How to: remove foam on side pannels and hood

[turbonium]

I notice my foam was full of water from riding and made my pannels heavy.
I think they put it on for sound to pass epa.

Anyone know an easy way to remove the foam from under the hood and the side pannels. It wants to make a huge mess if i just yank on it.
Thanks for the help.

 

[chief 8101]

The easiest way I have found is to use a putty knife while pulling on the foam with your hands. You end up with a little residue left that can then be burned off easily with a small torch.

 

[Bigrock33]

foam

brake cleaner and a putty knife. Does this void the warranty?

 

[AndrettiDog]

Ain't it a biotch? I heated both sides and removed the foam with a putty knife. Then lots of elbow grease in removing the sticky stuff.

 

[Old Scud-doo]

I just bought orange side panels from the dealer. No foam at all.

 

[crf118r]

Mine was peeling a little on the clutch side so I pulled and it all came off! That's easy!!

 

[GMCRMK]

The foam pulled off easy on mine too but I then proceeded to use Solvant to get the glue off and holy chit, I must of scraped up a softball sized ball of rubber glue before I got it all off. Also pulled alot of the silver paint off. So, I stopped after one panel and will see how wet the foam really gets during the snow season before I do any more.

 

[Kestrel2126]

I just pulled what I could off, then used a wire brush attachment on the end of a drill, to get the rest off. Ya it definitely didn't make it look too pretty as far as scuffing paint, but I really don't care what the inside of my panels looks like. Besides, I don't think you could ever get all that adhesive off, and it looks like garbage anyhow. I would suggest putting some good quality reflector tape, anywhere that is close to the pipe and can. You'll notice that the foam that is in those spots, is covered with a heat resistant fabric, where the rest of it is just a thin piece of regular fabric. Don't want to go melting your panels!

 

[WyoPro]

This is just a thought and I've yet to try it or hear of anybody that has, but what about a spray on water repellent. It seams that the issues is snow collecting on the foam and then the foam absorbing moisture and resulting in a heavy mass off ice. You can buy outdoor spray moisture repellent and water-proofing for around 5 bucks a can. Has anybody tried this?

From the sounds of it there is a possibility that Polaris may void the warranty due to the removal of foam so maybe this is a good alternative. I might give it a shot before this weekend and let you know what happens.

 

[Kestrel2126]

There is about 90 different threads I have seen in the last few days, regarding Polaris voiding warranties. I really find it hard to believe that Polaris is going to void the warranty of a sled, based on the foam being removed from the panels. And if they are only voiding the warranty on the panel, I am willing to bet that the warranty on a panel is only good for a manufacturers defect of that panel anyway. I don't expect them to replace it if I roll the sled down a hill, why would I expect them to replace it if I put vents on, or pull the foam out.

 

[Kestrel2126]

Furthermore, if they were really going to void the entire sled, whats stopping a guy from just getting new plastics, and bring it in for warranty with stock plastic. How are they going to account for that?

 

[stephenr_65]

I just bought orange side panels from the dealer. No foam at all.

I want the orange panels what did they set ya back

 

[mtnpull]

The foam comes off a lot easier and without a lot of residue if the panels are cold. Don't do it right after a ride or on a warm day.

 

[Bagger]

what about a spray on water repellent. .

Seems reasonable, but most of those types of products are pretty flamable, probably ought to ensure it's dry and well aired out before use.

Bag

 

[Snow Snake]

After mine got soaked with oil because the oil cap was cross threaded. I took a sharp knife and skinned the foam off, then took WD40 and a rag and cleaned the left over’s off of the panel. Then I took Dawn dish soap and wash the side of the panel along with the rest of the oil that all over everything. There is a post talking about spilling oil when fill the oil tank, he was right any oil on the clutch coved will run down and drip in front of the clutch. Guarantied it is a mess and not any fun to clean up.

 

[m8sandman]

your local parts store or auto paint store will have some emblem adhesive remover, it comes in a spray can. tear out what you can of the insulation then spray the rest with the remover, after you let it sit about 5 minutes it will turn the rest of the foam and the adhesive into a goo you can then use a plastic tool such as a window ice scraper to scrap most of the goo off. when you have just a small amount of residue left you can then use the remover and a rag to get the remainder. does a very clean job.

 

[WXNic]

Max at Tri City told me specifically pulling the foam off will void warranty and even some venting would push it. I'd find out specifically first. Like you said though, if you pick up new panels and put them on, no bid deal.

 

[snow4me]

So do we or do we not have to use reflective tape in place of the foam? On the muffler side panel it has that aluminum heat shield.

 

[spivy122]

I would be careful removing the foam and heat shield by the exhaust.

After 30 mile of riding mine, it has rubbed the paint off the silencer by rubbing against the metal heat shield. That was 30 miles with out any carving with the side of the sled in the snow. I can worry if I remove the foam and that heat shield that I will burn through the plastic if I roll the sled on its side.

 

[Arcteryx]

????

Max at Tri City told me specifically pulling the foam off will void warranty and even some venting would push it. I'd find out specifically first. Like you said though, if you pick up new panels and put them on, no bid deal.

I hope this isn't true. That would be pretty %^$&ty of Polaris to give a 4 year warranty to attract buyers to the new platform and then void a warranty over taking the foam off a side panel. I don't mind it voiding any warranty on a side panel, that makes sense. But if they are saying it voids the warranty on the sled that is the biggest bunch of bull $*(& I have heard.
It's like Polaris saying "oh ya give us a try, sorry about the problems with your 800 cranks, or your 800 top ends, let us show you we can take care of you on the new 800 with this nice 4 year warranty!!". "Oh what's that, you put a tunnel bag on your sled, sorry that voids your 4 year warranty". Total BS!!
Don't get me wrong, I ride Polaris and have a new Pro in my garage. I just expect a little more customer focus than we have gotten over the last decade. Maybe I expect to much. I guess we will find out the real deal with the warranty soon.