Stripping fiberglass

[jmnjrpa]

Have a tank where a PO covered the entire top in fiberglass. Anyone got a good way to remove it?

[dpotter58]

what kind of tank and is it in good enough shape to mess with? Probably the best/fastest / easiest way is with a sander...

[natemoen]

Not sure if this works for fiberglass but you might be able to have the tank hot tanked at a machine shop. I know that it takes off most body filler but it might not work for fiberglass.

[81xsproject]

Soak it in ethanol gas. From what I understand, they used to make boat fuel cells from it. After they added the ethanol, it started eating them up. Now they use aluminum.

[BigDick]

second on the sander, if you get the aggressive aircraft stripper that stuff'll strip off bondo, fiberglass, skin, clothes, most anything. . .

[jmnjrpa]

Yeah,

I was thinking about running my torch across it and maybe break the bond. I know paint stripper won't work and was feeling a little too lazy for sanding. Thanks.

[fredintoon]

I was thinking about running my torch across it and maybe break the bond. I know paint stripper won't work and was feeling a little too lazy for sanding. Thanks.

Hi John,
after you make absolutely sure there's no gas left inside, take the gas taps, the fuel sender and the filler cap off then set the torch to a fat brazing flame and shove it into the filler hole to bake the stuff off from the inside.
If you feel that an oxy-acetylene flame is too savage, perhaps a hot air paint stripper would work?

[cywelchjr]

If I were going to do that, I would first rinse the tank out with denatured or rubbing alcohol followed by water to get the gas fumes out of it. Then I would remove any rubber or plastic parts, and I would do it outside and away from anything flammable. We don't want to hear about another member's house burning down, or hear about you going to the burn ward or worse.

But, otherwise the torch if used in moderation might be a decent choice, cause I'm not sure of anything else that would quickly and easily remove/delaminate fiberglass. Be careful of the fumes too, I'm sure they are not good for your lungs. (I don't think cigars are too good for them either, but at least they are relaxing and such, I don't think fumes from fiberglass resin have ANY redeeming qualities).

[skids]

I was thinking about running my torch across it and maybe break the bond. I know paint stripper won't work and was feeling a little too lazy for sanding. Thanks.

John, be careful there! I have heard of accidents from welding on washed-out tanks. You can generate enough fumes from residual gasoline that comes from the matal surface. You might try paint stripper. I know that acetone will dissolve many types of plastic...

[jmnjrpa]

Thanks Guys,

This tank is totally clean inside. Will keep you posted as to how and how well it works. I have done fiberglassing but never tried to remove it.

You can generate enough fumes from residual gasoline that comes from the matal surface.

You are right there Skids. I always recommend filling a tank with water or sand to weld it if at all possible.