Getting rid of silicone

[wombat88]

Our dinghy has an eyebolt in the stem. A previous owner hit the jetty at Bowmoor with it and ever since it has been an unsightly mess with what looks like silicone attempting to hold it steady.

I want to strip it, remove the eyebolt and epoxy/fill to tidy the whole thing up. Epoxy will never adhere to silicone so...how do I get rid of the silicone?

 

[westernman]

Our dinghy has an eyebolt in the stem. A previous owner hit the jetty at Bowmoor with it and ever since it has been an unsightly mess with what looks like silicone attempting to hold it steady.

I want to strip it, remove the eyebolt and epoxy/fill to tidy the whole thing up. Epoxy will never adhere to silicone so...how do I get rid of the silicone?

Acetone??

But may be a different glue might be better in the circumstances. E.g. resorcinol/aerodux.

 

[Seashoreman]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonse...C0L8hflZRm3FLhKLHaAaAn5rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have used this and it worked for me.

 

[Neeves]

Do it yourself outlets sell, or they do in Oz, silicone removal products (the ones I know of are like a jelly) - go ask the employees.

Then aggressively abrade the surface.

Jonathan

 

[lustyd]

Your only real solution is remove the material that the silicone was touching.

 

[wombat88]

Your only real solution is remove the material that the silicone was touching.

I was afraid someone might say that... a bit like a dentist I need to grid away anything infected before applying the filling...

 

[lustyd]

It's frustrating but you'll be glad when it's done properly. Or you'll get tired of dust and bodge it

 

[dankilb]

I was afraid someone might say that... a bit like a dentist I need to grid away anything infected before applying the filling...

You might find a sharp blade will get most of the silicon before grinding.

 

[Neeves]

I was afraid someone might say that... a bit like a dentist I need to grid away anything infected before applying the filling...

But to create a good bond you would need to abrade the original surface any way. Using some form of chemical remover initially will make abrading the surface easier. If its an old dinghy then the fibre glass will host all sorts of contaminants in its surface porosity and a good clean with degreaser, solvent, bleach, soap and water will be fairly fool proof (and not cost much except a bit of time)

To remove most of the silicone.

edit

Find some scrap acrylic, search a scrap bin. About 10mm thick. Make yourself some acrylic scrapers or chisels. You want the working edge to be sharp and straight and at about 45 degree. Use them, as you would a hand chisel. Depends on the size of the infected area - but you will need to resharpen or make more than one. Acrylic is softer, less hard, than the gel coat and will not damage the surface.

Jonathan

 

[Martin_J]

As per Seashoreman's reply, although I've usually gone for the Soudal version.. (available from Toolstation, Screwfix and other DIY outlets)..

Scrape off the worst then let the stuff do it's job before wiping off..

Soudal Silicone Remover

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Our dinghy has an eyebolt in the stem. A previous owner hit the jetty at Bowmoor with it and ever since it has been an unsightly mess with what looks like silicone attempting to hold it steady.

I want to strip it, remove the eyebolt and epoxy/fill to tidy the whole thing up. Epoxy will never adhere to silicone so...how do I get rid of the silicone?

There are silicon removal solvents, as above, i have had this issue on a grand scale, having had to remove Hempel Silic one from my boat. I have 5 litres of solvent left if anyone needs it, but it’s on the Isle of Wight. We used solvent, then scrape, then sand to bate wood, and throw away the sanding machine, else it will pit silicon dust on all subsequent work.

 

[lustyd]

I hate to disagree, but that stuff is more likely to spread silicone residue further than do anything helpful. It's designed to strip silicone in bathrooms prior to reaplication (and it's pretty crap at that compared to a knife). As you wipe it up you will get silicone everywhere and have even more grinding to do.

Just grind back, it's ultimately the only thing that will actually work.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I hate to disagree, but that stuff is more likely to spread silicone residue further than do anything helpful. It's designed to strip silicone in bathrooms prior to reaplication (and it's pretty crap at that compared to a knife). As you wipe it up you will get silicone everywhere and have even more grinding to do.

Just grind back, it's ultimately the only thing that will actually work.

It does soften it up for scraping first, which is a good thing, but you have a point. Use with care, and don’t expect it to be a complete fix.

 

[lustyd]

It does soften it up for scraping first

This is useful in a bathroom, but given everything it's touching on this dinghy needs grinding anyway it seems redundant since the grinder or longboard will remove all silicone anyway and fully set it won't contaminate anything

 

[Chiara’s slave]

This is useful in a bathroom, but given everything it's touching on this dinghy needs grinding anyway it seems redundant since the grinder or longboard will remove all silicone anyway and fully set it won't contaminate anything

In a limited area I might be tempted to surgically remove the whole area with a multi tool. But I’d want a look before suggesting it seriously.

 

[Seashoreman]

I hate to disagree, but that stuff is more likely to spread silicone residue further than do anything helpful. It's designed to strip silicone in bathrooms prior to reaplication (and it's pretty crap at that compared to a knife). As you wipe it up you will get silicone everywhere and have even more grinding to do.

Just grind back, it's ultimately the only thing that will actually work.

Well I disagree with your disagreement. Last time I used the stuff from Screwfix was to remove an obvious emergency application around the fore hatch. Simply brushed it on and used course wire wool to remove all residue. Cleaned up perfectly. Each to his own and jobs differ?

 

[greeny]

Maybe a car refinisher's suppliers will have something to completely remove it without destruction. They will have to clean silicone from panels etc before spraying.

 

[westernman]

Even once you have cleaned it up, I would still use a glue which is more tolerant to silicone residues. Such as Aerodux.
Epoxy is not always best.