Cleaning off epoxy? Use vinegar

[clockwork orange]

I also have large hands so I have to use latex, I can't get my hands into extra large Nitrile gloves but have no problem with up to 3 latex gloves.

[Thumbs Up]

I use industrial talc as a filler. Also works on sweaty hands.

[SpringHollow]

Just as a warning, talc can obtain asbestos. I use corn starch based products instead.

[sailorladd]

That is something I did not know, or would have ever tried, cleaning off epoxy with vinegar? Thanks for the great tip. It is good for taking the itch out of insect bites especially mosquito bites!

[Thumbs Up]

You can thicken epoxy with corn starch? Might be worth trying.

[Nineteen]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I assume you are joking.

No - acetone is sold as nail polish remover for natural nails. As you would expect they add fragrances to some brands. It is no good for the fake acrylic nails as it melts them[emoji6]

[Perfect Ride]

Originally Posted by Cyrus Safdari

I am kinda surprised by the number of folks who don't keep a jug of plain white vinegar aboard. It is great for removing epoxy (not to mention wash off jellyfish stingers), far safer than acetone and denatured alcohol and not flammable either

We use vinegar in many ways. Our number one goto cleaner for general wipe down is 2-3 parts vinegar to 1 part 409 or other de-greaser/cleaner. Warmed vinegar is also a reasonable aid to removing hard water spots on the bottom of our bridge deck on our cat prior to any re-waxing.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Nineteen

No - acetone is sold as nail polish remover for natural nails. As you would expect they add fragrances to some brands. It is no good for the fake acrylic nails as it melts them[emoji6]

Obviously. But that does NOT make it a "skin care" product, which is what you said, implying that it is good for your skin. In fact it dries out your skin.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_dermatitis


https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-...in-irritants#1

[tdunlap]

I do a lot of epoxy work. I buy West Systems in 55 gallon drums. There is hardly a day I'm not using it. I always try to keep it off me and wear gloves. Occasionally I get a bit on an arm or on my hands, but not often. In more than 25 years using it, I've never developed any reaction or allergy to it, thankfully.

I buy alcohol in 5 gallon drums and use it to clean up fin rollers, plastic buckets, and application tools. I've tried using vinegar and found it does not work for me. Perhaps it works for some, for small jobs.

Sure acetone works, but its evaporation rate is too fast for me. When I'm working with epoxy, I often have a container with alcohol that I'm dipping shop paper towels into or cleaning tools in. I keep this container covered when not using it and just top it up when I need to. Acetone evaporates quickly and does not work as well for me. More recently acetone seems easier to obtain at marine stores, as compared with alcohol, which they seem to not stock these days.

At the end of the day, try the different approaches and see what works for you. For me, it's alcohol.

Cheers

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by tdunlap

I do a lot of epoxy work. I buy West Systems in 55 gallon drums. There is hardly a day I'm not using it. I always try to keep it off me and wear gloves. Occasionally I get a bit on an arm or on my hands, but not often. In more than 25 years using it, I've never developed any reaction or allergy to it, thankfully.

I buy alcohol in 5 gallon drums and use it to clean up fin rollers, plastic buckets, and application tools. I've tried using vinegar and found it does not work for me. Perhaps it works for some, for small jobs.

Sure acetone works, but its evaporation rate is too fast for me. When I'm working with epoxy, I often have a container with alcohol that I'm dipping shop paper towels into or cleaning tools in. I keep this container covered when not using it and just top it up when I need to. Acetone evaporates quickly and does not work as well for me. More recently acetone seems easier to obtain at marine stores, as compared with alcohol, which they seem to not stock these days.

At the end of the day, try the different approaches and see what works for you. For me, it's alcohol.

Cheers

You might want to try both vinegar and alcohol. Vinegar wash first stops the reaction and makes it easier to wash the rest with alcohol.