Getting rid of sealant

Gordonmc

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19 Sep 2001
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I need to clean up some well-cured sealant around portlight flanges.
The lights have been bonded in place with black goo, I think its 3M 5200.
Frames and rings are UV stabilised plastic.
It doesn't matter if the frames and glass are destroyed - I have replacements but I don't want to damage the gel-coat and fibreglass which covers ply on the saloon coamings.
So, is there a suitable solvent?
In the US there is a product called Marine Formula by DeBond which will (allegedly) soften 5200 and Sika etc. An alternative is Anti Bond 2051, but I can't find a retailer of either in the UK.
As an aside, I has stainless steel brackets for steps in the cockpit which were bonded with a similar goo. The only way I could get them off was with a 2 lb lump hammer which broke the bond between the FG and ply. The goo was intact.
 
I swear by "Wonder wipes", great for removing smears of silicone, not sure about large amounts, available in most builders merchants, there is a cheaper version but not as good. They are are also great for moving stains on grp etc, tube of 100 about six pound!
 
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