I need to strip silicone off a culturaled marble sill so that I can recaulk it. I will be using silicone to replace it. That being said, I went into my garage to grab the caulk remover (that softens it up, etc) and I don’t have any.
I do have a montage of other chemicals that I could use. They include, Naptha, MEK, Laquer Thinner, Mineral Spirits, Xylene and Goof Off.
If YOU had only the above to work with and were dealing with cultural marble to an aluminum shower enclosure, had to do it tonight without running to the hardware store and wanted to make sure the surface was prepped so that the recaulking job will last, which chemical would you use?
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I'd remove another laminate sample off the chain. Grab my razor scraper and then lug all those solvents to the bath.
First I'd scrape with the lam. sample. Being careful-I'd use the razor scraper flat only. Probably try the zippo fluid (naptha) first with a plastic pot scrubber pad. I'd then use that lam. sample again. Finish up with maybe some lacquer thinner for the visuals. You sure you don't have denatured alcohol in there too?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
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I didn't want to add another chemical to my garage for fear that they would label my cabinet as a SuperFund site!
I was figuring I had to use elbow grease, but it sucks to have a chem lab on hand and not having the "wonder mixture"
Try the medicine cabinet-the wife probably has some of that denatured alcohol.
Using whatever I can find and the scraping method outlined above I've had no delaminating of new sealants yet. If you can see it or feel it-the old residue is still there.
The stuff is ####, I hate silicone and use it rarely. It always fails and always is a bitch to clean off.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
She doesn't go in my garage, and I don't go in her medicine cabinet. Agreements like that have kept us happily married for the past 14 years!
I'll get my exercise and contact high by using your 1st suggestion. Thanks
Best of luck and remember the usual disclaimer-test in an inconspicuous spot.
When scraping-no scratching.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
The stuff is ####, I hate silicone and use it rarely. It always fails and always is a bitch to clean off.
I share your feelings.
I have gotten some really nice stuff from a glazier in the area though. Not the same stuff you buy at the box.
Silicone actually holds up fairly well when not constantly subjected to wet.
Yes, you are right that there are way better applications where it's used successfully.
Pity I always seem to run into the bogus use which necessitates getting it off.
Kind of like an unresponsive female now that I give it some thought.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Mike,
Xylene will soften silicone, careful with the rags because the stuff is photoreactive and will sometimes ignite in bright sunlight.
I would recaulk with Lexel since it will stick to old silicone. It comes in white or clear. Gotta tool it quick with thinner cuz it sets quick.
KK
coonass mentioned that xylene will soften the stuff, which I'll have to try some day. But to my experience, nothing will disolve silicone. I use a sharp razor. If going against silicone on grout, I go through several blades.
The Lexel caulk mentioned by another poster is good stuff, but not the only brand. It's a clear polyurethane caulk, which is available from a variety of brand names. If the store doesn't have Lexel, check if they have another brand.
Have fun! =)
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None of those chemicals will do a thing but give you a headache. Sharp razor blades and plenty of Windex or other window cleaner. Change blades often.