What Are You Using to Remove Old FIPG Material?
 

Just got into doing some engine repair (heads, timing cover, upper/lower oil pan), and I'm finding this Subaru FIPG material is a HUGE pain in the ass to clean/remove!

I've been doing automotive repair work for over 40 years and this stuff is the worst material I've ever had to deal with,.......PERIOD!!

Instead of me getting into a rant, on the stupidity of using this stuff for just about every gasket surface in the engine, (instead of using rubber "O" ring, or traditional gasket material), how are you guys dealing with the removal/cleanup of the mating surfaces,.......and not marking up the surface in the process?

I'd rather not get into using 3M "Roll-Loc" discs because the mar the surface, as well as fling FIPG debris everywhere. Is there a solvent that will disolve/clean cured FIPG?

I used this that I got from an aircraft technician friend, plus healthy elbow grease. I only did a small section, but maybe it could work for you

https://jusntyme.store/products/jnt411b60

I bought a razor blade scrapper which nicely removed the thick, chuncky parts. Then used varsol to soften the remaining film which then scraped off cleanly. It is tedious work but cleaned up like new with time.

Brass brush and brake clean always worked well for me. Let it soak a bit first.