Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I had a bunch of adhesive residue from wheel weights on every wheel of my 2002 Porsche 911. Why do I care? Well some of them were really long strips and close enough to the face of the wheel to be clearly visible when the wheels are mounted on the car. No matter how much wheel cleaner I used, these areas would just not get clean. I read on the Internet (so it must be true) that brake cleaner works for removing this stuff. I had some Goof Off Pro Strength and also obtained some 3M Adhesive Remover (the one that has Auto Advanced on the can). I used some plastic razor blades as scrapers.
Initially, I only had the brake cleaner and Goof Off available. Later, I went out and bought the 3M. My method was to apply the chemicals to each patch of adhesive and let it soak for 5 minutes. This turned out to have basically no effect whatsoever (below): http://www.autopia.org/forums/attach...id=33200&stc=1
I then reapplied the chemicals to each patch and immediately started to scrape with the plastic razor. I found that the patch treated with the Goof Off was easier to remove. To be fair, the brake cleaner did OK but the Goof Off did a much better job when the adhesive patch appeared to have been removed but there was still tackiness on the wheel surface. http://www.autopia.org/forums/attach...id=33201&stc=1
I then tried the 3M and compared it with the Goof Off. It seemed to be a little more effective overall, but you can achieve good results with both. Later, I found that the 3M is great at removing tar and pretty much anything else on the wheels that wheel cleaner doesn`t remove. http://www.autopia.org/forums/attach...id=33203&stc=1
The 3M product seems to be about twice the price as the Goof Off.
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Bal- Interesting as this has been something I`ve dealt with since adhesive weights came out way back when.
I`ve never tried the (presumably new version) aerosol from 3M, just the the old pre-VOC stuff in the rectangular can, which works *incredibly* well for me (so I bought a lifetime supply). I even gave a can to my Audi tech to keep at the dealership. My best results come from soaking a paper towel (prefer the Viva ones that`re "cloth-like") and using that to let the solvent dwell for a while before using the plastic razor blades.
03-28-2017, 03:01 PM
ShakingHorizons
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I just did a set of wheels for a Lexus ISF that had more wheel weight pad/glue than I have ever seen in my life. I used almost an entire bottle of Goo Gone and about 20 plastic razor blades. I did the same thing as you almost - I sprayed the wheel down with Goo Gone, let it sit for 2 minutes or so, then squirt more on as I was scraping. It was a pain in the butt, but worked well for the most part.
03-28-2017, 03:03 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Thanks for this as I`m going to get new tires soon. I`ll get some Goof Off and make sure I have plastic razors and see how well I do
03-28-2017, 03:03 PM
Bal
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I`d really thought that soaking them would help but my guess is that the solvent never really penetrated the adhesive and just evaporated. Your technique of soaking a towel and presumably leaving it on top of the adhesive sounds like a better approach. The car is 15 years old and I imagine that some of the residue is almost that old and has sat in desert heat (car is originally from Palm Springs).
I got curious and looked up the MSDS of both products. They primarily contain acetone, xylene and ethylbenzene. Goof Off also has methanol, whereas 3M has solvent naphtha. Seems like 3M might have a higher concentration of some of these.
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Bill D - my top tip would be to thoroughly clean the wheels before you do adhesive removal. That dissolved adhesive will run and drag dirt all over the place. Once you`ve removed all the adhesive, you`ll probably find it worthwhile to spray the wheel barrel with solvent and run a microfiber over it to remove any tacky areas. You`ll see what I mean in my long wheel video about 8 minutes in.
03-28-2017, 03:21 PM
mobiledynamics
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
dunno if goof off is the SAME as goo gone, but goo gone Pro works for me. Pro being the key word I suppose as when you use goo gone vs gg pro, the P is noticably stronger
03-28-2017, 03:37 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bal
Bill D - my top tip would be to thoroughly clean the wheels before you do adhesive removal. That dissolved adhesive will run and drag dirt all over the place. Once you`ve removed all the adhesive, you`ll probably find it worthwhile to spray the wheel barrel with solvent and run a microfiber over it to remove any tacky areas. You`ll see what I mean in my long wheel video about 8 minutes in.
I`ll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks again!
03-29-2017, 12:42 PM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Bal- Yeah, that "dwelling via soaked towel" seems to make a big difference. The challenge is getting the towel to stay in place but I get the feeling that what I`m doing is a lot easier than how some others are approaching this. But then the Pre-VOC 3M is probably more potent than the stuff they`re selling now too.
03-29-2017, 12:53 PM
Oneheadlite
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I`ll chime in as a technician who`s done my fair share of tires. (Also as the type of technician that actually removes the leftover stick`m instead of just leaving that junk for the next guy).
Here at our shop, 98% of the time we use Brake-clean. I`ve used the CRC stuff at home in the past, but haven`t been blown away by it. We use Winzer non-chlorinated, low VOC stuff. Active ingredients from the label are Acetone, and 3 kinds of heptane, and Toluene. (just for comparison sake). I`ll spray it on a shop towel, then rub it on the adhesive spot. If there`s still a big patch of it, then I`ll switch to a plastic scraper (I use a plastic trim tool ground to a wedge) to start at one edge and roll the foam off. Final touch up with another shot to the towel and a wipe down. I`ve done this same sequence with the 3M adhesive remover (non spray-can can).
As Bal mentioned, good idea to wipe down the area when you`re done as sometimes you leave an invisible sticky film.
Hope this helps.
03-29-2017, 01:02 PM
Mike lambert
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Gyeon tar works well also
03-29-2017, 01:12 PM
Bal
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Oneheadlite - thanks for this. Sounds like the Winzer product has similar components to the 3M and Goof Off Pro.
My neighbor plans to do the same with her wheels on her Mini (they seem to attract brake dust like nobody`s business). We`ll try the shop towel method because I know there are some pretty long stretches of adhesive residue.
03-29-2017, 01:45 PM
Oneheadlite
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I think the act of trying to use the towel to "scrub" off the residue helps work the solvent into the foam to help it release.
03-29-2017, 01:50 PM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Oneheadlite- Glad to hear things are done properly at your shop. Sigh...if only everybody did it that way.
03-29-2017, 03:09 PM
mobiledynamics
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
While not always the rule, IME, when getting new rubber, the weights generally tend to land on the same ~area~.
One must be careful to not accelerate possible adhesion issues in removoing old glue if new weights are on the same plane.
LOL. Talk about timing of this thread.
Co-worker asked me what do I use to clean my wheels/wheelweels......
He had his tires replaced at Costco, and I suppose between dirty wheels and tech not cleaning the surface, co worker was missing weights on all 4 wheels !
03-29-2017, 06:11 PM
Bal
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobiledynamics
While not always the rule, IME, when getting new rubber, the weights generally tend to land on the same ~area~.
One must be careful to not accelerate possible adhesion issues in removoing old glue if new weights are on the same plane.
LOL. Talk about timing of this thread.
Co-worker asked me what do I use to clean my wheels/wheelweels......
He had his tires replaced at Costco, and I suppose between dirty wheels and tech not cleaning the surface, co worker was missing weights on all 4 wheels !
That definitely makes sense that they would be in the same place. Not sure what the story is with my wheels then because I had stickies all over the shop :wacko: and on one of my neighbor`s wheels there`s a foot long strip of sticky residue. We both recently had tires mounted and balanced at a local alignment shop that is trusted and specializes in racing setups so I`m confident that the current weights are correct for the car.
I`ve heard of the "screwdriver method" of wheel weight removal too... Ugh.
03-29-2017, 06:21 PM
mobiledynamics
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I`m OCD when it comes to tire/wheels. Partially because I spend way too much money on both.
I got a preferred tire guy...hes a good hrs drive from me. Has great equipment.
Everything is all touchless. Even on alignments, the new touchless clamps that go on the TIRE and not on the wheel is a godsend !
IMO, it`s worth it to pay a little bit extra for the shop to force/match mount the tires.
It minimzes the amount of weights needed per wheel...
03-29-2017, 06:25 PM
mobiledynamics
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Way OT, but at the end of the day you have 4 things the size of a dinner plate - that is holding you onto the road....that`s it !
Don`t buy cheap tires.....
03-29-2017, 06:45 PM
Swanicyouth
Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
So, I have a trick I`ve shared before - that may be worth repeating... Mind you, I only recommend doing this as a last resort. However, I have done this on paint without causing damage - so I know it`s safe & quite effective if you are careful...
1. Get a MF wax applicator pad & prime it with a liberal amount of some heavy cut compound.
2. Then, soak the pad with Goo Gone / Goof Off/ or mineral spirits. After that, apply some working compound to the pad.
3. Then, get a heat gun & warm up the glue until it`s pretty hot.
4. Then, buff the glue with some downward force (using your hands) while the glue is hot. You can keep everything hot while you buff - you may get some smoke. Don`t set your self or anything on fire. Keep the pad wet with whatever you are using. Again it will be hot & you will get smoke - so don`t set yourself on fire.
I`ve found the above way to work when absolutely nothing else will, or when something else is taking forever.
03-29-2017, 06:55 PM
Ronkh
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
<--- I`d set myself on fire
Quote:
Originally Posted by Swanicyouth
So, I have a trick I`ve shared before - that may be worth repeating... Mind you, I only recommend doing this as a last resort. However, I have done this on paint without causing damage - so I know it`s safe & quite effective if you are careful...
1. Get a MF wax applicator pad & prime it with a liberal amount of some heavy cut compound.
2. Then, soak the pad with Goo Gone / Goof Off/ or mineral spirits. After that, apply some working compound to the pad.
3. Then, get a heat gun & warm up the glue until it`s pretty hot.
4. Then, buff the glue with some downward force (using your hands) while the glue is hot. You can keep everything hot while you buff - you may get some smoke. Don`t set your self or anything on fire. Keep the pad wet with whatever you are using. Again it will be hot & you will get smoke - so don`t set yourself on fire.
I`ve found the above way to work when absolutely nothing else will, or when something else is taking forever.
03-29-2017, 07:06 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I`m too chicken to try that It sounds like I`m going to have to set aside plenty of time for this once I get my new tires
03-30-2017, 11:20 AM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Also kinda off-topic, but keep an eye peeled for "balancing indicator dots" and have the tech try to align them with the valvestems. Astounding to me that so few "Professionals" know to do that...had to educate my guys, and they`re people I consider good (well, good enough to be the only guys in those shops allowed to touch my vehicles).
03-30-2017, 02:12 PM
GearHead_1
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Just to back Accumulators comment it should also be understood that manufacturers of both tires and wheels use dots differently and many wheel manufacturers do not use dots, some tire manufacturers only use one dot. My experience is that high end wheels ususally have a mark, this is particularly true with 2 and 3 piece wheels. I assume that this is because of the possibility in stacking tolerances that can potentially result in additional runout. High end tires often have 2 marks. Not all manufacturers of wheels mark a low spot on the wheel leaving the valve stem as the only point of reference. If the wheel and tire both use an index mark the process can be a little different but many don`t use the wheel mark either out of habit or convenience, they just use the valve stem.
The red dot indicates the high spot on the tire and is to be used as the location for measuring tread wear, theoretically this is where tire wear should be measured as opposed to just using wear bars, high spots wear the fastest. The yellow dot represents the lightest part of the tire, sometimes called the point of maximum force variation. The yellow dot should be lined up with the heaviest part of the wheel, theoretically the valve stem. This practice is called phase aligning the tire.
There are a couple of mounting options however depending upon on both the tire and wheel manufacturer`s use of dots. One way is that the yellow spot (sometimes white depending on manufacturer) should be mounted on the heavy spot (valve stem) on the wheel. In which case the red dot would be the high point on the tire, and wear the fastest, indicating the need for replacement sooner that other places on the tread. The other option is to place the red spot (high) on the low spot (valve stem) on the wheel, or if the wheel has a separate low spot mark from the valve stem, then try to match the red high spot with the marked low spot.
This all said, if you don`t see a dot above your valve stem I wouldn`t get too worried about it. Modern wheel balancers can make most any mounting combination, regardless of where the dots are mounted, balance to a point where there is no discernible vibration.
Unless of course you have a set of tires that are matched perfect in staggered spectrum that is. ;)
03-30-2017, 04:46 PM
HCF
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I`ve used goof off and it`s worked but goof off gel worked better think being that it`s thicker and I let it soak in
03-31-2017, 01:52 PM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
GearHead_1- Thanks for expanding on the "dots". I can`t recall seeing `em on any of my wheels, but I`m going to keep an eye peeled from now on.
But yeah, while seeing the dots *not* indexed bugs me, the actual balance works out OK if the tech does his job. It DOES bug me though, it`s like marring or curb-rash...says "Hey world, I don`t know what I`m doing!"
03-31-2017, 04:48 PM
GearHead_1
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Accumulator
GearHead_1- Thanks for expanding on the "dots". I can`t recall seeing `em on any of my wheels, but I`m going to keep an eye peeled from now on.
But yeah, while seeing the dots *not* indexed bugs me, the actual balance works out OK if the tech does his job. It DOES bug me though, it`s like marring or curb-rash...says "Hey world, I don`t know what I`m doing!"
Your welcome and I get that completely. It`s kind of like, well you could have, why wouldn`t you? Marks on the wheels are usually on the inside bead on the face side of the wheel. Many of these marks don`t make it through the first set of tires.
04-01-2017, 03:55 AM
DBAILEY
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I would have used a pin-stripping removal wheel to remove the weight adhesive since you had taken the wheels off and had easy access. Try using Stoner`s XENIT next time. I find it works even better than the 3M.
04-01-2017, 06:39 AM
mobiledynamics
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
isn`t there somewhat of a ~curve~ with using said tool - aka, it can remove paint if not in the right hands....
04-01-2017, 12:12 PM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
While I`d never use/allow the use of the Wheel on exterior paint (yeah, I`ve seen those "doesn`t this look fine? Whaddya mean `no` ?!?" type results) I`d use it on the inside barrels of certain wheels. Not the ones I care about though.
DBailey- Huh, interesting that something works better than the 3M!
GearHead_1- Come to think of it, some of my German wheels have green/tealish dots on the innser lips...IIRC at least...
04-01-2017, 12:24 PM
Bal
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBAILEY
I would have used a pin-stripping removal wheel to remove the weight adhesive since you had taken the wheels off and had easy access. Try using Stoner`s XENIT next time. I find it works even better than the 3M.
Thanks for the tip on Xenit. I did see a YouTube video with a Dutch guy using a wheel. I can see how I would mess that up...
04-01-2017, 02:46 PM
GearHead_1
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Accumulator
GearHead_1- Come to think of it, some of my German wheels have green/tealish dots on the innser lips...IIRC at least...
I had a set of Enkei`s quite a while back that came with a sticker on the face bead of the wheel to mark the spot. The stickers would of course peel right off. I knew what it was used for when they were mounted and used it accordingly. That said, I can see how it can literally be a one use benefit unless you remembered to mark the wheel using the tire spot when changing tires out. Sometimes the dots on the tires don`t make it until it`s time to change tires. Other manufacturers spots can be very difficult to remove from off the rubber. I have a pretty good memory but I suspect many don`t think that far "down the road", literally. You`d also have to be standing over the tire tech`s shoulder to explain what it is you want done.
A lot of tire mounters would think you were nuts if you had them put a crayon stripe on the wheel to match the old tire and then match the new tire to that mark on the wheel. Let`s face it often times the turn over rate on tire techs is high. Just about the time you get one trained to really understand all the nuances of mounting and balancing expensive wheels and tires, they`re moving on to greener pastures. I guess what I`m trying to say here is that it`s understandable that the common practice is to match the valve stem to the tire, that`s something just about everyone can remember.
04-01-2017, 03:42 PM
rlmccarty2000
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Thanks Gearhead, I`ve seen the dots but never knew what they were for.
04-01-2017, 04:25 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Uh oh given what I`ve read so far, I`m not looking forward to getting new tires. I highly doubt anyone around here is a perfectionist enough to mount them as good as described above
04-01-2017, 04:57 PM
GearHead_1
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill D
Uh oh given what I`ve read so far, I`m not looking forward to getting new tires. I highly doubt anyone around here is a perfectionist enough to mount them as good as described above
It would be my hope that the most important thing any would gather from anything I`ve related in this discussion is that a good wheel balancer and a tech that knows how to use it will make a tire ride and perform very well regardless of a dot here and a dot there. :)
04-01-2017, 05:02 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Maybe I can mention about the dots but not expect them to actually line them up. I might jump for joy if some how I do get an Autopian tech :)
04-02-2017, 11:31 AM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
GearHead_1- Heh heh, the only guys who touch anything on my vehicles know me well enough to be used to the "oh, he`s nuts...just humor him" ;) I learned my lesson about using "the TireRack recommended local installers", learned it the hard way so my wheels/tires travel a ways to be done by somebody I trust.
The dots on my tires have always lasted the life of the tires, still see `em on tires that`re [so old I won`t post it :o ] which contributes to my dismay when they`re not lined up, seeing `em for years...
Are Hunter balancing machines still the [stuff]?
04-02-2017, 12:21 PM
Bill D
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
I just got the goof off. I`ll see how it works.
04-02-2017, 12:48 PM
GearHead_1
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Been a while since I`ve been in the middle of it Accumulator. Hunter and Coats were pretty well respected balancers in the day. We used both. I think Rotary and Bendpac are in the game these days too.
04-02-2017, 12:54 PM
Accumulator
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
GearHead_1- Should I, heaven forbid, have to find somebody new it`d pay for me to stay current :D Tires for the Tahoe and Crown Vic (wheels & TPS for that one too I`m afraid) are in my future. Been keeping the rubber companies in business lately, just did the `93 and `00 Audis last autumn.
04-02-2017, 01:11 PM
Bal
Re: Goof Off vs 3M Adhesive Remover vs Brake Cleaner for removing sticky stuff
Quote:
Originally Posted by GearHead_1
It would be my hope that the most important thing any would gather from anything I`ve related in this discussion is that a good wheel balancer and a tech that knows how to use it will make a tire ride and perform very well regardless of a dot here and a dot there. :)
Agreed. I send my friends to the local shop that does race setup and alignment. It isn`t just the tires and wheels, it is all the rest of it. Worth the extra $s.