Best way to remove old gaskets material

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  • giganticflying
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    Best way to remove old gaskets material

    Hey, what is be way to remove the old stuck on gasket material? I can see that there is a little groove and I don't want to damage it. Thanks.
  • Nessism
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2006
    • 35787
    • Torrance, CA

    #2
    Permatex gasket remover works well. Spray it in a cup and dab it on with an acid brush or similar. Give it 15 mins. to work and then scrape away. May take several applications.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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    • giganticflying

      #3
      Is there no other way? It just seems like paper, but it's pretty stuck on there.

      Comment

      • koolaid_kid

        #4
        Ed knows what he is talking about. Please listen to him.

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        • OriginalOwner

          #5
          A flat razor blade, patience and a steady hand.

          Keep it flat and be careful not to gouge or shave the (soft) metal.

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          • JEEPRUSTY

            #6
            Gack a razor. May work but think of the blood.

            I use gasket remover for all my gasket removal chores.

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              Isn't this just your valve cover gasket you are trying to take off? It shouldn't be that stuck. But you've got some good advise already.

              Comment

              • Big T
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                Super Site Supporter
                • Mar 2005
                • 12391
                • West Slope, OR

                #8
                Originally posted by giganticflying
                Hey, what is be way to remove the old stuck on gasket material? I can see that there is a little groove and I don't want to damage it. Thanks.
                Gasket remover or paint remover, as Ed said

                The groove isn't critical

                Are you still messing with the carbs?

                I thought you dipped them 2 weeks ago
                1978 GS 1000 (since new)
                1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
                1978 GS 1000 (parts)
                1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
                1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
                1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
                2007 DRz 400S
                1999 ATK 490ES
                1994 DR 350SES

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                • giganticflying

                  #9
                  I'll pick up some gasket cleaner today.

                  I have to pause the project for a minute. The first week of this month I moved, started school and worked all seven days. Been pretty busy, but glad I finally have some free time to finish this project.

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                  • Gorminrider
                    Forum Sage
                    Past Site Supporter
                    • Aug 2012
                    • 4803
                    • British Columbia, Canada

                    #10
                    I use a putty knife. Wider can be better to reference flat surfaces. Narrower is also useful. Sharpen these at 90 degrees- never to a blade edge.
                    Last edited by Gorminrider; 10-16-2013, 12:43 PM.

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                    • JTNWEVO

                      #11
                      I use brass brushes. Takes a while but comes off without damage to aluminum.

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                      • Weeksz

                        #12
                        I paid like 10 dollars for the permatex gasket remover and went through the whole can and am only about 30% finished-and thats only because i used a plastic puddy knife and a razor. It did nothing on my base gasket. Let it sit for a week as I worked on other things, re applied, still no dice. Hard as a rock. It must not be for paper gaskets because it didn't do jack. I wont waste my money again.

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                        • storm 64
                          Forum Sage
                          Past Site Supporter
                          Super Site Supporter
                          • May 2012
                          • 4582
                          • Youngstown,Ohio

                          #13
                          I just removed my valve cover gasket last night. It was stuck on there good. I use a carpenters wood chisel. The one's that have that screwdriver type handle on it. Yes, you must be careful not to gouge the aluminum. Then I used a block with 220 sandpaper to dress everything up. I was fortunate that 95% of the gasket was stuck to the cover and not the head. Good-luck Oh, one more tip. Wear gloves.
                          My Motorcycles:
                          22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                          22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                          82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                          81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                          79 1000e (all original)
                          82 850g (all original)
                          80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

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                          • MrFreeze60

                            #14
                            I went and got a few wire brushes for my dremel and used them. I set the speed about half way, around 12K I think, and took my time, and it come off pretty easily. Took about 5 minutes per bowl. I then sprayed them real good inside and out with carb cleaner to get the residue off of them.

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