How to remove silicone sealant

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pdecat

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I need to remove every trace of silicone sealant before painting. Is there any silicone stripper available.
 
After scraping off the heavy stuff, denatured alcohol (and elbow grease) works pretty well and shouldn't hurt the gelcoat.
 
Bruce

Google DeBond 2000. It will readily remove cured silicone sealants along with 3M 5200.

Follow up with an acetone wipe to insure that you have a completely clean surface.

Before painting, spray mist the surface with water. If it beads, you still have some silicone contamination that has to be removed.

Bob
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory Saracco

How about acetone?

Click to expand...


Acetone will work...I have used it in the past...You must re-wax after using acetone...
I read somewhere that acetone is also good to clean shore power cords...
 
Bob: the debond articles I found make no reference to silicone.
 
Bruce

I tried to access the Marine Formula Corp web site without any success. They are the manufacturers of DeBond 2000. I don't know what the problem is. However, in the past, I read the description on DeBond 2000 and it specifically stated that it would remove silicones.

I personally used the DeBond 2000 to remove silicone sealants and then re-caulked, without any problems. I did however add a solvent wipe with acetone prior to caulking.

You can go to www.soundingsonline.com. In the search box type in DeBond 2000 and click on the first topic. It does mention that the 2000 will remove silicones. You can also go to www.merrittsupply.com and read the description for DeBond 2000.

You didn't mention what you're planning to paint and or if you plan to use an automotive type finish. You might want to read this article at autopia. It discusses paint prep and also references the use of a silicone additive to aide in painting over a contaminated surface. I've used the silicone additive several years ago when painting steel panels.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail...90-role-silicone-plays-car-care-products.html

Bob
 
Some year ago I contacted Dow corning about removing a large amount of silicone on a building. They said good luck. There was nothing that removes all silicone traces. I have found that removing with a blade then a solvent wipe followed by a wash with hot water with ammonia in it helps. If you are going to sand prior to painting then do these steps BEFORE sanding. If you try to sand the silicone off you will just spread it out and ingrain it to the sanding scratches. If its on gel coat its even worse as gel is porous and silicone's would have penetrated far below the surface. You can get silicone drops to add to paint to help deal with any remaining silicone's but its not an alternative to thorough washing.Good luck. Nothing is more disappointing than seeing those fish eyes appear after all that hard prep work.
Bazza
 
Sandy

I wouldn't put much stock in the GE procedure for removing silicones. The mineral spirits are not going to touch the sealant. They might act as a lubricant during the mechanical removal process, but that's about it.

There are commercially available products that will remove cured silicones, but consumers do not have access to these because of liability issues, etc.

I've used the DeBond 2000 for removing both 5200 and silicones, with excellent results.

Bob
 
I guess I try debond but I sure wish there was something specifically claiming to be the right product.
 
I have tried everything known to man including all above except Debond. Mine is on the chrome next to the glass. I do a little with a razor blade but it takes hours to get a little off. I have also scratched the chrome a little
 
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