Contents:
- Why the epoxy resin is difficult to clean
- Surface heating
- Freezing contamination
- Using solvents
- Removing epoxy from the skin of a person
- Removing stains from clothing
Repairing or making decorative items can contaminate furniture, clothing or hands with persistent chemical compounds. Before dissolving the epoxy resin with caustic liquids, you should try more gentle methods. These include freezing and heating of contaminated surfaces. Before you clean the stain, you need to protect yourself, family members and pets from poisonous fumes.
Why epoxy resin is difficult to clean
Unlike soft polyethylene, the chemical structure of epoxy resin is a short polymer chain, giving it special strength. The compound is not used in its pure form, but serves as the basis for making the glue. For this, the base material is mixed with various solvents and solidifies during the polymerization reaction. It is very difficult to get rid of the epoxy that has fallen on the skin of a person.
In addition to a dubious aesthetic component, the chemical compound can cause harm to health:
- provoke allergic reactions: urticaria, atopic dermatitis;
- cause burns of mucous membranes and skin;
- is the cause of intoxication of the body.
Advice
Before cleaning the surface, it is necessary to protect yourself as much as possible. Excellent prevention of possible damage to the skin will be the use of gloves and dense clothing with long sleeves.
If the epoxy resin is mixed with a solvent, plastic materials with different physical properties can be obtained. They can be soft, easily deformable, and hard, strong as metal. On this basis, before you clean anything from epoxy stains, you should choose the right way. Of great importance is the area of pollution and the compactness of soiled wooden or plastic ones. Certain difficulties in removing tar consist in its resistance to the action of alkalis, acids and esters.
Surface heating
Epoxy resin is used as a gel, and after its connection with the solvent takes a solid form, which firmly holds the surface. An effective way to remove stains from glue is to return the chemical compound to the previous aggregate state. To do this, heat the contaminated area with a jet of hot air. So you can clean the tile or kitchen furniture.
Advice
Before treating the wooden surface, it is necessary to moisten the area to be cleansed with acetone. This method allows to avoid cracking of wood under the influence of high temperature.
Usually, for softening epoxy glue, a hair dryer is used, adjusted to the maximum temperature regime.
So, how to clean the heat-resistant surface from epoxy stains?
- A stream of hot air for 3-5 minutes should be sent to the dried epoxy resin. It is necessary to control the heating process in order not to damage the surface being treated, to avoid its melting.
- After dissolving the chemical compound, it can be gently removed with a spatula or knife.
All frozen resin from the first time will not be removed. It is necessary to gradually remove the stain layers, evenly heating the entire surface of the contamination.
Freezing contamination
Before cleaning the surface of the epoxy resin in this way, wear protective goggles to avoid damage to eyes with solid debris. The refrigerant in the form of an aerosol is on sale in building shops. Before buying and using, carefully read the safety instructions in the attached instructions. Children and pets should not be present indoors during the cleaning of the surface.
Board
When the refrigerant is sprayed into the environment, the tiny particles of chemical compounds are released. Before you clean the stain contaminated surface, you need to buy a gauze dressing or a respirator.
How to remove epoxy with refrigerant?
- To increase the flow of fresh air, you need to open windows and doors before starting cleaning.
- Shake the can with a freezing agent and apply a small amount of refrigerant to the desired area. If the work is done correctly, the epoxy resin will become brittle and covered with cracks.
- Now you can break the stain with a hard object or remove with a spatula. Formed fragments should be removed in a tight package.
Do not apply significant physical effort when removing frozen epoxy from metal or plastic - you can damage the surface, break its integrity. If the first attempt does not bring the desired result, the refrigerant is again sprayed onto the stain.
Use of solvents
Before dissolving the epoxy resin, you must select a connection that does not damage the surface. When processing fabrics or plastic products, do not use harsh chemicals that damage furniture or clothing. First they will spoil the surface, and only then they will begin to dissolve the epoxy resin.
But how to clean the fabric or plastic?
- Acetone.
- Thinner for varnishes.
- Thinner for paints.
The time of soaking of contaminants depends on the area of the contaminated surface. Before cleaning the desired area, you need to open the windows and doors, and if possible, the object to be carried out on the street.
Advice
Do not try to reduce the stains immediately - so you can damage the surface of plastic or wood. Before cleaning it, the solvent should be evenly moistened with soiling, and then remove the upper softened layer with a spatula.
A persistent stain can be dissolved with methylene chloride, known for its ability to break down the chemical structure of epoxy resin. But caustic substance is ranked by physicians to the class of carcinogens, so few people managed to get the reagent. Before you clean the contaminated area in this way, you must take increased security measures.
Removing epoxy from the skin of a person
When gluing surfaces, gloves are sometimes damaged and the epoxy gets on the human skin. To prevent a chemical burn, you should:
- quickly remove the gloves;
- Wash hands and rinse with any disinfectant solution;
- soak the skin with a cotton towel.
Solvents are used to remove the non-solidified epoxy resin. Than it is possible to remove stains on hands:
- acetone;
- denatured alcohol;
- alcohol;
- nail polish remover.
It is impossible to completely wet the entire surface of the hands with a solvent, because under the influence of aggressive substances it will be covered with small painful cracks. It is necessary to put a small amount on the cotton pad and wipe off the stain from the epoxy resin. After cleansing, you should rub any nourishing cream into your skin.
Removing stains from garments
Once the adhesive has got on the clothes or upholstery of upholstered furniture, it quickly absorbs and hardens. Before removing epoxy from your favorite blouse, you need to assess the extent of damage caused. Aggressive connection can completely destroy the tissue, and in this case there is no sense in cleaning. But if the stain is small, try to save the clothes.
How do I clean the surface of dirt?
- With soft solvents( ethyl alcohol, 10% ammonia solution).
- Put the clothes in a bag, put it in the freezer.
- Iron the stain with an iron through several layers of gauze.
After removing epoxy resin, clothes should be washed in a washing machine. If frost did not help, then one should not despair - you can try other ways.
Economical and efficient housewives know how to clean any surfaces from stains, even from persistent epoxy. This does not require expensive solvents and technical aids. You just have to be patient and apply a little effort to remove dirt from the surface of the tile or wood furniture. But before cleaning them, you need to remember the rules for working with toxic compounds.