Removing potting epoxy

[superUnknown]

Is there an easy way to remove thick potting compound? Die grinder? Acetone bath? Anybody have some success with removing 1-2cm of epoxy over an enclosed board?

[Andrea :)]

I think this will give you some idea

[SeanB]

Depends on the compound. Some will dissolve with acetone, others need a soak in hot chlorinated solvent and an ultrasonic bath to even begin to remove then. Some laugh at almost anything short of a grinder.

Google for epoxy remover as to the witches brew you need to dissolve the most common ones. Pur MEK works well for a lot, including the circuit boards as well.

[Kappes Buur]

I used to use a hammer and small chisel to get the bulk of potting compound off boards, and then picked at it and finally rinsed it in trichloroethylene. But that stuff is now restricted.

While I use Goof Off nowadays for removing flux from a newly soldered board, it appears to be usable also on tar like substances.
http://www.goofoffproducts.com/http://goofoff.barradmin.com/product/pro-strength-remover

[hagster]

You can try 100% DEET to dissolve it. Works on some epoxys.

[robrenz]

@ Kappes Buur about Goof Off

You can save yourself a lot of money and get a can of Xylene which is the only ingredient in plain Goof Off.  Some versions have a percentage of Toluene added and the Some versions have Toluene and Acetone added to the Xylene. In the US you can get quart cans of each of those at the local Hardware/Paint store very inexpensively compared to the price of Goof Off and mix your own.  Straight Xylene does a good job on silicone potting compounds. I does not completely dissolve it but it makes it break up like softened Jello and is relatively easily dislodged from the components by gentle prodding with toothpick.

[SeanB]

I looked at the stuff used as a sequence to strip and was a little worried looking at the ingredients used in the various washes. Stopped thinking when I saw Picric acid as one step. That is guaranteed to remove epoxy, very likely in very small pieces if it has any contact with heavy metals like lead as well, and it can make compounds that react badly when exposed to stimuli like shock, light or even vibration. The MDS is very droll when it says it is a sensitive chemical.

[superUnknown]

Right-o, off to the paint store for witches brew: methyl-ethyl-ketone, toluene, acetone, xylene, fish tranquilizer.
Already got some Amway D-15 - 75% deet; it'll take the lacquer right off your guitar!

I might even splurge on some new respirator cartridges.  Wish me luck!

[SeanB]

Get activated charcoal canisters or better yet use a SCUBA set. Lungs are a little difficult to buy off the shelf at your hardware store.

[robrenz]

Right-o, off to the paint store for witches brew: methyl-ethyl-ketone, toluene, acetone, xylene, fish tranquilizer.
Already got some Amway D-15 - 75% deet; it'll take the lacquer right off your guitar!

I might even splurge on some new respirator cartridges.  Wish me luck!

My post was in response to Goof Off itself, IMO I don't think any of those is going to do squat on a high quality epoxy. If it does anything its going to be so slow it will take forever.

[Paul Moir]

Some potting compounds will soften up a lot with heat.   Heat gun & butane torch & pick sort of work.  It takes a long time but there's little by the way of nasty chemicals.