What is the most effective way to remove epoxy plumbing putty?

Question

At some point in the past, I used epoxy plumbing putty to seal a joint going into the faucet on my bathtub. It's now leaking again (seeping out past the putty) and I'd like to get the putty off so that I can effect a better repair.

Any good ideas? I'm thinking I may just have to chisel it off, but I'd like to not damage the faucet in the process.

if it's actual epoxy, then you likely need to replace the faucet connection completely. — DA01, Nov 04 '11 at 15:19
It's the output from the faucet up to the showerhead. It's bolted to the back of a tub and I can't get a good pic. — Michael Kohne, Nov 04 '11 at 16:20

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 28 '12 at 18:21

Epoxy hardens and adheres by undergoing an irreversable chemical reaction. You won't be able to dissolve it off with anything. You will need to cut and grind it off with a dremel tool and/or saw.

EDIT: If you used it on a metal pipe, you may have luck burning it off with a blowtorch.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered May 28 '12 at 01:20

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The epoxy and the metal pipe should expand and contract at different rates, so if you heat it with a torch and then cool it with water a few times you may get it to loosen up.

answered May 28 '12 at 01:20

Steven Potter

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 04 '12 at 22:50

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I ended up chiseling the old epoxy off - it was crumblier than I'd have expected, so I suspect I mixed it wrong originally, and it came off pretty well because of that.

answered Nov 04 '12 at 22:50

Michael Kohne

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score 0 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 28 '12 at 18:07

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Just a guess: acetone (nail polish remover) is effective on most plastics. I'd try that first.

edited Mar 28 '12 at 18:07

Niall C.

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answered Feb 27 '12 at 17:03

Bob

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What is the most effective way to remove epoxy plumbing putty?

4 Answers4