How to remove old caulk, glue and crud?

Zstream · 05-12-2008, 06:04 PM

I am about to reseal doors and windows. I tried goof-off and Lift-off in an attempt to scape out the old caulk, glue etc... WD40 works OK for caulk but can get a handle on the old glue and adhesives used to afix old seals etc... Anybody have a trick for scaping out old glue and years if accumulated crud around doors and windows? Tks, Z..

**overlander63** · 05-12-2008, 06:06 PM

One of the tool distributors sells an item that is basically a very large round eraser that coes into the chuck of your electric drill. It removes stickers, pinstripes, and adhesives, as well as adhesive-backed stuff. Supposed to be non-marring.

goransons · 05-12-2008, 06:14 PM

3m makes on and it worked very well on a fiberglass shell on a fleet vehicle we worked on, never tried it on metal, but assume if its safe for fiberglass it is safe for metal, though you'd need to be careful the area doesn't get too hot, tons of friction. You can get it through almost any auto paint supply house. We tried caulking remover from Home Depot and it worked well, as well as xylol (or zylol) solvent from the hardware store took care of some of it as well. Plastic puddy knife can also come in very handy.

**wahoonc** · 05-12-2008, 06:16 PM

I used a brass or plastic brush wheel in the drill, then the dremel to get the stuff off of the two windows that I have done so far.

Aaron

Zstream · 05-12-2008, 06:17 PM

Thanks! I am going to pick that up tomorrow. -Z

Fyrzowt · 05-12-2008, 06:50 PM

3M makes a caulking remover that works great on silicone. It comes in a red and white(?) bottle that looks like a bottle of school glue. Apply it, let it sit for a couple of hours, caulking comes off in a string.

cameront120 · 05-12-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

3M makes a caulking remover that works great on silicone. It comes in a red and white(?) bottle that looks like a bottle of school glue. Apply it, let it sit for a couple of hours, caulking comes off in a string.

Do you know if it works on Vulkem & Sikaflex?

Lothlorian · 05-12-2008, 07:17 PM

On an earlier thread I read where somebody used De-solv-it for removing the glues from gaskets and weather stripping. I used it last weekend and it worked well on the glue for the gaskets, but not for the weather stripping on the screen door. From just trying different things such as goof of, steel wool, 3-M scouring pads, lots of elbow grease and De-Solv-it I got most of it off but not all of it. I also burned out my dremel using a wire brush with it. I still have a little bit to go so if anybody else knows of anything that works please let me know. I am speaking about the adhesive for the weather stripping for the screen door.

SIU Bound

Brian

goransons · 05-12-2008, 07:21 PM

xylol/xylene works great even on vulkem, even old stuff. not sure about clear coats though.

62overlander · 05-12-2008, 07:29 PM

MEK... it is the bomb. Cleans aluminum instantly and takes off any foreign substance. It dries very quick and the fumes make you smile from ear to ear. MEK, I highly recommend it. I just bought a 5 gallon of it specifically to clean up before and after polishing.

rancher Jim · 05-12-2008, 07:34 PM

[quote=SIU Bound]On an earlier thread I read where somebody used De-solv-it for removing the glues from gaskets and weather stripping. I used it last weekend and it worked well on the glue for the gaskets, but not for the weather stripping on the screen door. From just trying different things such as goof of, steel wool, 3-M scouring pads, lots of elbow grease and De-Solv-it I got most of it off but not all of it. I also burned out my dremel using a wire brush with it. I still have a little bit to go so if anybody else knows of anything that works please let me know. I am speaking about the adhesive for the weather stripping for the screen door.

SIU Bound

Brian
I used a presure washer on my screendoor and it came right off. This was pretty old so had been on there for a long time. Rancher Jim

Fyrzowt · 05-12-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameront120

Do you know if it works on Vulkem & Sikaflex?

I don't know that. It is called Caulk remover, I have only tried it on silicone. It works great for that.
Dave

flashbackk · 05-12-2008, 09:57 PM

I can recommend the stuff I got at Ace Hardware called "Contractor" or something similar that works well. It really melts the clear silicon the the PO loved so much.

custom67as · 05-12-2008, 10:04 PM

I replaced all my window gaskets last year. I can't remember where I got the information but the thread I read to replace window gaskets said to use acetone to remove the glue after you scrape most of the gasket material off. It worked fine for me and its cheap. Use gloves!