Removing Cured Epoxy Resin - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Rtm58 · 08-26-2019, 08:08 AM

So I own a used 2014 Scion FR-S that has 75k on it now, and I've recently picked back up detailing after settling down in a new job. I've also started customizing with a couple of cosmetic and performance mods. However, I fucked up big time while installing my new spoiler.

The spoiler in question is a small lip similar to the TRD one, it's not a huge wing or anything. I didn't want to drill into the trunk, but I was worried the double sided tape wouldn't be strong enough. It's a danger to me and others on the road if it falls off while I'm driving, so I wanted it to be as strong as possible.

I'd come across a couple of people using epoxy for their spoilers. Obviously epoxy's more permanent than double sided tape, so using it on your car was pretty polarizing. However, silly old me thought that: A. I would only ever want a small lip spoiler like the one I purchased, and B. the 4400 psi of tensile strength sounded very appealing.

So I loaded up with the JBWeld epoxy, and spoiler alert (ba dum tiss): it didn't work. Now I'm stuck with a lot of dried epoxy resin on my car and my blood boils every time I see it with how stupid I am. This is my first car and I worked very hard for it, so it kills me to see it this way. I've tried using the industrial strength Goof Off for dried epoxy resin and it hasn't worked very well. Honestly, it's only made the softened glue run down the trunk and create even more of an eye sore with drip marks down the paint and the tail lights.

Any help? I'm trying to avoid a respray if possible.

RFB · 08-26-2019, 09:28 AM

No solvent exists that will soften and remove cured epoxy, even the softer low density type like JB, that wont dissolve every thing else.
You have to slowly chip away at it with a small sharp chisel, trying to slide under the epoxy
Good luck !

Tcoat · 08-26-2019, 09:55 AM

Impureclient · 08-26-2019, 10:52 AM

tobin · 08-26-2019, 11:36 AM

Your best bet and probably the cheapest option would be to find a used trunk lid in the same color and replace it.

humfrz · 08-26-2019, 11:47 AM

You might try carefully carving it off with one of these -

humfrz

Grady · 08-26-2019, 12:37 PM

Yep razor blade then fine grit sand paper, polish. Throw in a ton of patience.

Leonardo · 08-26-2019, 12:40 PM

I agree with all the suggestions. Either get a new (used) trunk lid. OR, grind it off and repaint it. There is no solvent that I know of that will take the epoxy off, but not the paint. IMO, You are better sanding it off, than using a toxic chemical stripping solvent.

korhun · 08-26-2019, 12:51 PM

I'm sure you've seen this and this. In case you didn't and may help..

08-26-2019, 09:28 AM	#2
RFB Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: FRS Location: Canada Posts: 936 Thanks: 145 Thanked 422 Times in 289 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	So sad No solvent exists that will soften and remove cured epoxy, even the softer low density type like JB, that wont dissolve every thing else. You have to slowly chip away at it with a small sharp chisel, trying to slide under the epoxy Good luck !

08-26-2019, 09:55 AM	#3
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	__________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

08-26-2019, 11:47 AM	#6
humfrz Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: 2013 FR-S, white, MT Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 29,866 Thanks: 28,787 Thanked 31,813 Times in 16,424 Posts Mentioned: 708 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	You might try carefully carving it off with one of these - humfrz Attached Images

08-26-2019, 12:40 PM	#8
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I agree with all the suggestions. Either get a new (used) trunk lid. OR, grind it off and repaint it. There is no solvent that I know of that will take the epoxy off, but not the paint. IMO, You are better sanding it off, than using a toxic chemical stripping solvent. __________________ I LIKE TIRES!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Removing Headliner?	l0aded	DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides	15	05-04-2016 01:24 PM
Toyota "T" Formed Aluminum Epoxy Steering Wheel Airbag Emblem Badge Interest List	fooddude	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	22	06-18-2014 02:47 PM
FT86 Concept Diecast and Resin	Taro	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	0	02-27-2014 08:40 PM
CEL after removing cat?	corvino26	Engine, Exhaust, Transmission	8	06-17-2013 09:15 AM
Would Resin shortage affect my order?	BlkM3Driver	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	9	04-19-2012 01:10 AM

08-26-2019, 10:52 AM	#4
Impureclient Banned Join Date: May 2015 Drives: 2015 FR-S Location: NPR, Florida Posts: 2,404 Thanks: 1,802 Thanked 2,903 Times in 1,282 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)

08-26-2019, 11:36 AM	#5
tobin Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: '13 BRZ Location: CT Posts: 485 Thanks: 314 Thanked 330 Times in 155 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Your best bet and probably the cheapest option would be to find a used trunk lid in the same color and replace it.

08-26-2019, 12:51 PM	#9
korhun Database error Join Date: Jun 2019 Drives: BRZ Location: Turkey Posts: 806 Thanks: 4,712 Thanked 1,657 Times in 614 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm sure you've seen this and this. In case you didn't and may help..

User Name		Remember Me?
Password