I would think a 5” circular hand held Dewalt palm sander with 220 sandpaper would do the job just fine without taking off any measurable amount of slate.
Best way to clean the slate?
- Thread starter Dropabomb
- Start date
Its pretty clear you have not actually done this. The amount of spray glue is ridiculous. That paper would keep gumming up, fact.
TFT
Would MEK melt the glue?
I know how dangerous and nasty it is. Just curious if you tried other chemicals than the acetone mentioned..
I agree with not sanding it due to gumming up the paper...
Acetone is for the WAX and over time might break down the spry glue. Toulene was mentioned earlier work on the Adhesive. I used to use Klean Strip Adhesive remover, they took out the methylene Chloride and now it barely works. It used to MELT the adhesive in minutes..... MEK probably would work, but who carries such stuff for a table set up?? I do feel for the guy, he is a nice guy and I was clear with him on the issues. I been doing this way to long to be messing with all that stuff. I take my time and was already planning on being there 6-8 hours minimum because I had to cover the rails onsite. Add the extra ????? who knows how long to clean up those slates.. Not to mention I could tell they were gonna be a nightmare by how the last guy had all of the levelers so maxxed out. He had originally called for a Brunswick and I did not have a 4, he went his own way and I was trying to help out. Not going through all of that kind of stuff EVER again. I know how to make money and that aint it.
TFT
Nope. Tried it. The glue is too rubbery. You're changing sandpaper every 30 seconds.
I expected MUCH worse... That looks better than 90% of the tables that I work on around here. From what I can see in the photos, it might take me 20-30 minutes to clean.
Get yourself a Razor Scraper, and use standard utility blades. The 4" blades don't work as well. They are too wide, which leads to a number of issues.
To do a final clean up (including the wax), you can use mineral spirits (or Toluene, MEK, or any number of other chemicals) and a scotchbrite pad. You want to make sure that there isn't any glue residue left behind (or at least very little), as the new contact cement won't stick to it (assuming that the installer uses a roll-on type).
Be sure to wear the appropriate gloves. Each chemical requires a different glove material:
Mineral Spirits - Nitrile
MEK - Latex (limited use)
Toluene - Vinyl (limited use)
Additionally, before the slates are placed on the frame, you'll want to back off the slate levelers, such that they are below the surface of the frame.
Where are you located?
I guess I’m referring to the slate seams, and getting off the old Bondo, etc. I was not really thinking about a glue down Coin or Smart table where the cloth is stretched and glued down all the way around, using spray glue. I assume denatured alcohol or mineral spirits might remove it?
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Personally, I'd hire someone to move it to the location and set it as my after work project. Dive deep into threads about pool setup and mechanics and just DIY. Is it a pain? Sure. But it could also be an activity for you and your sons to tackle.
The ask the mechanics forum are very helpful for people who do research and ask the right questions. Sorry you have to deal with this, I get it, it's easier to hire a pro, but if the table is too out of whack it's not worth the effort. That's where DIY as a hobby/learning experience is great.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Razor blade paint scraper. Get plenty of spare blades and one with an ergonomic handle. It's a chore but one you can do. A heat gun might help melt/soften the glue.
There should not be any "extra" visible/ bondo on the slates, its supposed to be a neat lil pink stripe in between the slates. Making a SEAM and not a BRIDGE. Neither of those will work on the solvent based adhesives. Scraping it off is a PIA....This is what I said about the adhesives before " I used to use Klean Strip Adhesive remover, they took out the methylene Chloride and now it barely works. It used to MELT the adhesive in minutes..... "
I am not saying it could not be set up proper and level. I have no doubt that it could be made playable again. In my experience when the perimeters are randomly maxed out and the centers are to = very questionable slate.... All of it equals more and more time. IMO one of the worst situations in business: trying to re-negotiate the pricing with all the extra work with the customer while onsite. Especially add this simple fact: I just decided I didn't want to do it. There are plenty of other guys who will say: well I can do that in 20-30 minutes.... I don't believe that, but, I been wrong before!! I have also spent more time getting that adhesive off without a good adhesive remover than I want to admit and it sucks. They can have at it.
I like FLAT slate. I am not saying Brunswick slate is "perfect", rather this: Its far far better and I never have to do all the Bull$shit that was going to be involved with the job in question. Again, I think the OP is a very nice guy, I was very respectful in giving my reasons for not wanting to do the job and left. Simple as that.
I don't do much service at all and prefer to only work on the tables I sold and that I installed. I know what I am walking into and I am very very comfortable with that.
This is the first time this has ever happened in all of my 10 years and surely will be the last Diamond service job I will ever take on. I was happyI could see all of this adding up to a nightmare and very happy with my decision to pass.
TFT
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A quick search seems to turn up lots of roughly comparable products with Methylene Chloride (aka Dichloromethane) so if that really was the issue then it seems to be a pretty easy one to fix. If it was actually something else then perhaps you or someone else might be kind enough to use your experience to advise the OP on how best to use one of these readily available Methylene Chloride products because you seem to be saying that it is what one would want to use since it works so well for this particular task.
Why is it that you will never sell or work on Diamond tables again? I read all your responses but it wasn't clear to me. Just curious.
Curious how your situation is working out. There is a huge bright side to this. You have a 9’ blue label in your basement
Puts you way ahead of mostupdated pics. Will send some of the completed table when I have time.
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Good for you and yours, glad it worked out