Removing sikaflex deck seams

Seagreen

Seagreen

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It's that time again and the winter work schedule is upon me.

I'm re-seaming the teak - please no comments about scrubbing, the deck itself is fine - I just need to find out the quickest way (apart from paying someone else) to remove the old sikaflex from the seams without removing too much wood, and if there is a quick way of cleaning up the vacant seam without using a router?

I'm quite prepared to reshape a chisel or scraper for the job. I thought that I could pull up the rubber from one end, but not if the seam is still good.

Or, can I? Answers appreciated, as always.

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Hmm. Yep, very interested. I may have to trade off budget expense versus time saved. Does this tool really ream out the sikaflex easily? I've a 35' deck to do, but most of that is coachroof, so about 9 square metres in total, but a lot of awkward corners.

If I can clean the deck up in a couple of long days, it'll be worth the money - can it do this?
 
I can feel my fingers twitching towards my wallet. The phrase "buy me- you know you want to" is whispering behind my eyes...

Oh stop it you lot, the SWMBO wants some decking. I'll get into trouble.

I guess the 3 or 4mm depth is the "cut depth" of the blade, not the thickness of the metal?
 
I only did 3"... It did it very well but I am replacing the deck a season early so didn't undertake the remedials.

Rest assured you would not be disappointed with the tool. It has hundreds of uses. The plunge saws are my favourite, they are easily used in obscure places and can cut right into corners, a real quality tool. I am a carpenter and wouldn't be without it now.
 
Just ordered one.

Googled it and came up with a supplier some £8 cheaper than Axminster Tools (well, every little helps).

By the time it arrives, I'll be ready to rip out the seams. Just glad I already have the kneepads! Thanks for the info, people.
 
I've used the tool for many hours as well on re-caulking the deck. It's a great tool, but don't expect miracles. The Multimaster removes the most of the old caulking but you will still need to to a lot of manual labour to clean out the seams. I use a small flat screwdriver for this to scrape the side walls of the seams clean from residue. It took me most weekends of a winter to go over a 31 ft teak deck and an other quarter winter for the coach roof. The result is very good though.
I estimate I've seen every inch of seam from real close at least 6 times before the deck was finished.
Also take a close look at the old caulking and make sure it's PU-based (like sikaflex). Hallberg-Rassy uses silcone based seams and you need to be extra careful/thorough if you want to use sikaflex afterwards. Silicone and PU really do not like each other (will not bond).

Cheers,

Arno
 
I'm not particularly looking forward to the job, but it has to be done, and better now than next year when the problem will be worse. I estimate the total area of the deck to be about 8 or 9 square metres.

I've got a fine selection of chisels and scrapers, and kneepads! I think with application and planning, I can get the job done in a couple of months. Well, thats the plan.
 
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