How to CLEAN N.O.S. Fan Shroud ????? [Archive]

CamarosRus

06-02-2002, 01:16 PM

Just bought and received a very rare 1970-72 Big Block Camaro Fan Shroud. On the top curved portion that most shows is some very old residue from (???) I'm guessing some kind of 3/4" wide tape by maybe 5" long. I've tried using a commercial cleaner made to remove grafitti and marks from fiberglas and epoxy panels but didnt really accomplish much.
I'm afraid to use anything abrasive and change the complexion. Also there is a small area that shows with a surface scratch/like from tip of sharp object. There must be a way to sand the surface and refinish...... This is (WAS) NOS and I dont want to have it look like anything else but.......HELP if you can.....Chuck

x44d80

06-02-2002, 03:38 PM

The local phone companies use a product called d-Gel that takes off alot of different stuff and is really safe on plastics, it comes in a plastic container, If you know any phone people ask if you can borrow some. I think it must be alot like the citrus products because of its smell but on the ingrediant list it says only it contains hydrocarbons....

BBIGG BLOCK 396

06-02-2002, 09:34 PM

I used some denatured alcahol on my 67 shroud,it didn't hurt it.I used a good clean rag,sparingly use the alcahol and rub lightly until th residue is gone.Before trying this on an area you can see,try a little on an area you can't see to make sure it doesen't hurt it any way.Plastic items vary in all types of chemical compositions and some can be cleaned easily some can't be cleaned at all without damage to them. Hope this helps

Bobby

BBIGG BLOCK 396

06-02-2002, 09:39 PM

Excuse the spelling it is suppose to be alcohol.I guess I need to use spell check more often!! /ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif

Bobby

Seattle Sam

06-03-2002, 02:13 AM

Is it still sticky? You can remove sticky glue residue safely using motor oil (or WD40, or any other clean oil) and a soft cloth, just apply and gently rub, rub, rub. Keep applying small amounts of the oil to keep the area moistened. The oil neutralizes the sticky characteristic of the glue, allowing it to lift off.
Be very careful with any kind of solvent; look for a spot on the shroud that won't be exposed once it's installed and test it there if you must use solvent.
Good luck!
Sam

CamarosRus

06-03-2002, 06:45 AM

No its NOT sticky......Its very apparent from some VERY old tape......But once again nothing sticky, but VERY OLD dried on residue none the less......What now ????? ......Chuck

BBIGG BLOCK 396

06-03-2002, 09:34 AM

Did you try a little denatured alcohol.I tell you it worked great removing the old sticker off mine.Caused no damage or discoloring.But please if you try it use a little where you cant see it first just to test it.

Bobby

CamarosRus

06-03-2002, 04:23 PM

Worked both days over the weekend and DIDNT get around to trying denatured alcohol on shroud.....Seller says he will take it back......I'm in limbo as to what to do, as finding another NOS shroud will be very unlikely, yet I want this one to look "as new" from the factory.......carry on !!!!!

DjD

06-03-2002, 04:31 PM

Try soaking it in water for several hrs to over night. If it's a stain it may not help but if it's just dry tape residue it will soften up.

Rat_Pack

06-04-2002, 12:51 PM

Chuck, get some fine bronze wool, most body shop supply stores carry it as do marine dealers, try lightly rubbing in a circular motion and see if it will come off. If that does not work then try wet sanding it with 1500 then 2000 and then polish it out. I have had to do that with other plastic pieces before and it works pretty good. Be sure to do the entire section where you are working. Hope these tips help out..................RatPack...................

CamarosRus

06-04-2002, 03:50 PM

Rat Pack and others, Last night,before I read your bronze wool post, I started working on ANOTHER less valuble good used small block 70 shroud. I took some well worn GRAY scotchbrite and the FRP(??) graphiti remover and this cleaned another masking tape area.....As this shroud had "heavier" scratches I then used 400,1000 & 1200 wet paper.....then some 3M rubbing compound and then some polishing glaze....anyway I have made the used small block one look much better, but a little hesitant to start in on the EXPENSIVE NOS Big Block 70 shroud....The rubbing compounds and polishes tend to smear and streak and its very difficult to get a NEW clean look ????? ........Thanks to all.....Chuck

BBIGG BLOCK 396

06-11-2002, 03:46 AM

How did you come out on the nos shroud,did you get the sticker off.If so what did you do.

Thanks

Bobby

CamarosRus

06-11-2002, 05:08 AM

The last thing that I did with the NOS 70 Camaro B.B. fan shroud was to try a product called Goo Gone...which seems to be one of those citric based products.....It didnt help with that 20-30 year old tape residue....Its like that glue residue has impregnated itself right into the surface.....Seems like only thing that might work is to start with abrasives as I outlined above......and then it wont look NOS any longer.......I wish I could find a GOOD used one to restore and not have to screw around with the NOS one.......thanks, Chuck

BBIGG BLOCK 396

06-11-2002, 05:26 AM

I am like you I wouldn't want to screw it up either.From my experience grafitti removers seem to be a lot stronger than alcahol when used on plastic items and surfaces.It's like it actually melts a layer of the plastic,at least the ones I have used.I have found that denatured alcahol does not react to plastic like grafitti removers do.I know a painter that uses a rubber seal product also called oil and grease remover on plastic and metal items and it seems to work on cleaning up dried compounds after buffing a paint job.And that stuff can be hard to remove.I hope you are able to get the stuff off without any damage.I will keep asking people that I know to see if someone can come up with a solution.

Bobby

DjD

06-11-2002, 06:14 PM

Did you try a few days under water? The tape material unless petrified is water soluble and the shroud really isn't. Given enough time the water should soften up the tape enough that goo-gone or the like can remove it...

Mr70

06-12-2002, 12:53 AM

Try Nail Polish remover.
For somereason,it succeeds were others don't.

Stefano

06-12-2002, 04:21 AM

My $00.02, how about media blasting?

Belair62

06-13-2002, 01:11 AM

Chuck,if I were you I would just throw that one out and find another NOS one !!!!!

jon rand

06-14-2002, 02:46 AM

I say put a big MOROSO sticker over the spot it will cover it up and look realy COOL to

SS427

06-14-2002, 03:01 AM

Like Stefano, I quite routinely use media or glass and blast my shrouds. I use low pressure and start in an out of the way place until I get the pressure just right. I also use this on air conditioning dog houses with very little if any ill effect of the plastic.

I would not suggest this on a part being resold as an NOS but have no problem on a NOS piece destined for a restoration I am doing.

CamarosRus

07-10-2002, 01:53 PM

Finally got around to buying some Denatured Alcohol after failing with some POR "Marine Clean"......I soaked a multifolded white paper towel with the Denatured Alcohol and soaked and wiped tape area for several minutes. After wiping dry, it Tape "residue" was still there hadnt fazed it...Havent tried the Bronze wool as was suggested. I already know that 1000, 1500 wet paper will work, but it will change the appearance of the surface of the Blacl plastic shroud, which I dont want....but I may have no choice.....Very frustrating to have paid so much for a rare NOS piece and then have a very noticable blem that cant be removed.....Chuck/Seattle

CamarosRus

07-10-2002, 01:54 PM

Finally got around to buying some Denatured Alcohol after failing with some POR "Marine Clean"......I soaked a multifolded white paper towel with the Denatured Alcohol and soaked and wiped tape area for several minutes. After wiping dry, it Tspe "residue" was still there hadnt fazed it...Havent tried the Bronze wool as was suggested. I already know that 1000, 1500 wet paper will work, but it will change the appearance of the surface of the Blacl plastic shroud, which I dont want....but I may have no choice.....Very frustrating to have paid so much for a rare NOS piece and then have a very noticable blem that cant be removed.....Chuck/Seattle

Charley Lillard

07-10-2002, 02:11 PM

Just try soaking it in some type of oil for a few days. Even try smearing some peanut butter on it and letting it sit for a few days. The oils in it should break down the dried glue you are fighting.

68l30

07-10-2002, 04:26 PM

Chuck,have you tried an adheisive remover? I buy it in a gallon can at my local supply house.I believe it's made by several paint mfgs, all under different product names.Check with your paint rep.I've always had excellant results with this product....

Steve

JChlupsa

07-10-2002, 07:56 PM

Have to say try the Penut Butter route also if it will take gum out of a childs hair and out of a carpet (thats had it for some time) I would think it should also do the same for the tape on the fan.

JoeC

07-10-2002, 09:17 PM

is that smooth or chunky peanut butter? /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

Charley Lillard

07-10-2002, 10:44 PM

That would be smooth. The Chunky might be too abrasive. You could even stick a Cracker to it so if somebody sees it you can say that it just fell there.

BBIGG BLOCK 396

07-11-2002, 02:19 AM

You guys keep it up and you might have your own TV show. /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif

Charley Lillard

07-11-2002, 05:16 AM

I really am serious about the Peanut Butter. The oils in it should loosen up the dried tape. Or even some other oil but the peanut butter will stay on. After a couple days just stop by and try a tooth brush on it and see if it is getting freed up.

CamarosRus

07-11-2002, 08:23 AM

Charley, Did not have any Peanut Butter on hand.....will have to go buy some....Current using Cooking Oil soaked paper towel setting on bad area....This "residue" has no real feel to it....I mean its not the usual sticky adhesive type residue....what ever tape that was on it was pulled off or fell off YEARS ago but somehow left an "impression" or some type of adhesive imprint....

Seattle Sam

07-22-2002, 03:16 AM

Chuck did you ever get that stuff to come off? And will we see your handiwork at the All Camaro Show in Bellevue on the 11th??
-Sam

CamarosRus

07-22-2002, 05:29 AM

No I did not get the tape "imprint" off the shroud.....After trying Denatured Alcohol...I actually did try Charley's Peanut Butter idea...leaving it on for 24 hours....before letting my One year old Husky (dog) lick it off....When I was at Super Chevy Indy I talked with Jeff Betz who has one of the BEST restored Camaros (77Z-28) in the world.....He had cleaned his A/C suitcase with very fine glass media at low air pressure...and then sprayed with clear "paint" .....This one piece shroud measures 28"x21" and wont really fit in my 24"x36" blast cabinet....I'll experiment with an old small block one....Thanks for everyones ideas and interest, but this problem is a real B**CH !!!!! ....Regarding the Bellevue,WA Camaro show on Aug 11th I will have my 70 R/S SS survivor/driver on hand.....The L-78 doesnt deserve to be shown and the everything else I own is in PARTS !!!!