Sticky Epoxy Mess

[overrev73]

I was trying to repair a chip in the stock of my rifle using epoxy but for some reason ( I probably didn't mix it right) it never hardened and now I've got a sticky mess on my stock. Does anyone have any ideas regarding clean-up and removal of this stuff and perhaps a better type of adhesive to use? Thanks!

Bryan

 

[BadHorse]

acetone

 

[Allan Gray]

Acetone, yup!
If you have access to fingernail polish remover it'll also work...don't let the Mrs. find out :shocked2:

Curious how the epoxy didn't harden? It's really quite simple, equal parts from each tube, mixed well...was it contaminated with something or really old?

 

[LRB]

If well sealed, it is not so much the age, but some of the components will settle to the bottom of the container. Often it can be rejuvenated if you are able to re-mix the two parts separately before mixing any of it together. In many cases, it may be better to just buy a new batch.

 

[jtmattison]

acetone

Yup!

HD

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Yes, clean it out with acetone. Skip the fingernail polish if you have acetone on hand, as Lady's FP is nothing but a xx& mix of acetone. Ethanol, like the freaking Congressmen put into our fuels, is an even better solvent, but let's not go there ...

IMHO, bedding everything from benchrest rifles to standard hunting gun stock repairs, the BEST epoxy out there for gunsmith use is Pro-Bed 2000 from Score-Hi Gunsmiths. Avaialble in black or brown, it is pre-mixed with micro-balloons that do NOT compress over time and holds their shape forever. Darn good stuff!

FWIW I myself use Pam cooking spray with olive oil as a release agent. http://www.scorehi.com/

 

[renovato]

Vinegar will remove unset epoxy. I use it all the time to clean up excess before it sets. If you use it on metal parts, be sure to follow up with water to wash it off so it doesn't promote rust. A damp washcloth is what I use and I haven't had a single rust spot.

 

[LRB]

I second that. Vinegar is great before the epoxy really sets.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Good to know about the vinegar guys, never heard of it for that use, thanks for sharing.

 

[rifleshooter2]

Thanks for the Pam idea :thumbsup: , I never thought of that, I'll try it when I bed my mauser.

Andy