Epoxy Removal?

[Rat Finkenstein]

How do I remove an insanely thick layer of epoxy that was applied to a handle wrap? I want to take the wrap off, and strip the finish. What will do this?

 

[Cougar Allen]

Soak it in acetone (nail polish remover) or paint remover. It could take hours, but it will come off eventually.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

Thanks, Cougar! I will have to pick some up.

 

[HoB]

Depends quite a bit on the epoxy that was used. Organic solvents might do the trick, though Aceton acts quite differently than paint stripper. You can safely mix them if you don't want to try them one after another.

Actually, probably the easiest would be dipping the handle quickly into liquid nitrogen. Most epoxies will crack in seconds (long before the metal is cooled down) and you can simple brake it off with your hands (make sure to wear gloves, even thin latex gloves are enough to protect your hands enough to give you some warning before you get freezer burn) or a screw driver. But that might be a bit difficult to come by if you don't have a source.

 

[Mahoney]

Heat will soften a lot of epoxies as well, I would suggest very carefull application of a heat gun if the acetone does not work.

 

[rifon2]

Home Depot or Lowe's - I was in one recently, I don't recall which - and there was an entire section devoted only to products for adhesive removal.

I was amazed at the amount of stuff out there for this purpose. Epoxies, caulkings, silicones, paste glues, you name it.

If you're happening by one of those places, I would stop in to take a look.