Thread: Silicone Remover

Bin J,

I didn't know of this stuff, thanks for this post, I will have to try it.

It says in the blurb it is suitable for masonry and "cementitious" (who the hell makes up these words???) material.

Chris

Yes it works well. Its gelled sulphuric acid so safety precautions like safety glasses recommended. Should be OK on stone etc, but I would advise checking it in a hidden area first.

CHeers
Michael

I have also used it in the kitchen where the installer used the wrong silicon. I had to replace with a mould resistant variety.

I found it to work well
Buzzer

Hi Bin J

I have not used the Selleys product so cannot comment beyond saying that they are usually quite good.

However I do have a classic yacht which is kept afloat with silicon. The only stuff I have found that will consistently remove cured silicon is a solvent called Xylene - available from most speciallist paint stores, but probably not Bunnings or Mitre 10. Heed the safety warnings as its very volatile.

Cheers

Graeme

If Graeme's advice is the go, and xylene is effective, you can get it at Bunnings, usually in the indoor timber section, it is the thinner for U Look concrete sealers.

Wot he said re safety warnings.


Cheers............Sean

Thank you for all your replies - of course after posting, I went looking for this product - it was no where in town .

I ended up using a scraper to get rid of the bulk of it, then using a tupperware jar opener (a flat bit of rubber stuff - have a look in your bits and peices utensil drawer, you usually get them free at tupperware parties) to rub off the rest and a bit of metho to clean it up. VERY tedious but now it's done . . .

Hi,

I just tracked this thread down via the search facility, the reason being is that I have several bits of clear silicone to remove from my shower unit (screens etc - as I have to reseal them). Having just googled Xylene I think I will give it a wide berth.

I was told by someone today the acetone would do the trick. Has anyone tried it for this appilcation and if so did it work OK?.

Regards
David

Im in the same boat.

I need to remove the "not so mould resistant" selleys from our shower cubicle and replace it with sika poly U.

Will acetone, xylene or the selleys stuff affect the adhesiveness of the sika?

I think you'll find that acetone, xylene, tolulene, etc will just flash off, ie. evaporate and leave a clean surface which will take anything.

As to how effective each is at removing the silicone - I dunno.

Metal head, if what you've read about xylene is the "...known to cause cancer/brain defects/ingrown hairs in the state of Californication...", this pretty much applies to any aromatic (read "smelly" ) solvents, good idea to keep the area well ventilated in use, no flames or sparks, & wear gloves & specs but don't let that deter you from using them to do a job, just take the proper precautions. Some countries/states nanny laws are worse than others


Cheers.................Sean

Cheers.................Sean

I have tried xylene to remove silicon (sikaflex 291 marine grade) in the past and from what I remember is that it was about as effective as turps,metho,petrol etc ie doesn't work or I should say works a little bit and that is more likely to be your elbow grease doing the job. The Sikkaflex 291 may be a lot tougher than bathroom silicon. In fact from memory the data sheet states that the only way to remove the product after curing is by mechanical means.
Rotten messy stuff.

Originally Posted by scooter

I think you'll find that acetone, xylene, tolulene, etc will just flash off, ie. evaporate and leave a clean surface which will take anything.

As to how effective each is at removing the silicone - I dunno.

Metal head, if what you've read about xylene is the "...known to cause cancer/brain defects/ingrown hairs in the state of Californication...", this pretty much applies to any aromatic (read "smelly" ) solvents, good idea to keep the area well ventilated in use, no flames or sparks, & wear gloves & specs but don't let that deter you from using them to do a job, just take the proper precautions. Some countries/states nanny laws are worse than others


Cheers.................Sean

Cheers.................Sean

Yes, these solvents will just evaporate off and not leave a residue behind. "Aromatic" solvent actually doesn't have anything to do with smell. It has to do with the particular type of carbon-carbon bond in the ring. The simplest aromatic solvent (and also one of the most toxic)is benzene. This is just a planar hexagonal structure with 6 carbons in the ring, each with one hydrogen. Because each carbon is joined to only 3 other atoms, but a carbon has a valence of four, it implies 3 double bonds in the ring. But these double bonds are averaged over all 6 bonds in the benzene (resonance) and produce what is known as an aromatic bond. These aromatic bonds give rise to the rigid planar structure. But I digress . Benzene is a bugger because it accumulates in the body, the liver has trouble metabolising it into something watersoluble that can be eliminated. Toluene and xylenes are less bad. The liver can convert toluene (a benzene ring with one methyl group attached in place of a hydrogen) into benzoic acid, which is water soluble and can be excreted. Best to minimise exposure to these things, especially if you use them on a regular basis.

Cheers
Michael
I forgot to mention that none of the solvents mentioned will remove silicone. But the Selleys product works well (concentrated gelled sulphuric acid)

Thanks Michael, I'm on fire today


Cheers................Sean