How to dissolve silicone sealant?





In this article we will talk about how to dissolve silicone sealant. This topic is quite relevant, because often, wanting to save money, we start to make repairs on our own. Subsequently, you can regret making such a decision, because in inept and unusual hands, everything goes awry, and ends with soiled building materials, furniture, dirty clothes and body. In addition, a few years after the repair, it often becomes necessary to remove the old sealant, as it may deteriorate, leak moisture and lose its thermal insulation properties.

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What is silicone sealant?

Silicone glue-sealant is a means for coating joints and seams. It protects these vulnerabilities from moisture and improves the thermal insulation properties of wall and floor coverings. All varieties of such glue are made on the basis of silicone rubber with the addition of special components.

By consistency, it is a mastic, which when applied becomes harder and after a short time dries completely. Most often, such a tool is used in bathrooms, ventilation systems, aquariums. It does not in any way spoil the appearance of a double-glazed window, tile or floor covering, as it is absolutely transparent.

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Removing sealant from surfaces

Hardened silicone sealant is almost impossible to remove. The surface on which it is applied, together with the glue become a single whole. Therefore, if you have a need to dissolve silicone, then this process should not be delayed, you must start working right away.

Important! The sealant dries very quickly. The time it takes to do this depends on the thickness of the application and the type of surface. The average drying rate is approximately 2 mm per day. But it also happens that in just 20 minutes the sealant grasps to the surface tightly.

Special solvent silicone sealant

In construction stores you can buy a special tool - a silicone or sealant solvent. It can be in the form of a spray, paste or liquid. The most popular products are on sale from such brands as:

• Soudal;
• Silicon Entferner;
• Permaloid
• Hammerite;
• Smellex Multiclean.

Important! When choosing a solvent for silicone, be sure to consider its component composition. Some cleaners are suitable for acidic products, and others for neutral ones.

Such a tool removes not only silicone, but also enamel, paint, varnish and other similar substances. After applying the product to problem areas, the sealant is easy to clean with a wooden scraper.

Important! Before using such a silicone solvent, you should try it on a small invisible area of ​​the material to make sure that it does not ruin the coating.

The mechanical way to remove silicone

In these cases, the sealant is removed using a pumice stone and a sharp knife. First, a knife is used, after which the remaining silicone is cleaned with a piece of pumice.

Important! The knife should be thin and very sharp. Pick one so that it has a sharp tip - this will help remove the sealant from the small cracks.

When can silicone be removed mechanically?

Such a method is advisable to use only in the following cases:

• When there is no risk of scratches on the surface.

Important! Cleaning tiles in this way is strictly prohibited, since damage to its outer layer is simply impossible to avoid.

• When it is possible to restore the outer layer of the surface without any problems.
• Removing sealant from a site that is hidden or not conspicuous.
• When the appearance of the surface does not matter much.
• If the use of chemicals leads to damage to the surface material.

The mechanical removal process:

1. First, large growths of dried silicone are cleaned with the back of the knife.
2. Smaller ones are removed with the sharp side of the knife blade.
3. After that, the residues are cleaned off with a pumice or hard eraser.

Important! The likelihood of damage to the surface of the material during this process is high enough, so it’s worth it to be very careful and leisurely to remove to avoid scratches.

4. As a rule, after removing the sealant, a greasy stain remains on the surface. To remove it, use a dry hard washcloth or the hard side of the dishwashing sponge. If the stain cannot be rubbed off with a simple washcloth, try using a glass cleaner.

Important! The mechanical sealant removal method is best suited for smooth and even surfaces.

If this method does not help, then it is used in combination with chemical or other auxiliary agents.

White Spirit

This chemical agent acts as a solvent for silicone sealant:

1. Moisten a rag in solvent.
2. Treat a small area of ​​the contaminated area.

Important! You should not handle all problem areas at once, since white spirit evaporates very quickly.

3. After 20-30 seconds, the sealant will become soft and you can try to quickly remove it with a sharp knife.
4. If the silicone layer is thick enough, then the procedure should be repeated until all layers of sealant are completely removed.

Acetone

This tool, as a silicone solvent, is more aggressive than white spirit. Therefore, first of all, focus on the compatibility of the liquid and the material that needs to be cleaned.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to clean plastic products with acetone, since liquid can corrode the material..

The cleaning procedure with this tool occurs in a similar way to purification with white spirit.

Important! For the safe use of acetone, treatment is best done in a well-ventilated place and using personal protective equipment.

Salt

This product is used to remove residual stains or thin layers of silicone sealant.

1. Make a swab of salt from a thin cloth, gauze or wide bandage.
2. Moisten a salt swab in warm water and rub the problem area.

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Useful tips for removing sealant from various surfaces

• If the basis of the material on which the sealant hit is ceramic or glass, then for easier removal of the silicone stain, the object must be preheated. As the temperature rises, the sealant will melt and can be removed with a simple rag or cotton swab.
• Excess “fresh” silicone can be easily removed with a rag dipped in vinegar.
• All procedures with solvents should be carried out as far as possible in a dry room. So the tool will work faster and the sealant will be easier to remove.
• If you stained plasterboard casing, then cleaning it with solvents makes no sense. The material will soften when exposed to liquid. Since the finish coat will still be applied to drywall, it would be better to simply cut off the silicone stain close to the surface of the sheet.
• If sealant gets on plastic surfaces, for example, polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride, it can be removed with acids. Hydrochloric acid is quite suitable.

Important! Almost all silicone solvents change the tone of the paint on the painted surface and dampen the gloss of the tile. Therefore, use them on painted surfaces only if absolutely necessary.

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How to dissolve silicone on clothes?

If the sealant in the process of getting on your clothes, you must immediately wash it in water with high temperature. Soft, not yet solidified silicone is easily washed off the fabric.

If the glue has dried out, you will have to sweat to get rid of it.

Method number 1

Work clothes can be treated with any silicone solvent. Put it on the blurred area and leave for 30-60 minutes. After that, wash your clothes as usual.

Method number 2

Soak a cotton swab in a solvent and apply to a spot of sealant. After that, iron the product in a problem place with an iron through several layers of paper.

Method number 3

Chemicals can ruin colored clothing. In this case, you can try mechanical cleaning:

1. Fasten the fabric in a stretched form on a flat surface.
2. Carefully remove silicone from clothing with a scraper or brush with a metal pile.
3. Wipe the remaining trace with gasoline, vinegar essence, alcohol or white spirit.
4. After that, immediately soak your clothes and wash in the washing machine.

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How to dissolve the sealant on the hands?

As with clothing and items, it is easiest to remove silicone on the skin until it has completely dried. To do this, use one of the following methods:

• Rub your hands with a plastic bag. Silicone should stick to polyethylene. After that, just wash your hands with soap.
• Soak a cloth in kerosene and rub the contaminated skin. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after such a treatment.
• Prepare a solution of vinegar and water, mixing the components in equal proportions. Use a prepared hand wash. After contact with vinegar water, cleanse your skin with clean water and soap.
• Fresh sealant can be removed from the skin of the hands with pumice. To do this, steam the skin by placing your hands in hot water for a couple of minutes. After that, lather it well and gently rub it with a pumice stone.
• Acetone and gasoline also act as a solvent sealant. To remove silicone, rub dirty areas with a cotton swab dipped in one of the fluids.

Important! To prevent such skin problems, work with silicone sealant with gloves on. If for some reason you are uncomfortable wearing gloves, then you can rub your dry hands with plenty of soap and wait until they dry. A layer of soap will create a kind of protective film on the skin and prevent the silicone from firmly absorbing into the pores.

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Stock footage

When making repairs, always immediately remove accidental sealant stains on floor or wall surfaces. If the stain has managed to dry, then do not fall into despair. One of the proposed methods, for sure, will help return the surface to a smooth and clean look.