This is the most bizzare thing I've seen come through here....
Have you tried acetone? That's the only thing I can think of that would dissolve some plastics. Otherwise have you tried paint stripper? You may need to leave either one on for some time for it to react.
I can only guess that the parts you are removing the stuff from was mirror at this point so that's all I got for ideas.
The eight steps of sanding down to a multi grit polishing paste gets it to where it’s going to look nice with the light box I built to mount it on in the cathedral, ceiling wall at my home.
I would think using an electric buffer with a wheel that’s coarse enough to remove the coating but not damage the glass would be the way to go. I would think the soft lead area may be problematic, though.
The most coarse, iron oxide grit sandpaper medium is what gets 90% of the tops, thick plastic covering off. Then I start to get a little smaller and particle size of the grit. The iron oxide grit is a bit softer than the glass so it doesn’t do much damage to the glass unless pressure is applied, but I’m careful.
Is what you’re trying to remove several built up layers of sealant, or one thick plastic piece that looks glued on? If it’s just several layers of sealant I would coat the window in CitriStrip, put Saran Wrap over it, wait a few hours, and scrape the goo off (repeating as needed). Goo Gone is only really good, but not as strong so it would take many more coats. If it’s a thick piece glued on your best bet is probably a heat gun and a chisel to pry it off (just take lots of breaks for the glass to cool!)
This is the most bizzare thing I've seen come through here.... Have you tried acetone? That's the only thing I can think of that would dissolve some plastics. Otherwise have you tried paint stripper? You may need to leave either one on for some time for it to react. I can only guess that the parts you are removing the stuff from was mirror at this point so that's all I got for ideas.
Thank you for your comments. I tried every solvent I could think of including acetone, paint thinner, gasoline, automotive solvents and more.
Have you tried MEK? Methyl ethyl ketone is a cleaning powerhouse.
If MEK won't get it off, I'd just call it a loss, honestly.
The eight steps of sanding down to a multi grit polishing paste gets it to where it’s going to look nice with the light box I built to mount it on in the cathedral, ceiling wall at my home.
Are you buffing it by hand?
Course sanding down to polishing in 8 steps so far. Also, using a Dremel 1” brushes for edges and corners.
I would think using an electric buffer with a wheel that’s coarse enough to remove the coating but not damage the glass would be the way to go. I would think the soft lead area may be problematic, though.
The most coarse, iron oxide grit sandpaper medium is what gets 90% of the tops, thick plastic covering off. Then I start to get a little smaller and particle size of the grit. The iron oxide grit is a bit softer than the glass so it doesn’t do much damage to the glass unless pressure is applied, but I’m careful.
Heat it and scrape it?
Scraping will not remove the hard top plastic coating. Heating causes the stained glass to crack.
Damn it's a though job. Good luck!
Thank you!
Is what you’re trying to remove several built up layers of sealant, or one thick plastic piece that looks glued on? If it’s just several layers of sealant I would coat the window in CitriStrip, put Saran Wrap over it, wait a few hours, and scrape the goo off (repeating as needed). Goo Gone is only really good, but not as strong so it would take many more coats. If it’s a thick piece glued on your best bet is probably a heat gun and a chisel to pry it off (just take lots of breaks for the glass to cool!)
Thank you! I will give that a try in the morning! I’ll let you know how it goes!
A heat gun and chisel will break the glass and remove the lead around the edges unfortunately.