Any solvent for removing thick adhesives?

[Americanvanlife]

I recently gutted me '98 dodge ram conversion van and they glued the wooden floor to the metal with a thick adhesive that is proving to be very hard to scrape off and they used more then a generous amount being 2" thick in some places. Am I stuck hacking away at this and chipping the paint or is there a better way?

 

[CaptainBuilt]

Grinder with a flap disc.

 

[John61CT]

You need to know the adhesive to choose the solvent.

Experimenting may be dangerous.

Still a lot of work.

Physical removal best.

 

[highdesertranger]

if you use power tools, use a respirator. highdesertranger

 

[speedhighway46]

I’d use ethyl acetate, sold at Home Depot as lacquer thinner.

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE - LOW FLASH POINT - DANGEROUS VAPORS

I’ve used this material for jobs such as you describe for most of my life, and I’m an old coot.

Don’t cut any safety corners, think of EA as liquid gunpowder.

 

[John61CT]

See if you can find a power chisel, Arbortech is the best known.

 

[Zil]

Harbor Freight air tools work well and the price is right. Those construction glues are difficult to clean with solvents.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

And if you are going to use solvents in an enclosed area like a van you need a fresh air breathing mask.  Can't replace your lungs.

 

[Groovy2]

use HEAT / Heat gun