Dear Piney:
You got a tough one! If it's the clear type epoxy, sort of amber colored, a little heat, say 200 degrees, boilin water hot, and a little acetone applied to the spot, with some patience and a lot of caution and ventilation, should not hurt the blueing. I've had it push off of metal with a wooden stick.
If it's the grey type epoxy, like JB Weld, heat will definitly soften it and it can be removed with a wooden stick (popsicle stick, sharpened) but now it's more heat, say 350 to 400 degrees. That starts to get ..interesting!
I realize this ain't no greasy car part!
Now I've used this next method, (model airplane engine got gooped up) but you're on your own if you try it! Dry ice acetone bath. Acetone, in a pyrex beaker, and drop in a couple small pieces of dry ice. NO plastic or glass containers, Pyrex only!!! Maybe a small tin can. Careful, it foams up! Just be patient, it doesn't take long for things to settle down and cool off. It will be so cold that the acetone gets thick like syrup. Apply this to the offending area till it gets cold and the epoxy may brittle up and be convinced to let go. ( sharpened stick ) If the cold acetone will not hurt the blueing, then MAYBE this will not hurt your gun. ( The model engine started up and ran fine....till it crashed! )
This stuff is so cold it does really weird and unexpected things, like burn exposed skin, and make things so brittle they shatter like glass. ( things like metal!! ) To say caution is advised is good and proper. Do this in a safe place and pretend you're a mad scientist and dress for the part, lab coat, goggles and rubber gloves. Better to look silly but be safe.
Woodbutcher
