Pro Tips for Weatherstrips

Removing adhesive can be a challenging and time consuming task. Whether you’re working on a weatherstripping project in your garage, trying to remove an old sticker from your car, or dealing with fresh adhesive that has accidentally spilled onto your paint job, it can feel like a messy nightmare. The sticky residue left behind by adhesive can be stubborn and difficult to remove, causing frustration and potentially damaging surfaces if not handled properly.

Fortunately, there are products out there that can turn this into a much easier and more efficient task!

What product should you use?

We recommend the 3M Adhesive Remover Low VOC when you need remove leftover adhesive from any surface. It’s an excellent option for many reasons, including:

• Removes a variety of residue from things like dirt, grease, tar, wax and adhesive.
• Specifically designed for industrial applications.
• Wipes away with just a shop towel – no harmful scraping tools required.
• Will not harm most automotive paint surfaces and works on glass or vinyl.

Warnings and precautions: extremely flammable, use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, wear protective gloves and eyewear when using, do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50C/122F, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

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Important note:

Before you begin the adhesive removal process, it is important to ensure that your automotive paint has properly aged. If you’ve received a new paint job, it can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days for the paint to fully cure and harden. To prevent damage to your new paint, it’s crucial that you wait until after the curing time frame to apply any chemicals to your vehicle. To be thorough, it’s always a good idea to consult with your painter or check the label of the paint you used to determine the specific curing time.

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How to Remove the Adhesive

Materials needed:

• 3M Adhesive Remover
• Nitrile gloves
• Shop rag
• Plastic scraper tool

To protect your hands from the potentially harsh effects of the adhesive cleaner, it’s recommended to wear nitrile gloves. This will prevent the adhesive cleaner from stripping your hands of their natural oils and leaving them dry and rough.

Step 1: Start by ensuring that the area is free of any debris or loose adhesive. If not, use a plastic scraper tool and an air hose to remove any loose particles. The scraper tool should be soft enough that it doesn’t scratch, our scraper/tuck tool is perfect for this job.

Step 2: Spray the 3M Adhesive Remover directly onto the areas where the adhesive is stubborn and won’t come off. Allow the remover to sit for a few minutes, giving it time to penetrate and soften the adhesive. It’s important to be mindful of the liquid consistency of the cleaner, as it can run and potentially damage nearby areas. Protect any surfaces that you don’t want the cleaner to run onto.

Step 3: After a few minutes, take a shop towel, rag, or the scraper tool and gently wipe off the adhesive. It may take a few tries with the spray to fully break down the adhesive’s grip on the surface. For particularly stubborn adhesive, you may need to repeat this process.

Once you’ve successfully removed the adhesive, make sure to clean the area thoroughly to remove any residual oils or solvents before applying new adhesive or proceeding with your project. While the surface doesn’t need to be perfect, it should be clean and free of oils or solvents for the new adhesive to adhere properly.

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At Steele, we’re more than just high-quality products, we’re your trusted resource for completing your weatherstripping projects with confidence.

Whether you’re working on a classic car or truck, street rod, RV, or boat, our expert team is here to help. If you have questions about weatherstripping or need product guidance, we’re just a call or click away.

📞 Call us at 800-650-4482
📧 Send us an email
💬 Chat with us live on our website

Need installation help?
Check out our How-To video series on YouTube for step-by-step guidance and tips.

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