Kayak Restoration Questions

I have two problem with the kids' kayak that I'm not sure how to resolve.

The first is how to remove old GOOP.  I need to replace the fish-finder's transducer water bath puck.

And Craig, I need to replace it because it's damaged - smushed to where it wont hold the transducer or water.  I'm not just over-complicaing stuff.

The GOOP is as hard as a rock.  I've never seen GOOP get this hard nor cling this tenaciously.  Does anyone know how to remove old, rock-hard GOOP?

Second is working with some of the straps that are stiff.  They aren't sun-damaged, they're just very stiff, making it hard to adjust the seat back.  I haven't tried anything to get them more subtle, yet, because I wanted to ask you fine folks if you've ever had to do this.  I haven't.

The sooner I can get the strasp to wriggle and can get the puck out, I'm done - and I am looking forward to that day.

 

Tinker, try here for Goop removal
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=http://eclecticproducts.com/downloads/tds-amazing-goop-craft-english.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjcrOTmsL-CAxX4MzQIHaB0CjUQFnoECA4QBQ&usg=AOvVaw0MUtce0tNz3CBeEpwG-zSM

Thanks.  I'd read about toluene, but after they removed it from Goof Off, it's near impossible to find.  But... methyl ethyl ketone softened it enough for me to slide a putty knife under the Goop to pry the puck out.

And I still have all my fingers.

Check the area you used MEK on for solidity.... I can't find anything published but I recall that junk being dangerous to plastics... and, d'oh!! Toluene is even worse... that I know from experience

Check the area you used MEK on for solidity.... I can't find anything published but I recall that junk being dangerous to plastics... and, d'oh!! Toluene is even worse... that I know from experience

I had the MEK around from when I was dying PVC pipe to match the color of a Trident I no longer have so I could use the pipe to secure the tip of my fly rods when launching and landing and thus, the pipe had to be color-coordinated because - DUH - fly fishing... but that's a different story, isn't it?

From my somewhat limited experience, it doesn't penetrate the plastic to any significant extent the way I use(d) it. It's primary commercial use is to soften rubber, so it did a fine job of softening the GOOP enough to allow me to peel it off the way GOOP is supposed to behave.

Plus, I washed the whole inside of the kayak when I was done.  I even used soap.

Thanks for the heads up, Mr. R.  One can never be too careful when fooling around with strong industrial solvents.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND NOR ENDORSE USING METHYL ETHYL KETONE AT HOME FOR ANY PURPOSE OR FOR ANY REASON.  It's seriously nasty stuff, and I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote about using it.  Obviously, exposure to the fumes killed off more neurons than I thought.