Old silicone removal

cagey

cagey

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The chain plate tangs look as if they were bedded/sealed with silicone, whatever it is it has failed, as I’m going to remove the mast seems like a good time to get an easier access to the 1mm or so gap around the chain plate, what would you suggest to effectively remove the old material, digging around isn’t very sucessful, although it’s not watertight it is tenacious as something to a blanket
Thanks
K
 
I've seen acid based gel products said to remove silicone, but they tend to be locally made (so Australian brands are not much use to you). Prop Speed, which is a silicone based product have an acid product they sell to remove their product (primarily because something in the Prop Speed is a suspected carcinogen and physical methods spread it into the air, read the small print!). An issue might be removal from vertical surfaces and getting the gel to adhere long enough to do its work.

Jonathan
 
davethedog said:
wd40 works to remove silicone.
Click to expand...

As does petrol.
The stuff screwfix sell does work, but it's slow and expensive.
I don't like to introduce chemicals which might make re-sealing difficult.
If possible, use a scalpel. If you can slice away the bulk of the sealant leaving only a thin layer, that will tend to tear. Wire brushes can be effective in some situations.
 
"..digging around isn’t very sucessful, although it’s not watertight it is tenacious as something to a blanket"

Silicon does not have massive adhesive strength and should not be so tough to physically remove so my bet is that it is something else entirely.

It's the residue that can cause a problem so follow the advice above and abrade well
 
doug748 said:
"..digging around isn’t very sucessful, although it’s not watertight it is tenacious as something to a blanket"

Silicon does not have massive adhesive strength and should not be so tough to physically remove so my bet is that it is something else entirely.

...ll
Click to expand...
I once stuck a portlight in with silicone, because I knew it had to come out again, when it decides to stick properly, it can be very strong.
 
Very true, I did something similar with a Perspex hatch which stayed stuck for about 15 years. Though generally I find you can get a blade under it without too much trouble and then scrape it away often with finger pressure.
 
Does anyone know where I can buy Re-move / DSR-5, in the UK?

I've used google, but he only UK listing I can find, says it's not available.

The YouTube Video, gives quite a convincing demo, so I though it worth a punt.

I have an area of old silicone sealant to clean off, where my original solar cells where located, there's quite a large area to clean, and it's on a no slip deck surface, so I'd impossible to scrap.

I've tried IPA, and a rubber buffing wheel, and neither of these are effective, I'll give Petrol and WD40 a go this week and see how I go.
 
I've recently used this on a variety of silicone sealants/caulks and it works very well.

https://marinestore.co.uk/DeBond_Marine_Formula_Polyurethane_Sikaflex_Remover_4oz.html

Used most recently when i removed some revolting blockboard from the combing steps which had been stuck-down with a tonne of brown sealant which was edged with very tough black caulking. This stuff softened it up nicely and made light work of it all. The jetwash blasted off what was left, so minimal elbow-grease needed.

I tried the "No Nosense" stuff from Screwfix and a Geocel product and didn't find them as good as the Marine Formula stuff.
 
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