How to remove epoxy from glass: No fuss, no scratches

Epoxy consists of a resin and hardener; once it has set, it becomes extremely hard and rigid. Most epoxies will bond tightly to many surfaces, including glass. 

With that in mind, you can see why you won’t want to just start scraping if you need to remove epoxy from glass. Instead, you should first take steps to soften the epoxy for easier removal, which we’ll detail below.

Also, use a new razor blade or scraper or at least ensure there are no burrs or flaws on the blade’s edge. If you were to magnify a used razor’s edge, you would likely find flaws or dents and a somewhat jagged edge. Some of the fractured metal will bend down and can scratch if used on glass.  

So use a new blade or buff the edge of your putty knife before using it on glass.

As mentioned, you will want to soften the epoxy before removing it from glass. There are two easy ways to do so: with a solvent or with heat.

Let’s look at the solvent method first. You will need the following items:

• paper towels or cloth for the solvent
• acetone (nail polish remover)
• razor blade or scraper with sharp, clean edge
• glass cleaner and soft, clean cloth

Once ready, follow these steps:

1. Wear safety gloves and work in a ventilated area.
2. Soak a paper towel or cloth in acetone.
3. Place the towel on the epoxy you want to remove. It needs to soak for 15 minutes or more to soften up.
4. Remove the paper towel and gently use a razor to scrape away at the glue. Avoid pressing down with the razor or twisting it to one side, as this could cause scratching. Lay the razor very flat to the surface of the glass and work with gentle pressure.
5. Once the epoxy is gone, use glass cleaner or a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water to clean the glass. A clean, soft cloth will work better than a paper towel for cleaning glass.

Method number two involves heat. You’ll need a heat gun or hairdryer.

Heat the area for about one minute, then try to scrape the epoxy off the glass. You may have to repeatedly heat and scrape, removing a bit at a time. After you have removed the bulk of the epoxy, use glass cleaner and a clean cloth to get rid of any leftover residue.

Use caution not to overheat the glass. Heat guns can generate very high temperatures, so be careful not to burn yourself or heat the glass to an extremely high temperature.

Of course, removing excess epoxy from glass before it cures is the easiest option. Just use a soft cloth and some acetone to wipe it away.

If you’re reading this article, you may have a task that requires bonding to glass, such as installing a mirror or a crafting project. If so, we have a recommendation for an epoxy that will perfectly fill that need.

Loctite Epoxy Quick Set, when mixed in equal volumes, begins to form a rigid bond in just 5 minutes. It adheres well to glass, metal, ceramics, tile, and many other surfaces. It won’t shrink and is resistant to water and most common solvents. Also, it dries clear to match the surrounding materials.