Does anyone know of a method to remove epoxy from the deck? Had an oops mounting an autopilot bracket. Thanks
Removing Epoxy
- Thread starter fredsb
- Start date
- Status
OOPS is right
When it was stil not completly cured, you could have removed it with acetone, but once it is cured I am affraid sanding is the only option...unless you can try to lift it up with a very sharp knife. If you deck was waxed, than there is a good chance that the epoxy didn't really stick to it . Hope this helps
When it was stil not completly cured, you could have removed it with acetone, but once it is cured I am affraid sanding is the only option...unless you can try to lift it up with a very sharp knife. If you deck was waxed, than there is a good chance that the epoxy didn't really stick to it . Hope this helps
Second -- the razor scraper .....
Try to 'slice' it off with a thick but sharpened industrial grade razor blade (like the kind you use in retractable rubber tile cutting knives) so you dont pull the weaker gelcoat loose. Then use the blade as a scraper and very gently scrape the remainder. To remove the scratches - sand with 1000 grit then 2000* grit wet and dry paper, then Power-buff with ultra-fine grit, etc.
Try to 'slice' it off with a thick but sharpened industrial grade razor blade (like the kind you use in retractable rubber tile cutting knives) so you dont pull the weaker gelcoat loose. Then use the blade as a scraper and very gently scrape the remainder. To remove the scratches - sand with 1000 grit then 2000* grit wet and dry paper, then Power-buff with ultra-fine grit, etc.
Pick at it first
Fred, before you do the drastic stuff like sanding just take some pointy thing like the tip of a scraper and pick at it to see just how firmly it's attached. My experience with epoxy on deck gelcoat is that it usually isn't attached so firmly and you can successfully pick it off with some patience. Spraying it with any kind of slippery vinyl cleaner or West Marine citrus-based adhesive remover gets under the edge and weakens it even more. And for a wide area those pot-scrubber sponges from the supermarket will let you scrub without damaging the area around it (kind of like a low-friction sanding).
Fred, before you do the drastic stuff like sanding just take some pointy thing like the tip of a scraper and pick at it to see just how firmly it's attached. My experience with epoxy on deck gelcoat is that it usually isn't attached so firmly and you can successfully pick it off with some patience. Spraying it with any kind of slippery vinyl cleaner or West Marine citrus-based adhesive remover gets under the edge and weakens it even more. And for a wide area those pot-scrubber sponges from the supermarket will let you scrub without damaging the area around it (kind of like a low-friction sanding).
- Status