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        General >> Problems >> Sicaflex removal
        
(Message started by: kskjon on Dec 7^th, 2005, 8:13pm)

Title: Sicaflex removal
Post by kskjon on Dec 7^th, 2005, 8:13pm

Hi,

as I'm having some time off atm, I'm doing some small repairs on my Scorp, one of them being a fog light fix up. The right front foglight hasn't been working since I bought the car, and today I bought a new light bulb for it.

Got the fog light loose from the bumber, and disconnected the plugs. Changed the bulb and reconnected the plug to the fog light. Nothing.
Disconnected and checked for connection in the fog light with a multimeter, everything was ok. Checked the wires for power, checked ok.

Then I noticed that the two pins on the fog light connection was loose, so they get pushed aside when I connect the wire.

Okay, I though, probably need to have a look at the inside then, maybe I can fasten them somehow, but then I found that the previous owner had glued the fog light together with sicaflex. Normally, I should be able to bend the three clips and pull off the rear of the light housing?

How on earth do I disassemble it when it's glued?
Anyone have a tip on sicaflex removal?

Title: Re: Sicaflex removal
Post by Simmo on Dec 7^th, 2005, 9:17pm

I'm not sure what the adhesive is you mention but often with these products the application of gentle heat, ie very hot water or a hair dryer,will soften the adhesive sufficient to enable you to release it.

Title: Re: Sicaflex removal
Post by kskjon on Dec 7^th, 2005, 10:05pm

sicaflex is a flexible silicone compound, A LOT tougher to remove than regular silicone.

Quote:

Sicaflex is used extensively in the boat building inductry. a mate of mine works for Austal Ships as a production manager. He said thats what they use to fix the joinery in their boats they building. The material will fail before the Sicaflex will.

Title: Re: Sicaflex removal
Post by Highlander on Dec 7^th, 2005, 10:19pm

Maybe another foglight is the easy answer :)

Title: Re: Sicaflex removal
Post by kskjon on Dec 7^th, 2005, 10:30pm

Yay! actually got it loose now.. used a sharp knife along with a huge flat screwdriver.. managed to bend and cut it partly open, enough to fasten the connection.

Anyone know of anything which can be used to dissolve silicone based stuff? I suspect there's more sicaflex to be found, and the brute force and sharp knife may not always work.. :-)