AVForums

Our philosophy in our forums, reviews, podcasts and feature videos is to promote audio and visual excellence by gathering and sharing the best information and resources available.

Help

To begin please visit our help section »

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Member Log in

Best way to remove sealant ?

Post Reply
Old 24-10-2009, 9:02 AM   #1
Prominent Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Peterborough
Experience Points:
13,799, Level: 28
Points: 13,799, Level: 28 Points: 13,799, Level: 28 Points: 13,799, Level: 28
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 536, Got 296
Posts: 4,448
Best way to remove sealant ?

I got areas around in the bathroom and kitchen that need re-sealing as the mastic/sealant is tatty and gappy.

Is there a painless way to remove the old stuff completely and cleanly ?
  Quote
Old 24-10-2009, 9:10 AM   #2
wiz wiz is online now
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Experience Points:
6,854, Level: 19
Points: 6,854, Level: 19 Points: 6,854, Level: 19 Points: 6,854, Level: 19
Activity: 5.7%
Activity: 5.7% Activity: 5.7% Activity: 5.7%
Thanks: Gave 101, Got 67
Posts: 1,474
Re: Best way to remove sealant ?

Nope!
Just use a Standley knife, thats what I did. Be careful not to cut yourself
  Quote
Thanks from:
Steve N (24-10-2009)
Old 24-10-2009, 9:47 AM   #3
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Experience Points:
11,870, Level: 26
Points: 11,870, Level: 26 Points: 11,870, Level: 26 Points: 11,870, Level: 26
Activity: 5.7%
Activity: 5.7% Activity: 5.7% Activity: 5.7%
Thanks: Gave 487, Got 1,101
Posts: 6,297
Re: Best way to remove sealant ?

Hi Steve

Yes - you can purchase a special sealant removal tool from any DIY store.

Dig it in one end and run it along and it lifts up the old stuff - mold and all! Works well.

Alan
  Quote
Thanks from:
Steve N (24-10-2009)
Old 24-10-2009, 10:52 AM   #4
Conspicuous Member
 
nheather's Avatar
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Experience Points:
17,661, Level: 32
Points: 17,661, Level: 32 Points: 17,661, Level: 32 Points: 17,661, Level: 32
Activity: 2.7%
Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7% Activity: 2.7%
Thanks: Gave 595, Got 1,168
Posts: 8,354
Re: Best way to remove sealant ?

Quote:
Dig it in one end and run it along and it lifts up the old stuff - mold and all! Works well.
Does that work on silicone?

I could easily imagine it working with acrylic and mastic - when removing that I try to get under it at one end and then tear a strip off.

But silicone clings like hell (if it was applied properly in the first place). Even if you cut it with a blade, the residue remains and clings tighlty.

There is silicone remover - I've never tried it but next time I have to remove some I might give it a go - I'd cut as much as I can and then use the remover liquid on the residue.

If the liquid can remove set silicone it must be pretty nasty stuff though, so take care.

Cheers,

Nigel
  Quote
Thanks from:
Steve N (24-10-2009)
Old 24-10-2009, 11:52 AM   #5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: middlesbrough
Experience Points:
3,219, Level: 13
Points: 3,219, Level: 13 Points: 3,219, Level: 13 Points: 3,219, Level: 13
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 36, Got 224
Posts: 1,926
Re: Best way to remove sealant ?

If you use the silicone remover (it does work) remove the thick first with a stanley knife. Also make sure you clean the area with meths or it will dissolve your new silicone

John..
  Quote
Thanks from:
Steve N (24-10-2009)
Old 24-10-2009, 1:41 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Phil57's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Vale of Evesham
Experience Points:
3,205, Level: 13
Points: 3,205, Level: 13 Points: 3,205, Level: 13 Points: 3,205, Level: 13
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 600, Got 310
Posts: 2,881
Re: Best way to remove sealant ?

The tool that Alan CD mentioned works surprisingly very well, use the tool to remove the bulk, then use sealant remover to melt any remaining, then I would suggest using a steam generator to finish.
  Quote
Thanks from:
Steve N (25-10-2009)
Post Reply



Thread information and display options
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off