best way to remove silicone? (1 Viewer)

[Jeremy Illingworth]

The shower stall leaks so I'm removing the old silicone but I'm having trouble around the metal edge on the bottom. I tried using a putty knife but I scratch the metal. Is there a solvent specifically for this?

jeremy

 

[Mike Knapp]

I have never had any luck with any solvent reducing dried silicone. Im afraid that the putty knife or a razor scraper is your best bet.

best way to remove silicone?

Many in Hollywood feel surgery is the best way!
Mike

 

[Jeff Ulmer]

Scraping is about the only way. You might try heating it with a hairdryer first, which should make it more pliable. I usually use a sharp razor blade at a low angle for this stuff. Once I get most of it off, I use a putty knife, but dragging it across rather than using the cutting edge.

Silicone is a PITA.

 

[Max Leung]

Silicone is a PITA.

*insert tasteless silicone-in-butt-joke here*

 

[Greg Kolinski]

As an auto tech,Ive cussed removing silicone for close to 20 years now That magic removal spray is what I dream of inventing so I can quit working .There is no way but scraping,and using a razor to get the smaller chunks.A wire brush attachment on a drill/die grinder helps,but would probobly do quite a bit of damage to surrounding surfaces.So,back to the razor blade.

 

[Max Leung]

Maybe you can invent a heat gun with a tip (like a soldering iron perhaps?) to press against the silicone and make it easy to remove?
If you patent it, make sure my name is also on the patent application.

 

[Dave Poehlman]

Maybe you can invent a heat gun with a tip (like a soldering iron perhaps?)

I believe they have something like this. When I had my home inspected, the inspector said I could find a scraper attachment that fits onto a soldering iron. This was to aid in the removal of the old caulk on my cedar house when it came time to re-stain it. Well, I just hired some guys to do it and I think they used a scraper. But... you may be able to find something like this... good luck.