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Help Removing Appoxy on Mirror

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:36 pm
by TraySeeLea
In November of 06 I managed to receive my first bullseye chip out of my windshield in my line of vision. I put up with it until today, when I decided to see how a repair kit would do to fill the crack. All seemed to be going well, as I decided to let my boyfriend attempt the repair....(*remembering that all of you guys recommended I let him help me and all*) Until some appoxy shot out of the patch/seal and landed on my left side mirror...I now have several spots of hazy residue on the back side of my mirror. I am not sure if black wax will help it any...or if it is a lost cause and I have to get another one....or repaint the one I have. I don't have any pictures of it as it happened a little before dark this evening.I was just wondering if and one had any suggestions for removing the appoxy without ruining the paint more.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:21 am
by nuvibe
By any chance did you whipe it rite off after it landed on your mirror? If it set up and dryed already, you mite have to take a sharp razor and carefully take it off but you mite still have to paint it. Untill we see picture's there may be a better solution to fix it. Good luck.....nuvibe

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:07 am
by TraySeeLea
Well he didn't notice it at first, then he later wiped it.....I will have to see if I can "feel it".Edit 1:23 PM= The black wax didn't work...and I cant feel it in order toscrape it off...it has just discolored the area.

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:56 am
by keithvibe
that stinks... post a photo when you can of the damage and maybe someone can give you an good idea to try out.... BTW... don't let the BF touch the car again... god only knows what he will do next.... maybe melt the battery

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:43 pm
by Sublimewind
About the only "solvents" that will remove the epoxy, will also remove the paint and most likely melt the plastic... You could possibly try having it buffed off, but that could easily lead to the same paint removal... Take it to a body or detail shop and have them look at it and see what they say...

Re: (Sublimewind)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:33 am
by Whelan
The only way to really get epoxy off is to wetsand with 1000-2000 grit paper. Then buffing out the area.You live close enough come on up for a bit one day and I'll take care of it for ya.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:19 am
by TraySeeLea
The worst thing about this whole "project" was that now two days later...I noticed the repair kit did absolutly nothing to fix my window. (It look exactly the same as it did before)...so now I have a ruined mirror for nothing.haha so mad

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:39 am
by ajflan
That sucks. Sorry to hear that.

Re: (ajflan)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:29 am
by TraySeeLea
Quote, originally posted by ajflan »That sucks. Sorry to hear that.Thanks for the sympathy and suggestions guys.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:31 am
by trayseelea'sboy
I think we should try the wet sanding and buffing idea. Either that or we can reapint it.

Re: (trayseelea'sboy)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:34 am
by TraySeeLea
yeah, but wouldnt we have to resand the whole thing? it is just a few spots

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:38 am
by trayseelea'sboy
If we wet sand and buff it would just be the affected spots, if we repaint we would have to sand the whole thing.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:47 am
by Celtic_Curse
That sucks, is it that noticable that it needs to be repainted? Won't nail polish remover eat the epoxy and so long as its wiped up fast enough not damage the paint?

Re: (Celtic_Curse)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:00 am
by TraySeeLea
hmmm idk that is some nasty stuff (nail polish remover)...i would be scared.

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:06 am
by kevera
Is the mirror painted or black plastic?If it's just the black plastic,not much will work well.If it's painted,then I would buff it out.

Re: (kevera)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:15 am
by TraySeeLea
Quote, originally posted by kevera »Is the mirror painted or black plastic?If it's just the black plastic,not much will work well.If it's painted,then I would buff it out.I don't think it is paint...it is more like plastic. I dont there will be much to do for it.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:39 am
by trayseelea'sboy
The mirror is plastic, the product used contains acid in it. It is more of a disscoloration due to the acid, rather than epoxy on the mirror. I think I will be visiting the dealer to purchase a new mirror.

Re: (trayseelea'sboy)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:40 am
by TraySeeLea
Quote, originally posted by trayseelea’sboy »The mirror is plastic, the product used contains acid in it. It is more of a disscoloration due to the acid, rather than epoxy on the mirror. I think I will be visiting the dealer to purchase a new mirror.haha the dealer...no way. it isnt that big of a deal

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:54 am
by Whelan

Re: (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:59 am
by 02csnow
also try ebay, i am always seeing the mirror on there.

Re: (02csnow)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:00 pm
by kevera
Mirrors from the dealer are like $175.I know,I broke mine backing out of my driveway.

Re: (02csnow)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:04 pm
by TraySeeLea
Quote, originally posted by 02csnow »also try ebay, i am always seeing the mirror on there.So far ebay has been the cheapest.haha I broke a mirror off my best friend's saturn once....I was 17...only accident I've really had.

Re: Help Removing Appoxy on Mirror (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:39 pm
by Whelan
Just be sure if you have a power mirror that you are getting a power mirror.

Re: Help Removing Appoxy on Mirror (Whelan)

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:43 pm
by TraySeeLea
Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Just be sure if you have a power mirror that you are getting a power mirror.yup, i have power.

Re: Help Removing Appoxy on Mirror (TraySeeLea)

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:24 am
by Tubaryan12
As a guy that just spent the last 7 years working for an adhesive company I can tell you this: there is no solvert that will safely remove an epoxy without removing the paint as well. If something like this ever happens again the advice abut letting it cure in its spot and not wiping is the safest route to take. Then pick it off when it is hard. Sanding and buffing is prob. your best course of action at this point. If it is a rubber/resin/solvent type adhesive (Goop, Liquid Nails, etc.) those you want to wipe up with mineral spirits as soon as possible (while wet) then wash and wax the spot. If you dont, the solvent in the glue might eat through the paint.Polyurethanes, epoxies and super glues you are better off letting then cure in place and then pick them off with a razor blade. Larger amounts of these adhesive can generate heat, so be carefull. Silicones will just peel off paint, so let them cure because the clean up is just easier when dry.Water based glues and caulks can be wiped off while wet then wash.