Two methods of removing zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) luting cement from amalgam were compared by determining their effect on the tensile bond strength of amalgam cylinders luted together using a 4-META resin cement. The samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. Results showed that mechanical cleansing with pumice leaves ZOE residue mixed with pumice, which inhibits bonding, while the bond strength of samples cleansed with a dental degreasing agent was similar to that of an uncontaminated control group.