Trix/tips for removing foam

[roughshot]

Aside from a small saw, a paint scraper and a flat shovel. Does anyone have a tip to removing floation foam?
I did removed foam from about 4' of my 22' last night and it took about 1.5 hours. with that calculation I have almost 5 hours left to remove it all. oh joy!

 

[lowvlot]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

My foam was easily removed with a six inch drywall knife a flat blade screwdriver and the claw end of a hammer.

 

[petermarcus]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I used a wire brush on my drill, which basically shaves it into snow. I tended to shave the edges against the stringers and bulkheads until I had a couple inches around, then pry it up with a pry-bar.

 

[roughshot]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

Thanks guys!
I expected it to be grunt work.
I had read almost all the threads relating to foam and removal and it is what it is. Work. I will pick away at it again tonight for a couple hours. I think it will be the hardest job of the entire project.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I used a flat prybar. drove it under and around the edges and it popped out in mostly big chunks. Depending on your restoration style,
It will not be the hardest, but is a pain in the rear.
Have a great day.
Bob

 

[geeco1]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

Someone else on here gave me this idea and it worked pretty well.

Take a wide spade drill bit. (1-1/2 to 2 inches). File off the point, then put it in your electric drill. It will chew the foam up into small chunks. Just be careful not to get to aggressive when getting close to the hull. I just hit the foam with the drill in sections then vaccumed up with shop-vac. The remaining foam is then easily scraped up with a putty knife.

 

[Stampeder]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I've seen comments elsewhere about using one of the multitools like Fien makes of the HF on that sells for $39.00.
Has anyone had success with that approach?

Thanks.

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I've seen comments elsewhere about using one of the multitools like Fien makes of the HF on that sells for $39.00.
Has anyone had success with that approach?

Thanks.

I tried it. It was much like shaving a dog. Slow and messy.

I used the flat pry bar and a big hammer...and few stiff drinks.

 

[BF]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I read somewhere on here about someone using a whipper snipper to clean out the foam... Claimed it worked well. (?) I haven't tried it myself, but thought it deserved an "A" for originality.

 

[roughshot]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I tried it. It was much like shaving a dog. Slow and messy.

I used the flat pry bar and a big hammer...and few stiff drinks.

I can supply pletty of stiff drinks if you want to help. But after not doing it all day today, I'm ready to get back at it tonight.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I would rather have 50 lashes and be dumped into alcohol before doing that again. No wait...was that grinding??? I cannot remember, they both sucked!

 

[clockwatcher]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I can supply pletty of stiff drinks if you want to help. But after not doing it all day today, I'm ready to get back at it tonight.

I feel your pain. I did most of my nasty work in November/December. That helped. I don't know where you're at, but it's too darn hot in the DFW area. Those vibrating tools are useful. I used the Rockwell version to zip cut my stringers out after fighting the sawz-all and grinder. It makes a nice sander too. It'll cut your foam out, but it's going to take a while.

Frisco is right about the grinding. If I ever grind glass again the boat will be on it's side in a wind tunnel and I'll be wearing a NASA space suit.

 

[109jb]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

I used a wrecking bar, and a small pry bar which got most of it. Jam it between the hull and the foam and pry up. The foam popped off in big chunks.

 

[roughshot]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

Added the saws-all to my tool list last night and it along with the shovel made light work of the top 4-5 inches of foam. The bottom 4" required hands on chipping with a scrapper and long screwdriver.

 

[Stampeder]

Re: Trix/tips for removing foam

OK, so this sounds as exciting as root canal......

Frisco:

You live just a few miles west of me and you have all that experience....I have many stiff drinks available....so it only makes sense.....

Seriously though will the temperature continuing to run in the 100's this is a little job that will be waiting til November or later. Here in East Texas we do fencing and jobs like this in the winter months when the heat, the snakes and the fire ants are gone.

Does anyone know where I can get a center windshield for a 87 SeaRay Seville??

Cheers.