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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:46:13

Title: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:46:13
I'm after suggestions on how to remove rubber from the side of my caravan. I set off from a set of lights, near side lane of 2, the right hand lane disappeared within about 30' of the other side of the junction, and some silly tw4t decided he'd try to get infront of the caravan ..... me! However he miss judged how fast I took off from the lights. The first I noticed in my mirror was him hitting the island with his FOS wheel, I hope he at least buckled his rim or oppsed his tyre.  >:( Needless to say he'd turned off before I had chance to stop. >:( >:(

Anyway ...... I've got the rubber from his tyres of most of the side of the caravan, acetone got it off the ally trim, and T-cut got it off the paint work. I'm now struggling to get it off the textured trim (not disimilar to prefaclift bumpers & side trims) from around the locker doors. T-cut doesn't touch it, acetone  does .... but it melts the plastic too  :'( I've tried some other solvents (Locktite cleaner) I have, but it doesn't get it off. I've gently scraped a lot of it off.
Any suggestions?  :-? :-/ :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: tunnie on 19 April 2009, 19:46:53
petrol + match?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: STMO123 on 19 April 2009, 19:48:23
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petrol + match?

That'll do it :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: dbug on 19 April 2009, 19:48:47
White Spirit?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:49:31
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petrol + match?

Funnily enough ....... I haven't tried that yet!

I thought it would have been Jamie that suggested that!  ;D
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: nick v6 on 19 April 2009, 19:49:39
tar and gle remover is good at that
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:50:19
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White Spirit?

Mmm? As the saying goes .....

I'll be back!  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:54:08
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White Spirit?

Mmm? As the saying goes .....

I'll be back!  :y

I'm back!  ;)

 :'( Doesn't touch it.  :(
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: webby23 on 19 April 2009, 19:54:36
Mate, you have got to try Scratch Remover from Wilkinsons !!!!

Comes in a tube like a big toothpaste and takes off lots of things.......

Scratches on paintwork

Disolves superglue (multiple attempts needed though!!!)

Removes residual glue on glass and bodywork (from old stickers etc)

In a red tube, and I think its made by the T Cut company.

Brilliant stuff and WILL get the rubber off............!!!!

 :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:54:55
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tar and glue remover is good at that

Any particular one Nick?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: STMO123 on 19 April 2009, 19:56:37
Anything which is strong enough to remove the tyre residue will be strong enough to damage the trim. It's a poser. :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 19:57:07
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Mate, you have got to try Scratch Remover from Wilkinsons !!!!

Comes in a tube like a big toothpaste and takes off lots of things.......

Scratches on paintwork

Disolves superglue (multiple attempts needed though!!!)

Removes residual glue on glass and bodywork (from old stickers etc)

In a red tube, and I think its made by the T Cut company.

Brilliant stuff and WILL get the rubber off............!!!!

 :y

I'll buy a tube tomorrow!  :y [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Tetrosyl make T-cut. They're based in Bury too!  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: webby23 on 19 April 2009, 19:59:25
It will also take off paint left by a car scuffing yours........
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:00:29
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Anything which is strong enough to remove the tyre residue will be strong enough to damage the trim. It's a poser. :-/

I just wish I'd been able to stop earlier, or I'd have used his/her head to remove the stuff!

If you know of a black Fiesta sized car with white marks on their mirror, and hopefully a oppsed rim/tyre in the Brownhills area .........  ;)  ;)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: tunnie on 19 April 2009, 20:01:13
WD40?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:02:41
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WD40?

Tried it!  :y doesn't begin to have any kind of affect
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: tunnie on 19 April 2009, 20:05:19
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WD40?

Tried it!  :y doesn't begin to have any kind of affect

D'oh.

Carb clearner? Not sure if that will affect the plastic  :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: dbug on 19 April 2009, 20:07:24
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Quote
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WD40?

Tried it!  :y doesn't begin to have any kind of affect

D'oh.

Carb clearner? Not sure if that will affect the plastic  :-/

Will affect plastic!
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: OmegaGav on 19 April 2009, 20:09:18
I think a well aimed hand
grenade should sort it :o :o ;D ;D
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Miggy24 on 19 April 2009, 20:09:34
G3 that will get it off
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 19 April 2009, 20:11:44
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Quote
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WD40?

Tried it!  :y doesn't begin to have any kind of affect

D'oh.

Carb clearner? Not sure if that will affect the plastic  :-/

It melts laptop keyboards.....i know  ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: tunnie on 19 April 2009, 20:17:20
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Quote
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WD40?

Tried it!  :y doesn't begin to have any kind of affect

D'oh.

Carb clearner? Not sure if that will affect the plastic  :-/

It melts laptop keyboards.....i know  ::) ;D ;D

Sorted then, Carb cleaner, petrol and a match  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: alexandjen on 19 April 2009, 20:20:03
Have you got any Mer car polish?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Plomien on 19 April 2009, 20:23:35
If it is just the tyre rubber marks then use a kids eraser as irt is a form of carbon at the end of the day
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:29:56
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Have you got any Mer car polish?

No  :( I've tried another car polish Turtle ,  that's petroleum based.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:32:18
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If it is just the tyre rubber marks then use a kids eraser as irt is a form of carbon at the end of the day

The rbber is hard, and in places where it was thicker would chip off. What's the rotational speed of the rim of a tyre at 30 mph? :-? what ever it is, that's what it was doing on the side of my 'van.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:34:24
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G3 that will get it off

G3 range was mentioned by a lad from ABS. I've not had chance to buy anything like it yet, but I assume it's another abrasive.  :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Welung666 on 19 April 2009, 20:38:25
G3 by Farcella is a cutting paste for paintwork, a bit like t-cut on steroids :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:41:04
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G3 by Farcella is a cutting paste for paintwork, a bit like t-cut on steroids :y

I'll look out for some. ...... I'll try Wilkinsons too! :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 April 2009, 20:42:01
Toothpaste? T-Cut? Really, you're looking for a very very mild abrasive to cut through the mark and, hopefully, leave what's underneath intact.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:45:22
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Toothpaste? T-Cut? Really, you're looking for a very very mild abrasive to cut through the mark and, hopefully, leave what's underneath intact.

I know, but the abrasives I've used so far have made no difference at all, not even tried to. I think it's the plastic & its textured surface that it's 'stuck' to that's not helping.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Richie London on 19 April 2009, 20:51:28
try expandafoam solvent cleaner  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Welung666 on 19 April 2009, 20:55:23
Is it just rubber thats melted/stuck Andy? Try dry scrubbing it with the pattern of the plastic with a good stiff scrubbing brush.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:56:09
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try expandafoam solvent cleaner  :y

Isn't that similar to acetone? Trim was melting with the bit of acetone I've already tried .. .  :-?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 20:57:16
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Is it just rubber thats melted/stuck Andy? Try dry scrubbing it with the pattern of the plastic with a good stiff scrubbing brush.

Tried a stiff nailbrush & neat bleach ..... nothing doing!  :'(

The 'pattern' is similar to your bumper & door trims.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Tonka. on 19 April 2009, 21:06:14
Could you try warming the rubber up to soften it ?

It may scrape off with a suitable scraper then  :y :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 April 2009, 21:19:03
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Toothpaste? T-Cut? Really, you're looking for a very very mild abrasive to cut through the mark and, hopefully, leave what's underneath intact.

I know, but the abrasives I've used so far have made no difference at all, not even tried to. I think it's the plastic & its textured surface that it's 'stuck' to that's not helping.

OK, how are you applying them? Have you tried a toothbrush? I'm guessing that, as the surface is textured, you need to get 'into' the grain.

The other thing to consider is, what are you actually trying to remove? You say that it's rubber but I doubt that it is actually rubber. If you know what the compound is then you have half a chance of finding a solvent to remove it.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Richie London on 19 April 2009, 21:31:04
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Is it just rubber thats melted/stuck Andy? Try dry scrubbing it with the pattern of the plastic with a good stiff scrubbing brush.

Tried a stiff nailbrush & neat bleach ..... nothing doing!  :'(

The 'pattern' is similar to your bumper & door trims.


didnt someone say tarmac remover when i had rubber stuck on the car once???
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 19 April 2009, 21:33:05
The rubber could be melted in :(
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:01:50
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.....
 You say that it's rubber but I doubt that it is actually rubber. .......

It's tyre rubber, you can see the sweep of the rotating wheel.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:03:42
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The rubber could be melted in :(

I think you could be right Martin, and the only way to sort it will be new frames, front locker and the door around the Thetford waste tank.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: waspy on 19 April 2009, 22:04:51
As said previously, try tar & glue remover. We use the stuff at work with good results. If you lived close enough, i'd get you some.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: bertiecbx550 on 19 April 2009, 22:06:43
Try £5 worth of petrol and a match....Voila problem solved ;D ::) ::)
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:09:09
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As said previously, try tar & glue remover. We use the stuff at work with good results. If you lived close enough, i'd get you some.

I'll have a look at what's about. Something must soften it without it melting the plastic.  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:09:39
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Try £5 worth of petrol and a match....Voila problem solved ;D ::) ::)

thanks!  ;)
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: waspy on 19 April 2009, 22:10:48
Jizer :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: bertiecbx550 on 19 April 2009, 22:12:07
No problem andy.....if your stuck for a petrol container we have a spare here at work  :y :y :y :D :D ::) ;D
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:17:21
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No problem andy.....if your stuck for a petrol container we have a spare here at work  :y :y :y :D :D ::) ;D

You're very generous!!! ;) ;) :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:18:35
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Jizer :-/

I've tried various degreaser type solvents, but they don't really do anything to the rubber.
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 19 April 2009, 22:19:08
Sorry but

Sand it down and paint
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:20:24
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Sorry but

Sand it down and paint

I'd have to do them all then ......  :-/
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 April 2009, 22:22:30
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Quote
.....
 You say that it's rubber but I doubt that it is actually rubber. .......

It's tyre rubber, you can see the sweep of the rotating wheel.

That's a bit of nuisance. It appears that the best solvent for vulcanized rubber is tetrachloroethane. If I remember correctly that used to be used in Tippex thinners but not any longer. The other problem is that this may melt the plastic underneath.

The problem with vulcanized rubber is that it is so resistant to most chemicals which is usually a good thing.

Sorry can't help more, maybe a call to a tyre manufacturer would get you further?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: webby23 on 19 April 2009, 22:24:27
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Toothpaste? T-Cut? Really, you're looking for a very very mild abrasive to cut through the mark and, hopefully, leave what's underneath intact.

Just to clarify i didnt say toothpaste or t-cut........

I did say its from Wilkinsons, in a toothpaste type tube and its made by the same people that make t-cut..........

 :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: hotel21 on 19 April 2009, 22:30:24
I have used a large rubber/eraser as per school book with some succes then trim cleaner after. . . . .
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:39:46
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I have used a large rubber/eraser as per school book with some succes then trim cleaner after. . . . .

It'll no no harm to try! I'll have a go in the morning before work!  :y
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 19 April 2009, 22:43:43
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...... tetrachloroethane.   ......

That'll be along the lines of dry cleaning fluid won't it, CTC carbon tet?????? Work used to have 'Jenclean' in 45 gall drums, everything was cleaned with it at the time!  :-?
Title: Re: How do I remove rubber from my caravan?
Post by: Andy B on 20 April 2009, 12:21:15
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I have used a large rubber/eraser as per school book with some succes then trim cleaner after. . . . .

It'll no no harm to try! I'll have a go in the morning before work!  :y

The rubber got the rest of the door frame lovely & clean, but it didn't touch the burnt on rubber though.  :'(