RKL
Webster, N.Y. USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/04/2002
View Profile
 Offline
|
I need to remove silicone sealant from my roof joint and reseal with polyurathane....What is the best solvent to remove residual silicone sealant.Thanks RKL
2002 Journey DL 330 Cat
2006 Jeep Commander Limited/HEMI
2005 Jeep Wrangler SE
Roadmaster tow set up
Brakebuddy
|
Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Try the 3M indoor/outdoor caulk remover, worked great for me. Apply, let sit for a an hour or so, wipe off.
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Is the old sealant really silicone? If it is Dow corporation advised us several years ago that nothing will disolve it once it is set or cured. The only way to remove it is by mechanical means, scraping or brushing. If it is a 2 part epoxy type sealant like used on marine or aircraft applications, the same thing could be true, depending on type.
If something new has come along since we checked on it, keep in mind that anything that will dissolve or loosen these types of sealants will probably do nasty things to paint and plastic also. These types of solvents may be hazardous to skin, eyes, and lungs as well.
Be careful, read the MSDS and observe all safety precautions.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
|
bushman512003
wallaceburg,ontario,canada
Senior Member
Joined: 01/24/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Fisherman Did You reseal after removeing the silicone? with what and did it stick well?I bought some clear window caulk made of a urathane they say its better than silicone for out door use.I will see when I get the 5er home and reseal a little area, that's opened up from what ever reason.I will get some 3M cleaner also and give it a shot.John
Forest River Reflection,Cummins pusher,slide out,and all the toys.Enjoying camping,friends, fire. LOL. life is good..John,Jeannette,..From Canada the Queen's Country..Member of IRV2.Com. The Bushman EH!
|
Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, I resealed around the windows with Lepages Bulldog grip Polyurethane, does a far better job than silicone. Silicone seems to loose its bond on aluminum after a while, no matter how clean the joint is. Last time I got it was at Candian Tire, they don't carry it anymore but Home Depot has a similar poly caulk. Best o luck and hope you're not out there in the snowbank trying it.
|
|
|
Capt. Jack
Tucson, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
You might look at these 3M products for removing sealant in the aerospace world
Sealant removal
Jack Foster
Country Coach Allure 40'
Dynomax Chassis 325hp New Custom Paint
2003 Subaru Forester & 2007 Saturn Vue V6 AWD Toads
|
rpitchford
Hacienda Heights, CA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/18/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I think mowermech is right. If it is really silicone like GE, I don't think anything will touch it. I just removed my shower skylight to reinstall it (due to a leak) on my aluminum roof. There were at least three different substances piled around this thing and still water was getting by.
On the top was a thick, white rubbery covering which I was able to peel away by pulling slowly. Under that was a thick gray self-leveling stuff which was hard (and cracked) on the outside but still soft, runny and sticky underneath the crust. The Skylight had been installed with a thick, sticky, rubbery, non-hardening caulk that was probably original.
I scraped all of this crud off the roof, plastic skylight and aluminum bezel with a thin 2-3 inch scraper/putty knife that I kept resharpening with a stone. It required great care to not scar up these items too much. Once I got most of the big chunks off, I was able to remove the tacky leftover residues with lacquer thinner (move quickly on the plastic!).
Putting it back together, I used the non-hardening A/C putty tape between the roof, skylight and bezel. Over this, I ran some healthy beads of Hypalon (C-10).
All I can say is thank god I don't have a rubber roof...
I'm also thankful that the skylight had not been installed with GE Silicone. If it had, I would still be trying to pry it off.
Roy
The Pitchfords
|
Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Well I think mowermech and You are both wrong, 'cause the 3M Caulk remover is made to remove silicone, that's why I used it! If it didn't say for silicone, then I would have used some cowpaddy or something else...
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Go back and re-read my post:
"Is it really silicone...?"
"Several years ago Dow said..."
"If something new has come along since then..."
Everything I stated was (and is) the absolute truth.
Where was I wrong? Please be specific.
|
Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
mowermech, didn't mean to bite, got jumbled between 2 posting, but the fellow who asked, did specify silicone, alhtough it does others too. I've had the 3M caulk remover for at least 3 years, twice for re-doing the silicone caulk on the bathtub and once 2 years ago on the trailer. Read instructions well, some caution needed. I just wish the snow and cold would buzz off, gettin cabin fever. Cheers.
|
|
|
