Rapid Remover Adhesive Remover FUMES

[Norman Clifton]

Over the weekend I had a patient transfer truck that was covered in reflective vinyl. Spent 2 days removing decals and worse the remaining adhesive residual; I used Rapid Remover Adhesive Remover to do this and soaked the adhesive and scraped it off.

• What a job ☹ - anyway completed – the issue is I tackled the adhesive removal on Sunday since no one was around and worked with the overhead door wide open. However this morning the fumes lingered and we had to open all doors to clear out the building -0 including the one unit beside us,

Would appreciate any suggestions for the next round - ?
I used wallpaper steamer and heat gun to remove decals but the adhesive was the worse part of the job.

 

[Gino]

If you use decent ventilation, either or should not have an odor remaining too long. Never had a problem, but I never mixed the two.

Make sure the adhesive remover was for interior use.

I always put the rapid remover on and let it soak for maybe a minute, then use a plastic razor blade to scrap it off. Once it's basically off, I use another coat of remover and use wet (water) paper towels to do a final rinse and cleaning.

 

[Solventinkjet]

Put a fan at ground level blowing out the garage door. The VOCs in rapid remover are heavier than air and will sink to the floor. If you blow it out, it won't accumulate and fill the space. The fumes aren't toxic but they can cause irritation and just smell nasty.

 

[unclebun]

It can be your trash. All the paper towels and stuff. The bag needs to be sealed up and taken outside immediately.

 

[citysignshop]

I find there's waaaaaaay less fumes if you get rid of the big SPRAY bottle, and just dispense onto your rag/cloth etc, and wipe that onto the surface! This almost eliminates the 'overspray' which gets on the paint Beside the area intended....if you don't see it and clean up quickly, it often etches the surface and becomes a new hell to cleanup! If you really must spray, Zep makes a gel type spray can, BIG orange I think it's called, just an industrial degreaser, and it works as well, or Better than Rapid Remover.

 

[Black Star Signs]

I had an employee pass out while using Rapid Remover in a confined space.

 

[dezenho]

gasoline

 

[Gino]

Yeah, that'll work real good. What ever made you think of that as adhesive remover ?? Don't you consider gasoline on a vehicle's finish kinda dangerous ?? It'll ruin the paint, rubber and plastic parts. It's vapors alone are quite flammable.

 

[MNT_Printhead]

Switched to Vinyl Off, I hate RR

 

[PrintNinja]

i can taste that stuff.. hate it too. but it works. Always wear HD disposable gloves. and work with a door open. its probably the garbage/overspray it dosent take much and letting it soak in is key. If i have to strip something adhesive heavy like reflective. I would lay a sheet of used vinyl liner under the car with the silicone side down. to catch the glue boogers that scrape off before they get stuck to the floor. keeps some of the drips from soaking into my concrete.

 

[TradeBalanceBoss]

Coconut oil or pretty much any type of fat removes some adhesives really easily (be generous with the oil/fat). It soaks into the adhesive (work it in that left over adhesive really good) making it really gooey and can be mostly wiped off. Then follow up with alcohol to remove the oil/fat and thin layer of gooey adhesive. This doesn't work on all adhesives though. Try it out on something, you will be amazed. CHEMISTRY. Minimal chemicals and fumes!

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

you talking about the orange smelling stuff? i didn't know that was toxic. i kinda like the smell.

 

[Norman Clifton]

Thanks Everyone! - The garbage prob played a big part in it - after working all day in it I guess i didnt smell it bad - fan and floor covering are great ideas and will also try different removers.

 

[tulsagraphics]

you talking about the orange smelling stuff? i didn't know that was toxic. i kinda like the smell.

Yep. Citrus cleaners contain d-Limonene. The weaker formulas you'll get at box stores have a low concentrate (e.g. 15%), so they're nearly worthless for our industry.

The stronger stuff, like what I use -- 92% concentrate (regular spray formula usually clocks in at about 82-84% concentration, aerosols are capable of low 90s). 92% works better than RR, and it's way cheaper (1/3 of the cost). Smells great, but can also mess you up if without adequate ventilation.

Just a quick excerpt from an MSDS sheet:

Health Hazard
SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include irritation and sensitization of the skin. It may also cause eye irritation and damage. Ingestion of large doses may lead to albuminuria and hematuria. This type of compound irritates all tissues intensely and may cause circulatory collapse. Ingestion of this type of compound may cause abdominal burning, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysuria, hematuria, unconsciousness, shallow respiration, and convulsions. Inhalation of this type of compound may cause dizziness, rapid and shallow breathing, tachycardia, bronchial irritation, unconsciousness and convulsions. Anuria, pulmonary edema and bronchia pneumonia may complicate recovery after either type of exposure.

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: This compound is a skin irritant and sensitizer. It is also an eye irritant. It may be harmful by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. (NTP, 1992)
Reactivity Profile
D-LIMONENE is sensitive to exposure to light. Atmospheric oxidation can occur. This chemical is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. It reacts violently with (iodine pentafluoride + tetrafluoroethylene). With dry hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide, it forms monohalides. With aqueous hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide, it forms the dihalide. (NTP, 1992)

 

[TheAngryCanadian]

The Big Orange is the best one I’ve found and used now for 25 years. Now the most important info for glue removal. After laying down the glue remover let it sit for a few minutes!!!!!!! It takes time to start to break down those solvent adhesives. Let sit 5 + min and longer if your environment is below 65. You’ll use less chemical and it will come off better you can use plastic wrap to cover the area too to help slow the chemicals from drying if it’s really warm.

 

[tulsagraphics]

The Big Orange is the best one I’ve found and used now for 25 years. Now the most important info for glue removal. After laying down the glue remover let it sit for a few minutes!!!!!!! It takes time to start to break down those solvent adhesives. Let sit 5 + min and longer if your environment is below 65. You’ll use less chemical and it will come off better you can use plastic wrap to cover the area too to help slow the chemicals from drying if it’s really warm.

I don't know what Zep's concentrate is, but there's a good chance the one I use is a very similar (if not identical) formula. It was about 25 years ago when the owner of this company had this formulated. He basically purchased every brand he could find, picked the strongest one, then sent it to a lab for formulation. I remember him saying that 92% was as strong as they could get it.

Similar price point too. Either way, great stuff. I use it all the time.