How can I remove epoxy

[Adamant]

I would like to get some advice on removing an epoxy with dynel skin on the planking of a boat. The only thing I can come up with would be to sand it off. (Please anything but that) Is there a solvent that will soften it up so it can be scraped? Will heat from a heat gun be good for the same or would it take a torch risking a beautiful bonfire and weenie roast.Any advice will help.

Thanks Don

[Frank Wentzel]

Don

Epoxies are relatively heat sensitive. Most of them start softening at about 140 degrees F. A heat gun and a scraper should be all you need. It still won't be fun, but it will be better, and cleaner, than any chemical removal method.

/// Frank ///

[westinghouse]

When I wooded the decks on Totem I bought a box of 40 grit and a box of 60. A variable speed 6" random orbit sander can be pretty comfortable when it's set at a low-mid speed. And a 6" footprint assures that you won't gouge and pit the way a 4" inevitably does. I've still got a half a box of each, but if you're ripping through dynel and epoxy you might use more (I was just blasting epoxy sealer and paint). It's not a cheap way to go, but it's a pretty fast paced and satisfying approach.

Eli

[Richard Smith]

Just yesterday I was cleaning up some slopped epoxy with a heat gun. I got too close to an area I had laminated with kevlar/epoxy and a spot popped right up. Not sure if the dynel will be a better or worse insulator, or if large areas will be a factor, but as Frank says, the epoxy does soften nicely and remove easily with heat.