Removing adhesive from stainless tool box top

[lotus_guy01]

Hi,
I recently got a great deal (I think) on an older 72" Extreme Tools cabinet with a stainless steel top. However, the previous owner never removed most of the protective file from the top. Removing it now leaves a layer of glue which I'm having trouble removing. I've tried IPA and Goo Gone and they haven't touched it.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dadsEH]

Isopropal alcohol

 

[The Cobbler]

lacquer thinner, acetone , mineral spirits

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Mr Clean Magic eraser?

 

[Legacyruss]

What are you scrubbing with? Have you tried a green scotch bright pad? Goo Gone has a “professional” aerosol spray... it works real good

 

[Kaizen]

Had similar on a grill I bought. Had to use abrasive then buffed it.


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[RTM]

I’ve had luck w WD40.

If you use abrasive, go straight line, not ROS, with the grain.

 

[t100]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NUO6K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[4xdog]

Usually adhesives will come off with solvents from the family of acetone/mineral spirits/toluene/methyl ethyl ketone/ lacquer thinner or the family of alcohols.

Many of those protective films have hardly any adhesive at all. I’d have guessed either mineral spirits or IPA would have softened it.

Sometimes diesel fuel will work on a slow-to-dissolve adhesive, because its low volatility lets it stay wet on the surface for a few days, especially if coverd with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

 

[Fedwrench]

Break Clean followed by tub of towels wipe down

 

[southalabama]

Razor blade.

Clean residue with solvent. Go through the list. Isopropyl alcohol, acetone, mineral spirts.

 

[Zewnten]

Wurth, OEM unknown, made a giant drill mounatble rubber wheel that worked great for removing adhesive leftover from decals.

 

[lotus_guy01]

Thanks everyone! I've tried isopropyl alcohol to no effect. Maybe temperature is a factor as my shop is unheated. I will try the other suggestions before using an abrasive. So far, I've just used a cloth with hard scrubbing. Do I have to worry about any of these cleaners on stainless?

 

[whateg01]

I like WD40. It cleans up well and doesn't hurt paint. I know you are working on stainless, but if it runs down on the paint, you don't want to use a solvent that will ruin it. If you can cover it with plastic so it can soak, the adhesive will likely just wipe off like a wet booger!

Dave

 

[4xdog]

Thanks everyone! I've tried isopropyl alcohol to no effect. Maybe temperature is a factor as my shop is unheated. I will try the other suggestions before using an abrasive. So far, I've just used a cloth with hard scrubbing. Do I have to worry about any of these cleaners on stainless?

Try mineral spirits next. Temperature would only be a minor factor — you’ll know when the solvent is right. With the right solvent a cloth will work, and if you let chemistry and time do the job it won’t take hard scrubbing.

 

[Qualitytools]

WD40 as suggested earlier

 

[kelpaso1]

Gasoline on a rag. Then wipe down with any spray household cleaner to get rid of the gas smell.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Try goo-gone. It takes everything for me.

 

[redragoon]

Goo Gone, or diesel fuel.

 

[rlitman]

...Maybe temperature is a factor as my shop is unheated...

Temperature is a huge factor. Put it out in the sun, or use a hair dryer. Just be careful with electric heat and flammable solvents.

 

[SeisMec]

Thanks everyone! I've tried isopropyl alcohol to no effect. ... Do I have to worry about any of these cleaners on stainless?

Starting with the I know from experience WON'T HARM STAINLESS and very roughly sorted by increasing degree of fire hazard around open flame.

• diesel fuel - like someone else said slow to evaporate - so more time to work on adhesive
• WD40
• acetone - your wife/GF's nail polish remover is acetone
• mineral spirits
• gasoline
• lacquer thinner - SPRAY carburetor cleaner is usually just lacquer thinner.
  This would actually be my first choice as most likely to work. But it's stinky as h### and do be very, very careful about open flame.

No personal experience, but doubt they'd harm stainless.

• toluene
• methy ethyl ketone

EDIT: Just now re-read your initial post. Never mind the previous mention of Goo Gone

 

[DwightS]

GooGone, WD40, any of the other things mentioned should work. I think the main thing is to let it dwell on the adhesive to soften it up. I use rubber gloves (or bare hands/fingers if in a hurry and small area) and agitate the area, continuing to let it dwell and break down the adhesive. Follow up with some terry cloth saturated with more adhesive remover and scrub.


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[joshmodelskidoo]

Wd40 and a toothbrush or similar scrub brush. Then you can use a alcohol after. Might need some degreaser in between. I see diesel mentioned so im sure kerosene if you have some of that laying around. Kerosene and diesel are almost identical

 

[66HertzClone]

I've always had great success using this product from 3M.