Hot glue/epoxy removal advice

[alamor]

Not to sure if this is the appropriate forum to post this so if it isn't feel free to move.

I have a couple of the "cheaper" VV box mods. A couple of the 510 connecters pulled loose when I was taking my carto off. I would like to try to solder it back on but the connecting wires are buried in hot glue. I was wondering if anyone had a
simple(ish) way to remove the glue from the wires so they can be re-connected. I have tried picking it out but that doesn't seem to do much good at getting the wires exposed.

 

[Strigoi]

I've tried picking at it with no luck on a couple of mine that have died. I also found rubbing it with isopropyl alcohol works, but it is extremely slow going (I gave up on it).

 

[meli.]

Try heating the tool you're using to scape away the epoxy, heat works quite well.

 

[cskent]

I had to replace the switch on my madvapes vv boxmod. I tried picking at the glue with tweezers but gave up on it. Then I thought, hey this is probably hotmelt glue so I heated it up with a blow drier and it came out in big chunks. A few times of heating it, then picking out what what would come off got it all out to expose the switch.

 

[alamor]

I had to replace the switch on my madvapes vv boxmod. I tried picking at the glue with tweezers but gave up on it. Then I thought, hey this is probably hotmelt glue so I heated it up with a blow drier and it came out in big chunks. A few times of heating it, then picking out what what would come off got it all out to expose the switch.

That sounds like a good idea, I will give it a try thanks!!!

 

[cskent]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Dougiestyle]

Use dynamite! Shoot video. Post video. Explosives are cool!

On my car forum the standard response would be to use a BFH (Big Effin Hammer)

I jest. Why not just order a couple new connectors and install from scratch? They only cost $2

 

[martinc]

If you can freeze the hot glue,it will smash into bits (carefully)

 

[AttyPops]

Use dynamite! Shoot video. Post video. Explosives are cool!

On my car forum the standard response would be to use a BFH (Big Effin Hammer)

I jest. Why not just order a couple new connectors and install from scratch? They only cost $2

Yeah. +1

You need to solder NEW wire onto the connectors anyway... then run it to the switch. Splice it on the other side of the connection if you don't want to mess with the circuit board connection since it's probably hot glued in too. Use shrink wrap if you have any to cover the splice. Watch out that you don't short the atty connector since you have to solder the ground to the inside of the shell to get it back into the hole.

I build those vv mods from kits... no hot glue though. Recommend you get some good non-conductive epoxy. The whole kit is $18.00 new and is a fun experiment.

 

[DaveP]

I have an older box mod that is completely potted in hot melt glue. I'd have to have to repair it. One whole side of the plastic box is a huge mass of hot melt! There's room for the batteries in the other side.

 

[Caridwen]

Not to sure if this is the appropriate forum to post this so if it isn't feel free to move.

No it's not. But aren't you glad it didn't get moved? You got some great advice.

I have a box mod sitting here with the exact same problem. So glad I read this.

 

[meli.]

I have an older box mod that is completely potted in hot melt glue. I'd have to have to repair it. One whole side of the plastic box is a huge mass of hot melt! There's room for the batteries in the other side.

The Solution:

Use dynamite! Shoot video. Post video. Explosives are cool!

On my car forum the standard response would be to use a BFH (Big Effin Hammer)

I jest.

 

[alamor]

Thanks for all the GREAT advice!!! I especially like the "dynamite" idea. If I had some I guarantee I would give it a shot, and post the result here I was frustraded and posted a WTB ad in the Classies. An AWESOME ECF member sold me two complete VV boxes with the LED displays for $30 shipped and included a set of AW IMR batteries. I am set and the other box is going in the trash!! Best $30 I have ever spent!!!! Thanks KWALA