Gasket scraper for soft metals?

[Mike83]

What do you guys use as a gasket scraper on soft metals like aluminum? My carbon steel scrapers tend to gouge no matter how careful I am. I saw that Blue Point has bronze scrapers so maybe those work. Is there another brand out there that has scrapers made of a soft metal that won't eat up aluminum intakes, heads, etc.?

 

[PAToyota]

Old credit card...

 

[PoorOwner]

For the die grinder I bought some re-surfacing discs, the company claims that it can be used to remove gasket without much impact to the surface. Might be another way to do it.

But I have only used it to removed rust and oxidations so far.. get the exhaust flanges nice and shiny

 

[Jononon]

Flat piece of ABS, cut from an old suitcase, ground to an edge on one side.

 

[grillmasterp]

a good ol' fashioned pink gum eraser has also helped me remove gasket material (RTV) from knurled aluminum surfaces.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95832

-BWP

 

[MXtras]

Brass or plastic putty knife. Or a utility knife blade laid down on the surface nearly flat - it can gouge if you're in a hurry, though.

Scott

 

[mtwaterguy]

years back Matco sold gasket material removal kits. It was similar to scotch brite pads that could be used with a drill.

 

[strizzy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95832

-BWP

Best thing sold at HF, use them all the time on gel coat. You can sharpen them back to a point when they get gubbered up too.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've used a straight razor blade, but I made sure the blade was completely flat with the surface and I went real slow with it; that's if I'm removing the paper type gaskets that come off fairly easy anyway.

 

[hamburglar]

...............

 

[eschoendorff]

For the die grinder I bought some re-surfacing discs, the company claims that it can be used to remove gasket without much impact to the surface. Might be another way to do it.

I used the green Rolocs on intake surfaces with good results....

 

[krusty the clown]

i use a windshield ice scraper for alluminum heads, they are cheap and easy to get.

 

[Fedwrench]

The green and yellow bristle rolocs are too aggresive for aluminum. 3m makes a white bristle roloc that does an excellent job of removing material without damaging aluminum.
The fine green scotchbrite roloc is about the safest of the scotchbrite discs but, you still have to watch speed and pressure.
Aerosol gasket remover and a plastic scraper works well too.

 

[RPH]

Hard wood when in doubt. Can make what ever shape is needed.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I just.. die grind it with an abrasive disc. Never had a problem. I've done so many gaskets it couldn't be I'm lucky.

 

[wilbilt]

I like utility knife blades, but these work well, too.

Be sure to use the good old hard phenolic ones with a nice edge. The cheap plastic ones are too soft.
Also good for scraping ice off your windshield.

 

[knuckleduster271]

ive used yellow roloc bristles on countless alum surfaces without a problem. they are like $9 at most dealership parts counters. ive never used green, i heard they are more course than yellow so i really dont know about em. I know a yellow one on a angle die grinder has saved me countless hours on prepping engines.

 

[eschoendorff]

I like utility knife blades, but these work well, too.

Be sure to use the good old hard phenolic ones with a nice edge. The cheap plastic ones are too soft.
Also good for scraping ice off your windshield.

Do they even make those in the hard phenolic anymore? The only ones I can find are the cheap soft crappy China specials...

 

[fourfeathers]

I picked up some plastic razor blade inserts on ebay. I have used them on some sticker residue on a toolbox, and it didn't scratch the paint.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I just use one of those scrapers that takes a razor blade. When it gets nicked, put a new one in. Hell it works for jets, it should be fine for a car.

 

[wilbilt]

Do they even make those in the hard phenolic anymore? The only ones I can find are the cheap soft crappy China specials...

I don't know....Leviton probably still lists them, or Hubbell. They might be $17 each, though.

I pretty much have a lifetime supply around here. It seems there are also some hard plastic versions in between the phenolic and the soft vinyl junk that would work, too.