Summary for sublimation coating removal Discussion
Sublimation coating removal is the issue here: Bruce and Lina Larson asked whether the white sublimation coating on the back of a glass cutting board could be removed so they could abrasive-blast a surface-etched design into the glass, and whether heat, chemicals, or both would be needed. The thread excerpt does not show a full technical answer, but it does include a suggestion from Ted Mooney, P.E. to try an automotive stripper, implying a chemical approach rather than heat alone. Because the excerpt is limited, no definitive method, timing, or safety guidance is provided in the visible text. The practical takeaway is that the coating may be removable with a strong stripper, but the discussion shown does not confirm success or specify the exact product, process, or compatibility with glass.
Q. We are glass etchers, using abrasive blasting. We would like to know if it is possible to remove the white sublimation coating from the back of a glass cutting board so we can surface etch a design on the glass. Would it involve heat or chemicals or both?
Bruce & Lina Larson
botchacaloops.com – Virginia City, Nevada USA
August 14, 2020
A. Hi.
Not heat. I am not a sublimater but my understanding is that the sublimation coating is probably white automotive primer followed by a clear coat. If the cutting board is white glass, rather than clear, the coating may be automotive clear coat only. Or it might be white primer only. So it’s removed with solvents in any case.
Aircraft stripper (methylene chloride) will remove virtually any paint, but is horribly noxious, toxic stuff — so something milder should be tried. I think if you google “remove auto clear coat” or “remove auto paint” you’ll find both purpose-made solvents and rather clear instructions and videos. Good luck.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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