Trs5405

Hey guys, working on taking the arch off my 28 Sonic and its proving to be a difficult task. Ive got all the bolts unbolted, but cant seem to break the bond of the adhesive between the gunnel and the arch.

I had the marina hook it up to one of their forklifts and the arch was bending more than it was moving from the adhesive.

What did you guys use to break that bond in order to get the arch off?

Thanks,

Wally

thats crazy! but ive had good luck taking some un-waxed floss and doubling or tripping it up and sawing my way back and forth through the silicone and under the part.

Trs5405

Thats not a bad idea, i will definitely give that a try along with some marina formula debonder

zz28zz

I bought a gizmo from home depot a while back for cutting PCV pipe in tight situations. It's basically a thin steel cable with a handle on each end. Sounds like it would work great but may scratch gelcoat. They sell a similar gizmo to cut through sealant around automotive windshields.

Wally

Thats the idea...im just cheap when it comes to doing it one time! LOL if i was doing that kind of work more often i would probably invest in something more robust

Velocity941

Sonic arches were installed with 5200. The final sealing was done with a layer of white silicone to avoid yellowing, which 5200 is known to do.

sonicss42

It’s been many years since I took the arch of my 33’ but all I can suggest is take your time. You will have to cut the silicone/5200 with all sorts of very thin sharp tools. Make a cutter out of a putty knife will work. Do not, do not get cocky when you think you have it partially free and pry up the rest of the way. You will destroy the fiberglass under the arch. Once off you will have the holes to address. I made step plates to put over them. Good luck and post some pics.

Trs5405

I was able to remove the arch cleanly, with absolutely no damage to the fiberglass on the gunnel or the arch!!

For anyone in the future doing this, the easiest way I was able to do this was to heat the blade of a paint scrapper and use it to cut the adhesive...SUPER IMPORTANT to not heat the blade too much or it could melt your fiberglass.

Also used some Marine Formula Adhesive debonder, it helped a bit but not as much as the heated blade.

Pics will be uploaded once I get the holes addressed!