The best type of respirator cartridge will depend on what your epoxy is made of. Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for your product to find out what type of respirator cartridge and other protective equipment you need. Make sure your goggles completely cover your eyes and sit flush against your skin, with no openings to let in air. Alternatively, you can use a PPE respirator mask with a built-in eye shield. [3] X Research source Always test the mask for proper seal and fit. If you’re having trouble getting a good seal, you may need to trim any facial hair or get a better-fitting mask. If you smell any strong chemical odors while wearing your respirator, the respirator may not be working correctly or it may be time to replace the cartridge. Leave the area immediately so that you can inspect your respirator and make any necessary adjustments.
When dealing with epoxy on plastic, marble, cement, vinyl, or metal, any chemical will interact with the top of the surface, but they will not penetrate down into the layers like they do with wood.
As an alternative to using a heat gun, you can use a soldering iron. After the iron is heated, apply it directly to a specific area of the epoxy bond line. This will soften the epoxy. If the epoxy you are seeking to heat is located on an object rather than the floor tiling, you can place the object on a hot plate. This will accomplish the same thing as the heat gun, and is more frequently available.
Do not heat an area again right after you have already heated it. Wait a few minutes for the epoxy to cool off before you go back and reheat. Otherwise, you could cause the area to catch on fire. Do not use scrapers made of metal because they can easily cause damage to the surface you’re working on.
Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for your refrigerant and the epoxy. These sheets will provide instructions on how to safety handle the materials and what kinds of protective equipment you need, including respirator cartridges. Consult a respirator guide, such as the 3M Cartridge and Filter Guide, to determine the correct color code for the type of respirator you need. [9] X Research source Always research whether the refrigerant you plant to use is legal in your area. Some refrigerants are illegal to release due to environmental concerns!
Make sure to turn your air conditioning or heating unit off so that it doesn’t pull the vapors in.
Be careful not to damage your surface by putting too much pressure on the epoxy. If it doesn’t break apart easily, try adding more spray cooler to chill the resin even more.
Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for your chemical solvents and epoxy so that you know what type of respirator cartridges you need.
Make sure to turn your air conditioning or heating unit off so that the fresh air doesn’t pull the vapors in.
Stay away from Class 3 and 4 oxidizers. These agents can cause spontaneous combustion or catch on fire down the road. Try a paint thinner. The acetone in most paint thinners can soften up hardened epoxy, but be prepared to let the epoxy and the object to which it is stuck soak for at least an hour. Use a commercial stripping agent. These are available at most hardware stores. [14] X Research source
Work in small steps, 2–3 inches (5. 1–7. 6 cm) at a time. If the area is too wide, the chemical agent will likely not work as effectively. Make sure that children and pets are not around when you are applying the chemical agent.
When you have scraped the epoxy off, wash the area down with a rag soaked in warm water and soap. You do not want the chemicals to linger around, especially with children and pets in the house.
