Need tips for removing foil backing on insulation board

? Most folk aren't using foil backed sheets, or even that type of foam. Most use the bare "blue, green, or pink, " close core foams.

You should consider another thin layer of another foam over that one...??

Aside from that sanding might work better, or make a bigger mess...??

   A grass mat wouldn't care about being glued. A few ripples and bumps actually form nice terrain, throw down that candy wrapper and cover it right up with a grass mound

I guess it depends on what your plans were.

 

 

I would try using a hair dryer.

Thanks for the comments.  I do have a grass mat that I had planned to use 2 sided carpet tape to install over what I thought would be a bare foam surface (after removing the foil of course).  I've decided that this Johns Manville foam board will not give up its wrapping easily or without a lot of work or "cratering" the surface so it's on to "Plan B" which would be to just attach the grass mat to the foil.

I have two options.  As I said, I have the carpet tape but I also have a tube of Locktite Power Grab construction adhesive.  I could use them both I suppose if necessary.  I'm not sure which one will be better but I imagine one of them will work.

I'd use the tape . It tends to like smooth foil and things shifting is the main concern. The track will hold it down.("pin" into foam as much as possible and don't worry about "stripping screws" vs screwing solid into the wood...they transmit noise) .... I mean what are the chances you turn it on its side anytime soon..... and 4-8 screws thru 3" cardboard squares to a loop can come to the rescue then. I swear there is little need for anything other than pinning against shifting...or warped track. I really do suggest just a few bumps and waves in the mat too.

windhund42 posted:

Are there any tips or tricks for removing foil backing from Polyisocyanurate insulation foam board?  I'm ready to insert it into the train table and figured it would come off both sides in one sheet.  Wrong.  It's coming off in slivers.  It's going to take me a long time to remove it like this unless someone can offer so insight or suggestions.

It was stored in my very cold garage for a couple weeks.  Do I need to let it warm up to room temperature first?

I, too, prefer that type of foam board. Most suppliers only stock the foil faced anymore as that is what sells for construction. They can't afford to stock the plain sheets.

I tried to remove it on one sheet and gave up. I have to travel 85 miles to get to a distributor that stocks the plain boards of poly-iso. It is much nicer the EPS.

I ended up using the Loctite Power Grab adhesive to glue the grass matt right on to the foil backing.  No problems other than a few bubbles but as a couple of guys said but that gives the board "character" and is better than a flat as a pancake green surface. 

Will the foil have any affect on the signals for a command control system?

Bill in FtL

That's a good question.  I don't even know what command control is since I'm a beginner.  My sole source of power is a Lionel 1033 transformer.

As to your question- don’t. Go get some without backing. Just my opinion 

Bill Nielsen posted:

Will the foil have any affect on the signals for a command control system?

Bill in FtL

It sure can affect TMCC/Legacy.  The effect could be good or bad, that's somewhat the luck of the draw.  I know I won't be putting any tinfoil on my layout!

The command signal transmits by radio usually, but the track doubles as a emitter antenna in some systems.

    The foil hat the crazy guy on the corner wears may block an alien signal  or may reflect it  in a complimentary way, hard to say, every situation is different.

The 1033 is a decent medium sized 1 train unit capable of running most PW trains just fine and/or can power command ok too.  A good step up would be an LW (125w) or 2-train KW(180w), VW(180w) ZW (250/or 275w), or near any prewar or modern equals over 125w.

I told you bumps were for the best, lol  

 

I've looked at all of the transformers you've listed before on eBay and would really like to get one of these at some point.  I think the LW would be a nice bump up for me.  When my father in law passed away, I inherited a bunch of Lionel stuff but the one thing I did not get was his ZW (275w) transformer.  That went to my brother in law (his son) and as far as I know it's still sitting somewhere in his house, gathering dust.