grip putty removal

stuckinthe60s · November 13, 2020, 08:59 AM

any secret to removing putty or epoxy from a set of match pistol grips that were fitted to a previous owner?

dahermit · November 13, 2020, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuckinthe60s

any secret to removing putty or epoxy from a set of match pistol grips that were fitted to a previous owner?

Not enough information. "Putty" is ambiguous (can refer to a host of different things).

It would also help if you explained why you want to remove it.

Pictures would help also.

stuckinthe60s · November 13, 2020, 11:52 AM

uhhh....I bought guns where the previous owner used modeling clay (as do thousands of bullseye shooters) to custom fit their grip hand that wraps around the right and left wood grips, in order to remove gaps and voids that can effect movement of the gun during squeeze off.
one has clay and one has epoxy.
if I had pics, don't you think I would have posted them?
anyone else familiar with my issue out there who has done this, who doesn't need pics? lmk. thanks.

Jim Watson · November 13, 2020, 01:17 PM

If epoxy, I think you would have to treat it as part of the grips and adjust with file and sandpaper.
I don't know about clay or putty, they MIGHT chip off if you whacked the buildup.

T. O'Heir · November 13, 2020, 01:40 PM

"...putty or epoxy..." It can be epoxy putty too. That's what JB Weld is. Exactly what it is seems to matter. Oddly enough.
Either way, Bob Vila(yes the guy with the old house. snicker.) says vinegar or acetone(nail polish remover) and some other less than harsh chemicals will do it. The how-to for wood and metal is about half way down.
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-epoxy/

stuckinthe60s · November 13, 2020, 04:40 PM

worth a try.
a fellow on another website said that low heat may soften it and it may be picked apart.
im open to anything.

dahermit · November 13, 2020, 05:44 PM

Deleted.

Mike38 · November 14, 2020, 12:06 PM

If your time and trouble is worth anything at all, a new set of grips my be in order. If not, a wood rasp then sandpaper is the only thing I know of. I understand why it's there, but when I'm buying a used target pistol, and someone has hacked away at the original grips, or added putty to the original grips, I instantly deduct $300 from the fair value of the pistol. Chances are real good, I'll have to buy new grips anyhow.

T. O'Heir · November 14, 2020, 01:33 PM

Low heat will loosen epoxy, but you may be too old to wait for that to happen. Mind you, Mr. Vila doesn't say how long vinegar takes either. snicker.
My first thought was change the grips too. (Also assumes you can get at the screws.) And a gallon of vinegar is a couple bucks. The Herrett's I have on my Smith 41 run a bit over $100 last time I looked($20Cdn at a gun show when I bought 'em.). And the Covid Panic means we all need something to do.

stuckinthe60s · November 14, 2020, 05:41 PM

great idea! ok, instead, everyone find me 2 sets of match grips to 1970 french unique des69 22LR's im all ears.
its sorta the reason why im trying to save these.

November 13, 2020, 08:59 AM	#1
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	grip putty removal any secret to removing putty or epoxy from a set of match pistol grips that were fitted to a previous owner? __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

November 13, 2020, 11:52 AM	#3
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	uhhh....I bought guns where the previous owner used modeling clay (as do thousands of bullseye shooters) to custom fit their grip hand that wraps around the right and left wood grips, in order to remove gaps and voids that can effect movement of the gun during squeeze off. one has clay and one has epoxy. if I had pics, don't you think I would have posted them? anyone else familiar with my issue out there who has done this, who doesn't need pics? lmk. thanks. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

November 13, 2020, 01:40 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...putty or epoxy..." It can be epoxy putty too. That's what JB Weld is. Exactly what it is seems to matter. Oddly enough. Either way, Bob Vila(yes the guy with the old house. snicker.) says vinegar or acetone(nail polish remover) and some other less than harsh chemicals will do it. The how-to for wood and metal is about half way down. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-epoxy/ __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 13, 2020, 04:40 PM	#6
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	worth a try. a fellow on another website said that low heat may soften it and it may be picked apart. im open to anything. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

November 13, 2020, 05:44 PM	#7
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Deleted. Last edited by dahermit; November 13, 2020 at 06:17 PM.

November 13, 2020, 01:17 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	If epoxy, I think you would have to treat it as part of the grips and adjust with file and sandpaper. I don't know about clay or putty, they MIGHT chip off if you whacked the buildup.

November 14, 2020, 12:06 PM	#8
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	If your time and trouble is worth anything at all, a new set of grips my be in order. If not, a wood rasp then sandpaper is the only thing I know of. I understand why it's there, but when I'm buying a used target pistol, and someone has hacked away at the original grips, or added putty to the original grips, I instantly deduct $300 from the fair value of the pistol. Chances are real good, I'll have to buy new grips anyhow.

November 14, 2020, 01:33 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Low heat will loosen epoxy, but you may be too old to wait for that to happen. Mind you, Mr. Vila doesn't say how long vinegar takes either. snicker. My first thought was change the grips too. (Also assumes you can get at the screws.) And a gallon of vinegar is a couple bucks. The Herrett's I have on my Smith 41 run a bit over $100 last time I looked($20Cdn at a gun show when I bought 'em.). And the Covid Panic means we all need something to do. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 14, 2020, 05:41 PM	#10
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 877	great idea! ok, instead, everyone find me 2 sets of match grips to 1970 french unique des69 22LR's im all ears. its sorta the reason why im trying to save these. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner