Best way to remove sealant ?

[Steve N]

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 ?

[wiz]

Nope!
Just use a Standley knife, thats what I did. Be careful not to cut yourself

[Alan CD]

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

[nheather]

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

[27neth]

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..

[Phil57]

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.