Remove silicone sealant from base of toilet

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Yes, there is a magic bullet. I was able to get 100% bond strength after using this and a soap-and-water wash: Remov DSR-5.


https://www.practical-sailor.com/boa...esive-removers

I have great luck with it on hatches and PO over-use of silicone. I too was baffled until I tried it.


Debond sort of works, but not as well. Debond is the BOMB for polyurethanes!

[jmschmidt]

The simple answer is don't use silicone anything anywhere.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by jmschmidt

The simple answer is don't use silicone anything anywhere.

And use what instead ? ( mind you I use silanes , ie modified hybrid polymers instead of low modulus silicones )

[kish]

Originally Posted by stevenhigbee

That's the kind of job that oscillating tools are genuine heroes at. They peel stuck sealants right off. Plunge-cutting is the other job you will regularly use it for on your boat. It will be second to your cordless drill as most-used power tool. I regret not buying a cordless model.
https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-li...nly-57319.html

Acetic acid [vinegar] applied will soften silicone sealant.
It is recommended on the label of many silicon tubes sold for tile gap sealant as a means of cleaning up removal.
Admittedly the label's advice is directed at a fresh application clean-up, but vinegar is cheap and several applications will surely work.

It will not do any damage to underlying surface.

WD40 is said to work also, but vinegar is cheaper,

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by kish

Acetic acid [vinegar] applied will soften silicone sealant.
It is recommended on the label of many silicon tubes sold for tile gap sealant as a means of cleaning up removal.
Admittedly the label's advice is directed at a fresh application clean-up, but vinegar is cheap and several applications will surely work.

It will not do any damage to underlying surface.

WD40 is said to work also, but vinegar is cheaper,

Both wd40 and vinegar work on uncured silicone. They are largely useless once it’s cured.

[Locquatious]

Butanol is a good solvent for some silicone monomers, but hard to find if you're not a chemist. Isopropanol works somewhat, but higher alcohols tend to do better.

[Marathon1150]

After using a razor blade to remove as much silicone as possible, or a stiff bristled brush (depending on the location), I have found the orange version of "Goo be Gone" effective. Sufficiently effective that other adhesives will bond to gel coat where the silicone was removed. Several applications are required.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Locquatious

Butanol is a good solvent for some silicone monomers, but hard to find if you're not a chemist. Isopropanol works somewhat, but higher alcohols tend to do better.

Yes I mentioned I use mek ( which is another name for butanol ) but I will not store mek/ butanol on a grp boat. Butanol is widely available ( eBay etc , chemical wholesalers and so forth )

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Marathon1150

After using a razor blade to remove as much silicone as possible, or a stiff bristled brush (depending on the location), I have found the orange version of "Goo be Gone" effective. Sufficiently effective that other adhesives will bond to gel coat where the silicone was removed. Several applications are required.

Isn’t it just “ Goo Gone “. I think the major active ingredient is limonene

[RobinScurr]

The PO of the boat I bought used clear silicone all over the place to seal chai plates, ports and hatches, around the mast, etc. What an ugly mess! I tried EVERYTHING. Vinegar (5%), acetic acid (30%), paint thinner, laquer thinner, goo gone, acetone, gasoline, and more! I think I tried a dozen different things .... There was only 1 that actually worked. Naptha ... Commonly know as lighter fluid. The stuff you put in your grand-dad's Zippo lighter. You can also buy it by the quart at a hardware store. Here's the procedure:

Use a new razor scraper to remove as much as you can. If you think the razor isn't working quite as well as it was when you started, you're right. Change the blade.

Then wipe the silicone with naptha. You'll find the silicone will swell and soften almost instantly. Then use a sharp razor to remove the somewhat gummy silicone.

Third, use a "green pad" and naptha to remove the very last film left .... Done. No more silicone.

Wear gloves, BTW. No open flames while doing this either.