Removing plastic

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Johnnybravo
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Removing plastic

Post by Johnnybravo »

Greetings all, it's been a while since I posted in here since I don't have my shop back up and running after moving.

But I need some help if anyone can help me out here.
I work at a really cool company that makes an astounding product, but because of the NDA's I cannot really say where. But I have a situation I would like to remedy. We routinely have components that get a plastic coating glued onto them, (said components are made of a thin gauge mild steel). Occasionally, the plastic is not in perfect position when the adhesive cures, and portions of it have to be removed. It is a ridiculously painstaking process and adds a great deal of time to the process.

Currently, the way the plastic is removed is by inserting a bamboo skewer into a Dremel, and melting a parting line through the length of the plastic so that it can be removed. This by itself is quite a process because all they are doing is melting the plastic, and they have to change the skewer quite often. But after that, there is still a very effective two part adhesive to remove form the thin steel, but we cannot damage the steel, or we scrap an expensive component.

Does anyone have any ideas about removing this stuff without damaging the component, and without having to wear it off with a bamboo skewer?

Thanks all
John
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djreiswig
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by djreiswig »

Maybe soda blasting?
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acourtjester
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by acourtjester »

have you tried auto brake fluid, it eats paint like mad no damage to metal.
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Gamelord
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by Gamelord »

Use some 3M heavy duty clear packaging tape around the edges of the metal. When the plastic goops over the edge it is on the tape which can be easily removed. When I do plastic welding I do the same thing and it stops plastic from bonding to itself. Also works for epoxy and other adhesives. With plastic welding, I wait till the weld-on begins to set up, then run a razor blade over the edge, cutting it from the main adhesive area. Then when it sets up firm, peel the tape off and the plastic comes off with it.
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Johnnybravo
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by Johnnybravo »

Damn. All this ideas are great, but because of the process, I cannot use them. FML
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SegoMan DeSigns
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by SegoMan DeSigns »

Place several wraps of a small wire on the object prior to coating leaving the pull end exposed.
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Francisco
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by Francisco »

Can you apply heat with a hot air gun? Most adhesives will let go at reasonable temperatures.
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by Tautog13 »

Hot wire (Nichrome wire).......similar to how foam is cut for hobbies?
Johnnybravo
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Re: Removing plastic

Post by Johnnybravo »

I think heat might be viable. Thank you folks!
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