How to remove epoxy?

[jimmycrackcorn]

a guy at work just scored a 54" matco box top and bottom, cost him $1150 all together to get it to work, got it on CL

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p62/erner718/toolbox001.jpg

Does anyone know how to remove epoxy from a painted surface without damaging the paint? guy who owned the box had a cady emblem glued at the top key hole. He also wants to remove the painted "charlie" name. Looks like they used the kind of paint pinstripers use.

i google search, and read that oven cleaner, or acetone would work....

[nissan_crawler]

a guy at work just scored a 54" matco box top and bottom, cost him $1150 all together to get it to work, got it on CL

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p62/erner718/toolbox001.jpg

Does anyone know how to remove epoxy from a painted surface without damaging the paint? guy who owned the box had a cady emblem glued at the top key hole. He also wants to remove the painted "charlie" name. Looks like they used the kind of paint pinstripers use.

i google search, and read that oven cleaner, or acetone would work....

Be VERY careful with acetone on there (and anything else, really). I would be trying it on the bottom of the box first.

[Nealcrenshaw]

I'm thinking i would use a heat gun as you gently pry it off. Not bad for $1150. Not bad at all.

[Jononon]

Does anyone know how to remove epoxy from a painted surface without damaging the paint?

I very much doubt it, as pretty much the only things that will remove hardened epoxy are ablation, heat, or dichloromethane.

Acetone won't touch Oneshot once it's gone off. Oven cleaner or lye (oven cleaner is just lye and a foaming agent) should remove it.

:shocking: In both cases you'll probably destroy the underlying coating :shocking:

Personally I'd either kiss them with a DA sander and then respray or find a couple of appropriate decals and stick them over the top (probably the latter, because I'm cheap.)

[nissan_crawler]

Well, "epoxy" couldn't be more vague, nor could the removal techniques, without knowing what it is.

[Jononon]

Well, "epoxy" couldn't be more vague, nor could the removal techniques, without knowing what it is.

What I posted above applies to most, if not all, widely available two part epoxy adhesives. If he's used something novel then all bets are off on removing it other than by ablation, but, either way, getting it off without damaging the surface finish seems unlikely.

[jimmycrackcorn]

kissing it with a sander, seems to be the best option, wet sanding then buffing it out ....

[sammerdog]

Jononon has the right idea - just cover it up with either a decal or a magnet. Start trying to sand and then match up red paint is just going to worsen the situation.

Has your buddy thought about switching his name to "Charlie"?

[Rusty Kustoms]

I cannot help you with the glue problem but you can wet sand the painted name off and then buff it back out, use 2000 grit and a little elbow grease. Mine sits next to a trash can and had paint and dirty thinner splashes on it and I buffed it out

[helgrind]

I'd try a heat gun on the emblem.

[russlaferrera]

Just a thought. Can you use a razor, the one that bodymen use for paint runs?

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Try a eraser wheel on the painted Charlie.

[Shocker]

Acetone should dissolve epoxy. It is about the most universal destroyer of coatings as far as I know.

I am not talking about nail polish remover. :)

[nissan_crawler]

What I posted above applies to most, if not all, widely available two part epoxy adhesives. If he's used something novel then all bets are off on removing it other than by ablation, but, either way, getting it off without damaging the surface finish seems unlikely.

I use 2-part epoxies at work that can be removed without damaging the base material. Again, it depends on what it is.

Acetone should dissolve epoxy. It is about the most universal destroyer of coatings as far as I know.

I am not talking about nail polish remover. :)

Acetone can also be a destroyer of many paints, hence my caution on trying it on the bottom first.