Group

I masked the backside of the hatch covers with masking tape. Then sprayed a dry mold release on them. Taped them into the hull, and proceeded to layup the hatch rim. I waited until the epoxy was almost cured then pulled the covers off. They came of easy, but the tape was left behind and it seems to have become permanantly attached to the rim. This was the deciding factor in shelfing them 'til this year. So now i'm back at it and facing the stuck-sticky tape. I managed in about 2 hours to get one rim sanded, cut, and cut the finger pry-slots. It was then that I noticed there are little pieces of tape left behind - they are very tiny. I want to recoat the rim with epoxy, but i DON'T want to chance covering up the tape and then having problems later.

1. Is there a solvent i can use to disolve the tapes adhesive?
2. Is this solvent compatible with subsequent layers of epoxy (west systems)?

Comment: They don't sand very well and I don't want to scrap them out. As this can create a stress-riser in the corner where the rim meets the deck.

Thanks

Mike Sundman

P.S. It wouldn't normally be a big deal to sand these but I have four of them, because i'm building two boats.