Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

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jiminbartow
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Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by jiminbartow » Thu May 23, 2019 6:10 pm

I have a cast metal piece that was repaired sometime in the past using a grey epoxy putty. Either Devcon or JB Weld. The person who did the repair did not line the two edges up properly and so the two edges have a gap and are the two surfaces are not flush. In order to repair it properly, I need to immerse the item in a bath of solvent long enough to dissolve the epoxy putty and allow the two pieces to separate. Does anyone know of the best solvent to use for this. Thank you. Jim Patrick

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Ruxstel24
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Ruxstel24 » Thu May 23, 2019 6:25 pm

Not sure what is going to touch that stuff.
I would think some heat would get it to release, and just scrape it off.


Erik Johnson
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Erik Johnson » Thu May 23, 2019 7:06 pm

Grind off or direct heat per JB Weld:

https://www.jbweld.com/pages/faqs

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Ed Fuller
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Ed Fuller » Thu May 23, 2019 8:37 pm

I have removed epoxy or JB weld from a part by media or sand blasting it away.

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RustyFords
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by RustyFords » Fri May 24, 2019 6:49 am

It comes off pretty fast using a wire wheel....either a stationary one or one on a little Dremel tool.
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Russ_Furstnow
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Fri May 24, 2019 1:44 pm

If you soak the part in lacquer thinner, it will soften the J-B Weld and it will come off easily.
I hope this helps, Russ Furstnow

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Kaiser
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Kaiser » Fri May 24, 2019 5:42 pm

only thing that will dissolve epoxy is acetone, be sure to ventilate !
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by George Andreasen » Fri May 24, 2019 6:08 pm

I'm not sure that acetone will dissolve JBWeld, but then again, I've never tried it. One thing I DO know is that epoxies of any type lose their strength rapidly when heated. JBWeld, when heated to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit (propane torch), will simply crumble away. Any residue is easily scraped off afterwards.

Of course, the main question is whether the base metal will take the heat without damage. I'd have no fear heating steel, brass or even aluminum to that temperature, but if your cast piece is "pot metal.......find another way.


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jiminbartow
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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by jiminbartow » Tue May 28, 2019 12:26 am

Thanks everyone. It took a long time of soaking, but acetone did the trick and softened the epoxy putty enough to scrape away in layers, allowing the acetone to work on the layer below. Jim Patrick


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Re: Best solvent for dissolving epoxy putty

Post by Nv Bob » Tue May 28, 2019 10:57 pm

Wow may is almost over looking back on this month been busy
Mounted 15 clintcher tires
Rebiult standard rear axel
Put in new gas tank
1 band job
Rebiult holley NH
Rebiult coil box
Put on new lined brakes
Sold a T
Drove the new T
Hopefuly finish up a valve job drive new T more

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