[AZ64GP]

I recently removed the original sound deadening/thermal insulation stuck to the roof of my '64 Grand Prix. My car is about to go in for body and paint work and I wanted a clean slate inside...all of the other interior has also been removed.

My plan was to install either a spray-on coating or a mat thin enough to be used as a sound/thermal barrier behind the headliner (stuck to the underside of the roof) right before my interior is redone. The original insulation was a kind of a felt/cardboard material and it was nasty. I heard it's toxic stuff and I wore a respirator the whole time I removed it.

I was able to scrape and remove almost all of it, but there is still a residue behind along with the remnants of the insulation still stuck to the roof. I'm sure whatever coating or mat I use will need to adhere to a clean surface, so this residue needs to go.

Does anyone know how to (safely) remove the residue of the original insulation and get the underside of the roof clean enough to install a new coating? I don't know if paint remover or some other chemical would work, but I don't want to end up with a more toxic mess than I already have. Doing the work overhead makes it even worse. If anyone has done this before and has a solution, I'd appreciate the advice. Thank you!

[HWYSTR455]

CRC Gasket Remover will do it, and it's nice you don't have to worry about where you get it.

They make a 'Red' can, and a 'Green' can, take your pic. Green is more enviro-friendly.

https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-oz-05021.html

https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-oz-03017.html

You can use some rocker anti-rust when you go to re-assemble, along the roof line and in the windshield pillars. Or POR-15. Can POR-15 the roof too, or use Eastwood Rust Encapsulator, glue sticks well to both. The Eastwood stuff is a little more compatible, if you're worried about that.

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-bl...over-rust.html

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[AZ64GP]

Thank you, HWYSTR455! That is fantastic! I will pick up some of that gasket remover from the auto parts store this weekend. I used a similar product to the POR-15 by KBS Coatings for the trunk floor and interior floor. I'll get some of that, POR-15 or that Eastwood product for the inside of the roof.

[lust4speed]

How did the CRC remove the residue? I've got a Bonneville ceiling I'm dreading to start. So far have scraped off the bulk of the fluff and hit the remainder with a power washer which basically didn't touch it.

[AZ64GP]

lust4speed,

I've been too busy to spend any time in the garage, but I went out there this morning. I used the "green" can of CRC spray and it worked okay. I hoped that I could spray the stuff on and the glue and remnants of the backing of the headliner insulation would just come off. Not quite.

The spray definitely got rid of the glue very well, but the bits of backing of the headliner insulation mostly stayed stuck. I had to use some force and three applications of the CRC on each part (spray, wait 10 minutes, then scrape, then repeat). It works much better than just trying to use a scraper and no gasket remover and its great on the glue, but the CRC isn't magic either. Still takes a lot of elbow grease and multiple applications. Once you're done, the surface is a bit slimy and you have to clean it off. I'll probably have to wash the surface with a damp towel before I paint.

I used about half a can and I still have about 2/3s of the underside roof of the car left. I just ordered a "red" can of the CRC hoping maybe the other CRC version will be stronger. I'm going to try to do the rest of the underside of the roof next Sunday so I'll see how that goes. I'll update this thread.

Good luck with your Bonneville!

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, the red is stronger, works better, but it is some pretty nasty stuff. It will eat skin. Or at least the older formulas would. I used to use it to clean carbon off my dirt bike cyl head, worked great for that, and found it was useful on a lot of other stuff.

Acetone works too, but for the gummy type glues, you have to soak a rag and hold it on there for a while, needs to remain 'wet', which is difficult because it evaps quick.

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[AZ64GP]

Thanks for the info, HWYSTR455. I got the "red" can in today and I'm going to keep working on it this weekend. I've been wearing safety glasses, a long sleeve shirt, rubber gloves and a respirator using the "green" can and I'll do the same for the "red" can. I'll post another reply once I've finished.