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beezbaby

epoxy removal

beezbaby
18 years ago

I used some epoxy on my stone fireplace to harden a hook to hang a wreath. Is there any way to remove the epoxy?

Comments (14)

  • abnorm
    18 years ago

    Heat from a heat gun will soften the epoxy on the stone.......

  • Jill_77
    18 years ago

    Any suggestions on removing dried epoxy from fabric? (cotton)

    thanks!

  • Jill_77
    18 years ago

    Any suggestions on removing dried epoxy from fabric? (cotton)

    thanks!

  • abnorm
    18 years ago

    Sorry Jill77

    the porous nature of cotton fabric allows any product to completely absorb and bond to the fabric.......

  • mich_2007
    16 years ago

    We repaired a crack in our linoleum kitchen floor with epoxy and would like to know how to remove the extra epoxy from around the repaired crack
    Thanks

  • bus_driver
    16 years ago

    Foresight helps when using strong materials for crack repair. I use masking tape around the crack to prevent the epoxy from contacting the surrounding surface. Or use vaseline, keeping it out of any area where the epoxy needs to bond. The cured epoxy can be removed mechanically- can you say sharp knife? Do you have a neighbor who is a surgeon?

  • fingal_gardener
    14 years ago

    My friend used Simple Green to remove epoxy paint from varnished wood cabinets. She placed it full strength on a damp rag and wiped it off. Worked great.

  • orourke
    14 years ago

    I have removed epoxy with Acetone. However that was for small pieces that could be completely immersed in acetone and I think it took a few hours for the acetone to weaken the epoxy bond. I'm not sure if epoxy on a wall can somehow be soaked with acetone long enough to weaken the bond. Besides, acetone is a strong solvent and can dissolve all kinds of stuff (plastics etc) that you may not want to, so be careful!

  • fixizin
    14 years ago

    Ketones, such as Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) will soften most epoxy products... generally less aggressive to surrounding materials than acetone, but TEST to be sure.

  • brickeyee
    14 years ago

    "My friend used Simple Green to remove epoxy paint from varnished wood cabinets."

    Epoxy paint is only remotely related to epoxy adhesives.

    The thin layers used in paints are far more easily attacked than the thicker films used in adhesives.

    MEK will dissolve epoxy given time, and warming it helps.

    Put some MEK in a glass jar, cover loosely (aluminum foil works well) and place the jar in a pan with some hot water.
    Swirl the jar every few minutes for about 5 minutes, then use an acid brush (the little 1/2 inch wide type) to apply the MEK to the epoxy.

    Be careful about finishes.
    MEK can attack and soften a lot of finish materials, and damage many plastics.

  • Sara_m_Kuhl_hotmail_com
    12 years ago

    You should NEVER heat a solvent, especially something as volatile as MEK!!! And ESPECIALLY with a gas stove... But oh man is that a bad bad bad idea... I totally understand thinking it would help dissolve, but you'd probably be better off using a heat gun/hairdryer on the epoxy, then applying ROOM TEMP solvent. Personally, I would try to apply the solvent with a cloth or paper towel, then cover with plastic wrap or something to keep the solver in contact with the epoxy.

  • inox
    12 years ago

    MSDS for methyl ethyl ketone:

    Here is a link that might be useful: MEK MSDS from Science Lab

  • brickeyee
    12 years ago

    "You should NEVER heat a solvent, especially something as volatile as MEK!!! "

    MEK is not especially bad, and has a very narrow flammable limit. (1.8 to 10%)

    If you use an electric heating source or a double boiler setup with adequate ventilation you will not exceed 212 F.

    Folks heat paraffin for candle making all the time, and it is plenty flammable in the liquid state.

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