Wing removal - sealant

[Oldmogman]

I need to remove a front wing but am concerned the sealing material won't want to let go after all these years, so would appreciate tips from anyone who's encountered similar!

The sealing material I used when fitting the wing was like grey Plasticine and came in strips 12-in by about 1/4-in. I think it was made by 3M. I suspect it's pretty hard by now.

I was thinking of running a Stanley knife along the top edge of the wing where it meets the inner wing to cut the paint so it doesn't flake off in chunks, an then easing the gap open from beneath using a sturdy paint scraper.

Whaddyareckon?

[bmcecosse]

Can't see any real alternative. Sounds like 'seam sealer' to me - can't see it gripping too hard......

[ian.mcdougall]

it was a non setting mastic that as said came in a box looking exactly like new plasticine, so should not have gone hard as in seam sealer, possibly a small amount of heat should soften enough to release , just remembered the name Body Caulking

[moggymayhem]

When restoring my car I had to run a Stanley blade through after heating up quickly

[bmcecosse]

Yes! Caulking - that's the word I was looking for... well done!

[Oldmogman]

Thanks guys, yes, now you mention it, I think it was called caulking.

The idea of softening it with heat is a good one. Will see how it goes.

Was thinking of re-fitting the wing with seam sealer but if it sets like glue, as you suggest, I think I might get some more caulking. Or would mastic be OK if I let it set before fitting the wing?

Thanks all.

[ian.mcdougall]

There is a black mastic in a cartridge used for sealing gutter joins or doing roof repairs you could use that, I would bolt up wings right away as it could take a time to dry/set