Epoxy is a permanent adhesive that is used on many surfaces, from plastic to metal. Once hardened, it is very difficult to remove. It is sold in liquid form and, when mixed with another component, it increases its temperature and then cools and hardens. You can remove it by returning it to a liquid or at least gelatinous state, so that you can scrape it off the surface. If you follow all safety procedures and are patient, it won't be such a complicated job!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: with Heat
Step 1. Put on a mask and gloves
When you heat the resin, you release vapors into the air that are harmful to the eyes. Don't limit yourself to a pair of goggles, you need a mask that "seals" the eye area without any holes or access points for air. For the same reason, wear rubber gloves that also cover your wrists by at least 7-8cm. If possible, get a model with elastic at the wrists to prevent debris from falling into it.
Step 2. Put on clothes that cover the skin
Look for a pair of tight pants and a tight, long-sleeved shirt. If the shirt has buttons, make sure it is fully buttoned. This allows you to protect your skin from possible adverse reactions caused by contact with the vapors of the epoxy resin.
Step 3. Wet the surface with acetone
If the resin coats a wooden surface, then wet it with acetone and let it sit for at least an hour before softening it with heat. Depending on the size of what you need to clean, you can either immerse the object in a bowl filled with acetone or sprinkle the liquid on the surface. Remember that this thinner only penetrates into wood.
On the other hand, when the resin covers materials such as plastic, marble, concrete, vinyl or metal, know that the chemicals will react with the surface coating, but will not penetrate the underlying layers as they do with wood
Step 4. Apply heat with a heat gun for several minutes
Your goal is to bring the temperature of the resin above 93 ° C, its melting point. Move the gun constantly and don't leave it on the same spot for a full minute. If the epoxy resin coats a wooden or plastic object, check that the high temperatures do not damage or burn the underlying layer.
- As an alternative to the heat gun you can use a soldering iron. When the tool has warmed up properly, you can apply it to the specific area where the resin layer binds to the underlying surface to soften it.
- If the resin you want to heat is on an object rather than the floor covering, you can place it on an electric heating plate. It will have the same effect as the heat gun and is available in almost every home.
Step 5. Heat one small surface at a time
You don't have to heat all the resin at once, as you won't be able to maintain the right temperature long enough to completely scrape it off. Instead, work on small 5-8 cm segments. When you've cleared the first section, move on to the next adjacent one. Now that you have opened "a gap" it will be easier to get rid of the rest of the resin.
Step 6. Scrape the hot epoxy
Take a putty knife, razor, or other sharp object to peel the resin layer off the surface. You may find that the heat has not reached the deep layers of the liner. In this case, heat it again and scrape until the resin is completely removed.
Do not apply heat to a freshly heated area. Wait a few minutes for the resin to cool before re-treating it, otherwise you could start a fire
Method 2 of 3: with the cold
Step 1. Put on a face mask and gloves
You must use a mask that adheres well to the face and does not let any air in. Also get a large pair of rubber gloves that reach 5-8 cm above the wrist. All these precautions are for your safety, as the refrigerant product must not come into contact with the skin or eyes. This is a dangerous chemical that could cause you serious harm.
You should also use a simple cloth mask so as not to inhale the refrigerant vapors
Step 2. Open the doors and windows
Let the air enter the room freely, thus releasing the dangerous fumes. If you do not ventilate the room, vapors will accumulate and the environment will become toxic. Because of these noxious air currents you should temporarily confine children and animals in a safe room with the door closed, so that they do not breathe these products.
Step 3. Shake the can of refrigerant
In the store you can find many brands of this product. When buying a can, you need to shake it before using it, just like you would any spray. Then you have to hold the nozzle 30 cm from the surface coated with the resin and spray only with the can in vertical position, otherwise the liquid will drain from the nozzle.
Step 4. Spray coolant onto the epoxy
The product suddenly lowers the temperature of everything it comes into contact with. The resin freezes and becomes brittle. Do not put your hands near or in the space on which you spray; make sure you are wearing protective gloves and goggles before starting work. Make sure that children and pets do not have access to the work area.
Step 5. Break the brittle resin
Take a putty knife or hit the coating with a rubber mallet. The resin should be so cold that it crystallizes and then it should crack effortlessly. You should store the fragments in a dustpan and then immediately throw them in the garbage can. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to make sure you get rid of all the microscopic crystals.
Be careful not to damage the underlying surface with too violent blows. If the resin doesn't break easily, add more spray coolant
Method 3 of 3: with Chemicals
Step 1. Put on gloves and a face mask
Chemicals are very dangerous for the skin and eyes. You need to buy a mask that fits snugly to your face, without any holes to allow air to pass through. You should also buy a pair of thick rubber gloves that cover your wrists at least 8 cm.
Step 2. Open doors and windows
This precaution is vital to ensure air exchange and allow dangerous vapors to escape from the house. If the windows and doors were left closed, you would breathe in toxic fumes.
Step 3. Choose a product to soften the epoxy
An important factor that you need to take into consideration is that it is safe for the surface underneath the resin layer. Plastic, vinyl and fabric can be damaged by contact with aggressive chemicals and these are able to corrode the material before they can even soften the resin.
- Avoid Class 3 and Class 4 oxidizing agents because they cause spontaneous combustion or can catch fire while transporting them.
- Try a paint thinner. Acetone is the most common product and is able to soften hardened epoxy resin; leave the object to soak for at least an hour.
- Buy a specific product to eliminate the resin. You can find it in paint factories and DIY stores.
Step 4. Apply the chemical
You can spread it over the surface or apply it to a cloth with which you will then dab the epoxy coating. Regardless of the method, be sure to use enough liquid and let it sit for at least an hour before proceeding.
- Work on small areas of 5-8 cm in length. If the work area is too large, the chemical will not be efficient.
- Make sure pets and children aren't around when you use chemicals.
Step 5. Prepare a cleaning solution
When the chemical has worked for an hour, you need to neutralize it before moving on to scraping the surface. Take a medium-sized bucket and mix 2-3 tablespoons of sodium phosphate with 4 liters of warm water. You can pour the solution over the chemical or dab it with a sponge. Wait for the cleaner to neutralize the chemical for at least 5 minutes.
Step 6. Scrape the epoxy off the surface
You can use a putty knife, razor, or other sharp object. You need to put the freshly peeled resin on kitchen paper and immediately throw it in the trash. Your goal is to avoid contact and proximity to chemicals. If some resin sticks to the surface, wet it again with the product to soften it and wait more than an hour before resuming work.
At the end of the operations, wash the surface with a rag dipped in warm soapy water. You must not leave any chemicals around, especially if there are children and animals in the family
Advice
- Repeat each specific procedure two or three times. In some cases the first application can only remove the surface layer of resin. Keep trying until all the resin is removed.
- Work in small sections at a time. Don't try to clean up the entire area at once, but work on segments of 5-8cm at a time.
- Ask the clerk of the paint shop or hardware store for some advice. Sometimes there are home remedies that work just as well as chemicals. These professionals will be able to suggest the best solution on the market to eliminate the epoxy resin.
Warnings
- Make sure the mask and protective gloves are effective. Vapors from chemicals must not come into contact with skin or eyes.
- Let the air circulate freely throughout the house. You must avoid the formation of "pockets" of dangerous gases.
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance while applying chemicals to the epoxy.
