Body / Glass: Removing rain gutter sealant

[3rdGenStude]

I need to address some nasty surface rust on the front of my GT's roof on a temporary basis, and have decided that painting a white "sport roof" wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

In preparation, I need to address the cracked and dried out sealant in the gutter.
1. How thoroughly does it need to be cleaned out? Most is coming out simply by scraping with a screw driver. But here and there some is left hanging on, especially up by the edge of the stainless trim.
2. Does any solvent eat through this stuff?
3. From reading three other threads on the subject here, I've concluded I should be using 3M Flexiclear #08405 once I have the gutter cleaned out and prepped. What do others use to "tool" the sealant? Finger tip? Up by the windshield I think I can get my little finger in, but above the side windows, it's pretty tight.
4. Any other advice, either for application of the sealant or for painting it after it's cured?

Thanks

Paul

[doofus]

A blunted screwdriver and small hammer will get that chalk like crud out, just chip away at it,a small fine bristle paint brush will do to tool the 3M Pucky, follow common sense and manufacturers recommendations to paint.BTDT Luck Doofus

[57pack]

On my 1947 Champion I used a small wire wheel attached to my angle die grinder.
I was painting entire car and there wasn't any stainless gutter moldings to contend with.
I resealed the gutters with 3M drip check sealant, no issues in years since done.

[GrumpyOne]

A handy little tool called a "chip chaser" can work wonders...

http://www.skygeek.com/aircraft-tool-supply-sp2005s-stubby-chip-chaser.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_content=aircraft-tool-supply-sp2005s-stubby-chip-chaser&utm_campaign=froogle&gclid=CPvSobSOmc0CFQUMaQodWwcLXw

An absolute must if you work or have ever worked in the aviation world... And CHEAP too!

[swvalcon]

Are you doing the drip rail all the way around or just the front? I would dig it out with anything sharp and use a self leveling seam sealer. They make a special self leveling seam sealer just for drip rails. let dry overnight is best before priming and painting.Just run some 2" masking tape on the drip rail mldg. and around the top as wide as you want the seam sealer to be so it doesn't run all over the roof. leave it on until sealer is pretty well set up then remove tape before you prime and paint.

[rockne10]

Whatever you use to seal it, make certain there is no silicone.
Whenever I did mine the tool got ever and ever tinier. My final hand tools were various picks. Made me feel like a dental hygienist.


The final tool was a folded piece of sandpaper.