SeaDek install question (removing existing mats)...

[whiten]

Hello all -

About to install my SeaDek in the next week and trying to find information on what is the best method to remove the pre-existing mats on the swim platform as well as the anchor locker.

Is there a commercial adhesive removal product, say Goof Off, that helps with the removal....?
Has anyone used a heat gun and does it assist in loosening up the glue...?

Appreciate any tips...!

 

[zipper]

Many here have used eraser wheels like these to remove the adhesive.



When it comes time to replace the mats on my swim platform, I will use a heat gun and a can of Debond for the adhesive removal. I have used this stuff to remove all kinds of stuck on messes.

 

[Julian]

When I removed the mats off my 230 swim desk I did it in cool weather and it came off easily. I think heat just makes the glue more gooey and sticky.

 

[IvanRZB]

I removed the original swim platform mats on my 2012 a couple of months ago with a plastic putty knife, rubber gloves (for grip) and lots of patience. Not sure how much a heat gun would have helped, I wouldn't go out and get one just for this job if I were to do it again.

Acetone + plastic putty knife for the remaining dried up glue worked great.

 

[Steve Risley]

When we removed ours, it was a lot of elbow grease (scraping with putty knife) and a brush attached to my drill. Goof Off did not work for us. Having read several of these posts, someone commented that they used oven cleaner and it worked really well...Wish I would have read that tip prior to removing ours. Good luck!

 

[Mike Clark]

I agree with pretty much all the the statements above. I did use a heat gun as it mine was pulling off in little pieces, and kept having to restart the edge pull process. The heat gun loosened up the glue enough that I could pull it off in mostly 1-2 pieces, would heat up a section and pull till I thought it was going to rip and then heat another section staring at the point of where it was still attached. worked pretty well. Heat Guns at Harbor Freight are like $12.00

I also used Acetone to remove the left over glue and then went over the entire area with Mineral Spirits to make sure a had really good surface to attach the new Seadeck.

That Marine Formula looks like it is good stuff. Will be checking that out myself for other uses.