Epoxy removal ?

[drlozier]

I tried putting a thin epoxy finish on a wooden handle and now that it has cured, I don't like it...any suggestions for solvent that will remove it ? It was a two part 30 minute epoxy ( Devcon?) and is now fully cured. Many thanks !

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Sandpaper.

 

[PB Wilson]

I would also recommend buying a box of single edged razor blades. If you run the edge over a smooth piece of metal to create a small burr, you can use it as a scraper with lots of control. They don't last all that long, but if you buy a box of 100 for not much money, you can toss them once they stop cutting effectively and go onto a fresh one..

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/RazorScrape/razorscrape1.html

In this link, a guitar repair guru uses glass microscope slides to remove epoxy that was ham-handedly gooped all over a vintage guitar. Take a peek:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Blogs/40D28/40d28_1.html#3

 

[Mahoney]

Acetone is a solvent for some epoxies. Even if it does soften the epoxy, it may not get it out of the pores of the wood, you still may need to sand

 

[peter r]

sand it .... and hope.
it will be a learning experiance at the very least.

 

[Burl Source]

Sandpaper.

I agree with Bill. Epoxy is easy to sand away. If you are careful with your sanding the epoxy that went into pores will act as a filler and can actually improve the look of the wood when you finish it.
What type of wood are you using?

 

[drlozier]

Thanks for all the great advice. I was afraid sanding would be the best answer. The wood I was using was from a gnarly live oak stump that had started to decay.....I broke off all the soft rotten stuff and sliced away to the interior until I found hard wood with darkened grain lines. thanks again.