Remove silicone sealant from base of toilet

[Letterkenny]

Any tips to remove the silicon from the base of the toilet? Bought a new head and have been scraping with a plastic paint scraper and can’t get this stuff off. Any solvent recommendations?

[pesarsten]

How about a razor blade?

[garyfdl]

I don't think there is a 'magic bullet'. WD-40, and/or alcohol, scraping, heat, scraping, scraping, maybe a commercial silicone remover, more scraping?

[C420sailor]

Acetone, but you still need to mechanically remove as much as possible.

And make sure acetone won’t attack whatever the silicone is bonded to.

[Letterkenny]

I was trying to avoid metal but I think that’s the only thing that will work. That plastic scraper died on me

[goboatingnow]

MEK will shift it , but it’s hard on the underlying material.

[sailortype]

if it is in fact silicone, a razor blade to remove what you can... you can get most of it and it will not hurt the toilet at all if kept flat. Then mineral spirits works well to clean up the rest... wipe it and let it sit for a while to soften. Done it many times... very easy and straightforward.
That is IF it is silicone.

[LittleWing77]

Geez, Letterkenny, isn't this a new Jenneau that you just got in July? And you're already replacing a head?

What gives? (or am I a dufus, mixing you up with another Forum Member...?)

Good luck with that bloody silicone!
LittleWing77

[Stewie12]

Unibond make a silicone sealant remover w ww.unibond.co.uk

[DLincoln3]

I have used Debond Marine Formula to remove silicone. It works pretty well!

[sailormed]

Originally Posted by DLincoln3

I have used Debond Marine Formula to remove silicone. It works pretty well!

+1 for Debond, soak, wait, resoak, wait, remove......

[SV__Grace]

I haven't found any product that removes silicone without needing mechanical removal (scraping with sharp razor blade).


It seems take forever but just be patient, take your time, go slow, and use Acetone or similar to help clean the surface of the small bits as you go.



Use your finger to feel for remaining silicone as it can look clean and removed but it's amazing how many passes with the razor blade are needed to remove it entirely- it's really stubborn stuff.



Adding use of a scotch brite pad helps as long as you don't mind scratches, which is not a problem when re-bedding a hatch, port or window.



This is one reason why it is a common recommendation to never use silicone on a boat.

[Billnpr]

A small straight razor scraper held at a low angle then acrtone or lacquer thinner. Make sure that you wipe often to prevent absorpson.

[stevenhigbee]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

Any tips to remove the silicon from the base of the toilet? Bought a new head and have been scraping with a plastic paint scraper and can’t get this stuff off. Any solvent recommendations?

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

[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!