I just bought a used canoe with glued-in foam knee cups and vinyl patch D-rings. The previous owner used epoxy to adhere them to the composite hull. I need to removal this stuff. Any words of wisdom as to how I should proceed? I have a 55 gallon drum of elbow grease standing at the ready… Thanks! - Randall
might consider this
– Last Updated: Jun-04-07 10:39 AM EST –
I'm copying my email to you here in case it helps anyone else.
The epoxied in tie downs that I removed with the masonry tool were the plastic kind, not vinyl. I can’t say how it would work on the vinyl kind. Probably not as easily. But, I would still try it.
some pics
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2523533910043436830uAHpHz
this small custom-ground pointing trowel worked better
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2403639080043436830HwDTkK
Stavemaker mentioned a putty knife. I’ve done that with Vyna Bond installed tie downs, but not epoxied ones. So, I can’t say. But, I would still think that a small trowel would be superior to a putty knife (with epoxy) because a trowel has a point. And, you can carefully tap on it in line with the blade.
Here is the kind of trowel I would recommend, maybe you have one. This one says it’s an “archeology trowel” but it’s just a small Marshalltown like you can buy at any quality tool store. http://www.marshalltown.com/archtrwl.html
I have one that would work that I don’t mind mailing to you to use. If you want, just send me your address and I’ll send it. You can give it to me at Raystown or whenever.
It is important (to me anyway) that the trowel be broken-in. A used one would be best. A broken-in trowel does not have a blunt blade. It has a natural bevel on the bottom only (not top and bottom like a knife) that keeps it cutting away from the hull.
After I got the tie-downs quickly removed, I sanded out most of the epoxy with a Makita palm sander. I went through a fair bit of sandpaper because I only used the four corners.
Done & Done
Thanks for all the tips guys, those knee cups and d-rings are history now. I ended up using a vast array of blunt and sharp instruments – a combination of trowels, chisels and putty knives to “rough out” the removal. Next I found a very sharp shallow sweep wood-carving gouge worked well for removing most of the epoxy. I then followed up with some sandpaper. All looks passable.
Again, thanks for the assistance my friends, much appreciated. - Randall
Now…
– Last Updated: Jun-05-07 7:01 PM EST –
Now that you have it down to a science; I have two questions for you.........
1. Will you be passing through central Missouri anytime soon?
2. Would you like to stop by & visit, and while visiting, remove a pair of poorly placed "for me" foot braces, from a 1994 Old Town Penobscot 15 I bought about a couple of weeks ago.
Nah! I didn't think so........
BOB