trick. "

I was thinking acetone and some heat... And patience. Almost sounds hard enough to sand off. I have some abrasive stuff that works good for me. But man you have to be careful! What are you finding with the acetone...?

Canoe is back on the rack and I'm busy with work. I'm gathering supplies and waiting for a day off to have at it again.

Save yourself a lot of additional time and trouble and just use MEK. Soak an old rag with it and wipe away the residue. It's wicked stuff but it'll get 'er done quickly with no adverse effects to the boat provided you let it evaporate completely before adhering anything new to the area. I've used it without a respirator but I don't recommend that unless you want a cheap buzz.