Removing this sticky fuzzy junk

[JohnD]

I recently pulled off an old vinyl like covering from behind the backrest on my boat and was left with a fuzzy material stuck to the fiberglass. I tried to sand it off, but that didn't work at all. I then moved on to soaking it down with a natural paint remover and attempting to scrape it off. This got most of it, but I'm still left with some funk that I need to remove to sand everything down and repaint it. Anyone dealt with this stuff before or have a suggestion on the best way to remove it?

[Rachel]

From what I have seen of other Tritons, this is not a Triton/builder feature, but a material some previous owner installed.

Not that that changes your desire to remove it (and I would too).

Here are some solvents I have used to remove sticky gunk from fiberglass:

1) Denatured alcohol
2) Acetone
3) 3M Adhesive Remover (citrus, black aerosol can with multicored stripes)
3) Interlux Solvent Wash 202
4) Lacquer thinner

I tend to try #1 first as it seems the least noxious/toxic. Recently I had to remove some old contact cement from fiberglass and it just would not yield to any of the above. Finally I found that a one-two alternating punch of 3M Adhesive Remover and denatured alcohol did the the trick. Whew.

If the residue is somewhat hard/dry, then there is potential for sanding (which I see you have already tried) or scraping.

[hriehl1]

I have had decent luck with Goof Off and similar products; adhesive removers available in the paint departments of hardware stores and home improvement chains. It is very effective on duct tape and masking tape adhesive residues.

[s/v Faith]

I would first try denatured alcohol. It works great, and is pretty tame.

Then I would go to thinner... if that does not work use acetone.

(with gloves and ventilation of course).

[MichaelD]

If it's contact cement on roving.....use a wire wheel on a drill.