Removing Adhesive/Glue from dash pieces, Suggestions on what to do to remove glue Options

[keefer37]

On two of my dash pieces, there is some sort of adhesive (looks like superglue). It's on the large dash piece surrounding the center console where the stereo, hazzard button, etc. is. There's also some of the same adhesive on the passenger side AC vent. Should I just pop these suckers out and try something like Goop or Goo Gone to get this crap off? I want to paint or add a dash kit, but obviously can't do it while this crap is there.

[bufferdan]

Try Goo Gone...Ive had good luck with that stuff and removing stickers and such.

[bufferdan]

or even some paint thinner

[keefer37]

Do I have to worry about damaging the plastic pieces using any of those products?

[bufferdan]

nope! I have used both on the paint of the car before with no bad effects..

[keefer37]

Well I'm proud of myself! I pulled the center shifter surround/cigaretter lighter adapter off, and then unscrewed the two hidden screws that keep the center console/stereo surround in place. I pulled the piece away, and disconnected it from the digital clock and the hazard lights button. So far so good.

I bring it inside, and as I'm watching a movie, I get to work on cleaning up that piece of plastic. The cell phone holder came off in two pieces and pried right off. Then, I tried some Simple Green and Goo Gone. Neither worked real well, though it loosened the adhesive residue left over under the cell phone holder, but no such luck on the super glue. I tried some rubbing alcohol and still no luck.

So I Googled and found a site about tactics for removing super glue. It suggested several things, including nail polish remover and fine sand paper. I used fine sand paper (the finest I had) and that did the trick! It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better before. After I got the majority of the glue off, there was just a little discoloration, and three little blemishes left behind by the glue. I took some Novus plastic polish (which I use for the pinball machine) and then used some Armor All protectant.

Plus, I think I'm going to get a brushed aluminum kit for the dash, or possibly a carbon fiber one. So now, that piece is prepped and ready for that.

I've still got the passenger side air conditioning vent to do the same thing too, though I might buy some nail polish remover and see if that works.

Anyway, I reassembled everything in the car and it all works! I was afraid the cigarette lighter adapter wouldn't work, or the clock or hazard light wouldn't work. But it all worked! Woo hoo! I'm not real handy, so was proud of myself. I guess a lot of the credit has to be given to Toyota for making an idiot proof interior.

This post has been edited by keefer37: Jul 27, 2004 - 10:21 PM

[celimanST]

Fingernail polish remover is one if the best thing remover such things because there is just enough acetome to remove the glue without damaging materials.