Removing bedding epoxy from mount

tpcollins · August 11, 2021, 03:19 PM

I used some PC-7 epoxy (I think it’s an automotive epoxy similar to JB Weld) to bed a DNZ Grim Reaper one piece mount to my rifle. I also slipped a piece of .015”brass shim at the rear edge so I could get the maximum out of the Leupold CDS.

Other than scrape the heck out of the bottom with a knife, is there a chemical that would soften it easier for removal? I was hoping acetone might help? Thanks.

jpx2rk · August 11, 2021, 03:50 PM

Per google:

Use Denatured Alcohol, Acetone, Rubbing Alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or Lacquer Thinner to clean tools and mixing surface before PC-7® cures. Clean hands and skin with soap and water. Cured epoxy can be removed by applying Paint Remover or Paint Stripper to soften the epoxy surface.

tpcollins · August 11, 2021, 04:41 PM

Thanks.

HiBC · August 11, 2021, 10:15 PM

I once used an aircraft grade paint stripper to remove Accra Glas from a walnut forend.
Remember some aircraft paints are epoxy.

It worked.

eflyguy · August 11, 2021, 11:16 PM

Solvents may help but also may cause damage to the stock and certainly its finish.

Note I specifically used "may" vs. "will". It depends. May work just fine.

For removing cured epoxy, I use a dremel-style rotary tool and cheap flap-wheel attachments. Outdoors, so the dust is blown away.

Clemson · August 12, 2021, 10:12 AM

Remove the rifle from the stock. Use a heat gun to soften the epoxy. should be able to peel it off the surface with a scraper.

Scorch · August 12, 2021, 03:40 PM

Best thing to use is heat, warm it upp to 400-ish degrees and it will flake right off. Second best is freeze the part in a sub-zero freezer. Next best is acetone, but it takes time to get it off.

**Unclenick** · August 13, 2021, 08:47 AM

Jewelry-making suppliers have (or used to) methylene chloride for getting epoxied stones out of settings. It will kill a finish, for sure, but it works. Overall, I think the heat option is better than breathing fumes and waiting for that stuff to penetrate, though.

HiBC · August 13, 2021, 09:43 AM

I think methylene chloride is the active ingredient in the paint stripper. The solvent on its own is volatile like acetone.They make it into a gel somehow to give it some staying power.

I agree its a health hazard to work with. My understanding is its very bad for the liver and may cause liver cancer.

**Unclenick** · August 13, 2021, 08:43 PM

Lots of the strippers are now methylene chloride-free, but it did used to be the principle solvent in most of them.

August 11, 2021, 03:19 PM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Removing bedding epoxy from mount I used some PC-7 epoxy (I think it’s an automotive epoxy similar to JB Weld) to bed a DNZ Grim Reaper one piece mount to my rifle. I also slipped a piece of .015”brass shim at the rear edge so I could get the maximum out of the Leupold CDS. Other than scrape the heck out of the bottom with a knife, is there a chemical that would soften it easier for removal? I was hoping acetone might help? Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

August 11, 2021, 04:41 PM	#3
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

August 12, 2021, 10:12 AM	#6
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Remove the rifle from the stock. Use a heat gun to soften the epoxy. should be able to peel it off the surface with a scraper. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

August 12, 2021, 03:40 PM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Best thing to use is heat, warm it upp to 400-ish degrees and it will flake right off. Second best is freeze the part in a sub-zero freezer. Next best is acetone, but it takes time to get it off. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 13, 2021, 08:47 AM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Jewelry-making suppliers have (or used to) methylene chloride for getting epoxied stones out of settings. It will kill a finish, for sure, but it works. Overall, I think the heat option is better than breathing fumes and waiting for that stuff to penetrate, though. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 11, 2021, 03:50 PM	#2
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 387	Per google: Use Denatured Alcohol, Acetone, Rubbing Alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or Lacquer Thinner to clean tools and mixing surface before PC-7® cures. Clean hands and skin with soap and water. Cured epoxy can be removed by applying Paint Remover or Paint Stripper to soften the epoxy surface.

August 11, 2021, 10:15 PM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I once used an aircraft grade paint stripper to remove Accra Glas from a walnut forend. Remember some aircraft paints are epoxy. It worked.

August 11, 2021, 11:16 PM	#5
eflyguy Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2021 Posts: 335	Solvents may help but also may cause damage to the stock and certainly its finish. Note I specifically used "may" vs. "will". It depends. May work just fine. For removing cured epoxy, I use a dremel-style rotary tool and cheap flap-wheel attachments. Outdoors, so the dust is blown away.

August 13, 2021, 09:43 AM	#9
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	I think methylene chloride is the active ingredient in the paint stripper. The solvent on its own is volatile like acetone.They make it into a gel somehow to give it some staying power. I agree its a health hazard to work with. My understanding is its very bad for the liver and may cause liver cancer.

August 13, 2021, 08:43 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Lots of the strippers are now methylene chloride-free, but it did used to be the principle solvent in most of them. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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