Getting rid of "Great Stuff" foam

[2bits]

**** UPDATE****
This question is resolved, it was actualy a non-issue. I had previously used it on non-smooth surfaces such as brick which was a pain so I was worried, but when it is applied to a smooth surface like plywood or aluminum the great stuff just pops off in big chunks. I actually had great luck just using a putty knife. No solvents or special effort required.


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Hey guys and gals, I am about to pick up a '67 Scotty Sportsman that is a rebuild and all of the windows and gaping holes are filled with the foam wonder named Great Stuff. I want to rid my self of this parasite. Once I remove the trim, windows and door and complete my razor blade removal treatment, how can I get the rest of the little stuff off? I humbly bow in acceptance of the ugliest camper award! LOL

[backstrap bandit]

Hi 2 bits I just googled great stuff removal and at their web site it tells u if already dried there is no chemical to remove it u will have to cut, scrape, drill, grind , sand blast it to get rid of it and then u can try to scrub the remainder wit a mid abrasive to clean up residue wish u all the luck backstrap

[Fenlason]

Yeah that stuff is "nasty". I have used it a bit. Just recently I used some in my new shop. My wife touched some of it before it was cured and it stuck to her. She later asked how to wash it off, having tried "everything". I said it will eventually wear off.

[Rainier70]

Good luck on the foam removal. Is the foam around the windows, or actually over the windows?

It looks like you have quite a project there, but if the walls and ceiling are sound it could be a nice little camper. I like the look of the Scottys. Well, not the camo look of this one, but anything you do on this one will be an improvement!

[Fenlason]

I think it is cute in an ugly sort of way… or so ugly it's cute.. or...

although if you moved into a campsite next to me like that.. I might be nervous.

[2bits]

Sounds like I might be in the market for a sandblaster and just use it without a blasting cabinet to get all the paint and stuff off of there... will be alot of sand but worth it. Not sure if that's even possible, I would love bare aluminum on the bottom and the standard Scotty green on top.

The interior is complete but painted in the same horrendous way. When I looked close at the photos, the cabinets are all there and nothing is busted, and there wasn't any rot or separation at the seams of the walls, although roof has extensive git er done repairs. The exterior walls are straight, but the roof is completely unrestorable, there is actually a huge floormat tarred down to keep it from leaking haha.

My plan is to remove the windows, door, trim and entire roof. Throw the roof away, clean and paint the exterior walls to the original style, clean the windows and door and reinstall with new headliner and sheet of aluminum for the roof with no roof vent. the interior should just be a new coat of paint, polishing aluminum trim, installing a bed and table and rebuilding the entire drop floor which is rotten, the rest of the floor seems OK. Walls seems solid too. I'm sure I'll have to rebuild all the roof and front and rear window framing tho when I redo the roof.

I'd like to use this since it is smaller than my Shasta, and sell the Shasta. I also had an idea to make the drop floor into a permanent shower pan. The shower would be powered by a standard kitchen sink sprayer and a long hose, and a shower curtain rod on the cieling that could be stowed. We'll see how that works.

I'll start an official build thread once I get it, I don't think it's too bad for a couple hundred bucks.

[Backroads4me]

Behind all that "rustic-ness" is so much potential---I can just imagine it now! I showed Bob the photo as he walked by my computer----also, mentioned the "Great Stuff" foam removal you have to do. He agreed that stuff isn't so great when you need to remove it

[48Rob]

Thomas,

You might consider checking out Nancy's Scotty page.
http://www.nationalserroscotty.org/rebuilds/index.html

She has a great resource for Scotty owners, including a lot of rebuild info.
They are in general, built like a teardrop, with plywood sides, spars and roof.

Most need a total teardown and rebuild, but are very nice when done.
Some trailers, depending on what you want to spend, are better off left as camo and just used as is.
The level of enjoyment can be the same, with a lot more money left in your wallet for camping and marshmallows! (Or beer, or...

Rob

[2bits]

Thank you Rob, that is something that I had noticed different about the Scotty's is that they used a plywood wall vs stick built like the others. This one definitely won't be staying camo though

i really like the low profile and drop floor of the Scotty's, that was the draw for me to pull the trigger on this one. Thanks for the link I think my evening is now planned!

[48Rob]

Thomas,

Somewhere in my travels on the Internet, I came across a piece on a trailer with a drop floor like yours, that had been converted to a "shower stall".

Can't remember where, but at least now you know it has been/can be done.

Rob

[rowerwet]

Uncured great stuff is easy to shape or remove with kerosene, cured the sandblaster is your best bet, other than just cutting and scraping. You could try stuff like goo-gone not sure though. The foamies have more experience using GS and may know.

[DrCrash]

Fire works well. I had to remove a good sized piece and have the underlying surface clean. I used a propane torch like a heat gun . Try not to hold it in one spot long enought to start a fire just enought to melt it. Use gloves and an old putty knife. Repeate untill it is glean then whipe down with mek if you can find it.. MEK [methal ethal keytone ] or some other strong solvent. Oh and do not use the torch around or near anywhere by under any condition with the solvents.

[Dale M.]

Might try something like Cheap spray can carburetor cleaner.... IT dissolves a lot of things you do not want to dissolve.... Suggest grind and scrape till its down to minimum first to save spray can stuff.... Also plenty of ventilation fumes from carb cleaner will make you light headed and dizzy... No telling what it will do to your "system"...

Dale

[2bits]

Thanks guys! My buddy Dave had suggested brake cleaner which is one of my go-to items as well. I'll let you know how it goes, I am working outdoors so I will be good with avoiding fumes. I am picking it up Saturday morning and will attack pulling the windows first that afternoon. and will post a link to the build thead once I get something halfway accomplished.

It atually has a screen door too! Although they Great Stuffed it to the cabin door, I guess to keep it out of the way LOL... the door and storage compartment look like OSB in the photo, but it is just the paint it is actually the original door with the Bargman handle (Broken handle but possibly repairable).

I think I will avoid the fire idea but it's an interesting thought. With aluminum being so fragile I would be afraid of it melting. If the scrape and wipe with multiple choices doesn't work, I'll look toward sandblasting. If I do that I'll probably do all the walls completely bare. Even if it is dinged up, I would like the bare alumimnum even oxidised.

More to come, thanks for all the great ideas!

[Dale M.]

Sometimes you really have to wonder what people are thinking OR NOT thinking.....

Dale