How to Remove an Epoxy Coat From Sheet Metal

Epoxy is a durable coating that when applied to sheet metal creates a permanent barrier that protects the surface of the metal from corrosion and chemical penetration. To weld on a piece of epoxy coated sheet metal, you need to remove the epoxy coating from the weld area. Failing to remove the epoxy coating from the sheet metal will make the weld bead porous--if you can get the weld to arc through the thick epoxy coating.

Instructions

1

Attach the 60-grit flapper wheel to the 4-inch angle grinder. You need to use a flapper wheel to remove the epoxy coating from the surface of the sheet metal, as a flapper wheel wears down as it grinds. This eliminates the flapper wheel from clogging with epoxy. A standard grinding disc will clog quickly with the epoxy, causing the grinding disc to heat up the sheet metal rather than remove the epoxy coating.

2

Don your safety glasses, leather work gloves and face shield.

3

Lower your face shield, pull the trigger of the 4-inch grinder and lower the spinning 60-grit flapper wheel to the surface of the epoxy coated sheet metal.

4

Remove the 60-grit flapper wheel from the 4-inch angle grinder and attach the 4-inch diameter wire wheel to the 4-inch angle grinder.

5

Run the spinning wire wheel over the area of the sheet metal you removed the epoxy coating with the 60-grit flapper wheel. This will remove and final clean the surface of the sheet metal.