REMOVING EPOXY ADHESIVES AND ELASTOMERIC JOINT SEALANT SMEARS AND
OVERRUNS FROM CONCRETE


PART 1---GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

     A.   This procedure includes guidance on removing cured and
          uncured epoxy adhesives and elastomeric joint sealant
          smears and overruns from concrete using organic solvents
          and/or mechanical methods.

     B.   Safety Precautions:  

          1.   THE ORGANIC SOLVENTS LISTED ARE POISONOUS,
               CARCINOGENIC OR FLAMMABLE.  GOOD VENTILATION MUST
               BE PROVIDED WHEREVER ANY SOLVENT IS USED.  USE
               RESPIRATORS WITH SOLVENT FILTERS.

          2.   Provide adequate clothing and protective gear for
               workers.  Respirators with solvent filters shall be
               used when using chemicals.

          3.   Provide adequate ventilation.

          4.   Before starting the job, provide adequate emergency
               wash solutions (i.e. water, soap and towels) at
               close proximity to job site.

     C.   See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be
          reviewed along with this procedure.  These guidelines
          cover the following sections:

          1.   Safety Precautions

          2.   Historic Structures Precautions

          3.   Submittals

          4.   Quality Assurance

          5.   Delivery, Storage and Handling

          6.   Project/Site Conditions

          7.   Sequencing and Scheduling

          8.   General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

          These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing
          this procedure and should be followed, when applicable,
          along with recommendations from the Regional Historic
          Preservation Officer (RHPO).


PART 2---PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

     A.   Diedrich Technologies, Inc.
          7373 South 6th Street
          Oak Creek (Milwaukee), WI  53154
          800/323-3565 or 414/764-0058

     B.   ProSoCo, Inc.
          755 Minnesota Avenue
          P.O. Box 1578
          Kansas City,  KS  66117
          800/255-4255 or 913/281-2700

2.02 MATERIALS

     NOTE:  Chemical products are sometimes sold under a common
     name.  This usually means that the substance is not as pure as
     the same chemical sold under its chemical name.  The grade of
     purity of common name substances, however, is usually adequate
     for stain removal work, and these products should be purchased
     when available, as they tend to be less expensive.  Common
     names are indicated below by an asterisk (*).

     A.   Organic solvent:

          1.   Toluene (C7H8):

               a.   A liquid, aromatic hydrocarbon that resembles
                    benzene but is less volatile, flammable and
                    toxic.  It is produced commercially from light
                    oils from coke-oven gas and coal tar and from
                    petroleum.

               b.   Other chemical or common names:  Toluol.

               c.   Potential hazards:  TOXIC AND FLAMMABLE.

               d.   Available from chemical supply house, hardware
                    store, paint store or printer's supply
                    distributor.

          2.   Xylene (C8H10):

               a.   Any of three toxic, flammable, oily, isomeric,
                    aromatic hydrocarbons that are di-methyl
                    homologues of benzene and are obtained from
                    wood tar, coal tar, or petroleum distillates. 
                    Also a mixture of xylene and ethyl-benzene
                    used chiefly as a solvent.

               b.   Other chemical or common names:  Xylol; P-xylene; 1,4-dimethyl benzene.

               c.   Potential hazards:  TOXIC AND FLAMMABLE

               d.   Available from chemical supply house, hardware
                    store, paint store or printer's supply
                    distributor.

     B.   Scouring powder

     C.   Commercial stripper such as "Sure Klean 859 Stripper"
          (ProSoCo, Inc.), "Diedrich 505 Special Coatings Stripper"
          or "Diedrich 505X Dry Strip" (Diedrich Technologies,
          Inc.), or approved equal.

     D.   Clean, soft rags

     E.   Clean, potable water

2.03 EQUIPMENT

     A.   Stiff scrapers

     B.   Stiff, natural or nylon bristle brushes (no wire) and/or
          rollers


PART 3---EXECUTION

3.01 PREPARATION

     A.   Protection:  Protect surrounding surfaces from run-off of
          chemicals and water solutions.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

     A.   For Uncured Epoxy or Joint Sealant Smears:

          1.   Swab excess epoxy or joint sealant with solvent
               such as toluene or xylene, or as recommended by
               manufacturer of material.

               NOTE:  MINERAL SPIRITS, DENATURED ALCOHOL AND
               ACETONE ARE GENERALLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO REMOVE
               EXCESS.

          2.   Rinse area thoroughly with clean, clear water to
               remove all traces of chemical.

          3.   If necessary, scrub area with scouring powder using
               a nylon or natural stiff bristle brush.  

          4.   Rinse area thoroughly with clean, clear water, and
               allow to dry.

          5.   Repeat the process to achieve the desired level of
               cleanliness.

     B.   For Cured Epoxy or Joint Sealant Smears:

          1.   Scrape thickest areas of cured joint sealant with
               stiff scrapers.  

               NOTE:  SCRAPERS MAY NOT REMOVE EPOXIES.

          2.   Remove remaining sealant and/or epoxy using a
               commercial stripper.  Follow manufacturer's
               instructions for application and safety.

          3.   If asphaltic joint sealants have been used see
               procedure 03710-05-R, "Removing Asphalt Stains from
               Concrete".

                          END OF SECTION