I want the silicone to burn in hell

[Frank's Trailer Works]

What solvent will eat silicone up. The PO installed two large windows with safety glass... guess they did not know about VTS or Inland RV stocking all the seals and gaskets to do the job right. I have huge beads of silcone to remove in all the locations that gaskets should be. As many of you know silicone bonds very well with lumanum. What is the most powerful, most effective solvent I can use. I have hugged many trees, so I do not want to know about the eco friendly stuff... I want the nuclear strength solvent.

[overlander63]

Caulk remover, sold at Home Despot. Plastic razor blades to scrape the remains. A blowtorch. Okay, just kidding about the torch, that's a little extreme. It will remove the trailer along with the silicone.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

If you look at my pictures you will see a close-up of the windows... that is a full fill caulk job. If I do not get it all out I will not be able to get the gaskets to seat, and have lots of leaks..

[overlander63]

After you take the frames out, you can tape around the caulk, and use a cookie wheel to remove the silicone. Just be careful, a cookie weel is abrasive, and can remove aluminum if you aren't careful.

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

If you look at my pictures you will see a close-up of the windows... that is a full fill caulk job. If I do not get it all out I will not be able to get the gaskets to seat, and have lots of leaks..

Take a look a this silicone calk remover from VTS. Worked great for me.

[Ganglin]

From the GE Adhesives Web Site



How do I remove silicone products?


It is VERY difficult to remove silicone from a surface. However, if you must remove it, follow the suggestions below.
To remove silicone sealant from surfaces, first remove as much as possible by cutting/peeling/scraping excess sealant from surface.

• For ceramic tile, marble, Formica>Ò>, fiberglass, etc., use 100% mineral spirits (turpentine) and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Test solvent on a hidden area of the surface to ensure that discoloration will not occur. If discoloration does occur, contact the manufacturer of the surface for further assistance.
• For glass surfaces, use a razor blade to remove as much as possible, then apply mineral spirits. Remove excess as much as possible, then apply mineral spirits. Remove excess with a towel or other suitable cleaning utensil that will not mar the surface (such as a non-abrasive pad).

NOTE: For surfaces such as hard plastics or painted surfaces, including cars, use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Do not use mineral spirits. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. Material Safety Data Sheets for GE Sealants & Adhesives products are available upon request. Similar information for solvents and other chemicals you choose to use with GE products should be obtained from your suppliers. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed. On Rough, Porous Surfaces>
To remove sealant from a porous/rough surface, (concrete, brick, wallpaper) remove as much of the sealant as possible (same as smooth surface). If necessary, use a wire brush in conjunction with mineral spirits. NOTE: We do not recommend use of a wire brush to remove sealant from wood surfaces, as doing so could damage the wood. Also, mineral spirits should not be used if the wood has any type of finish on it. Test solvent on a hidden area before applying. Mineral spirits are flammable and should be used away from sparks, flames and other sources of ignition. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. Material Safety Data Sheets for GE Sealants & Adhesives products are available upon request. Similar information for solvents and other chemicals you choose to use with GE products should be obtained from your suppliers. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed. NOTE: There is nothing that will dissolve silicone. NOTE: If reapplying silicone to the area, remove the old sealant. Then clean the area with a disinfectant if mold or mildew is present, apply rubbing alcohol. Let the area dry before re-applying silicone.<> Do not use soap to clean surfaces to be sealed because silicone will not adhere to surfaces covered with any soap scum.

[FreshAir]

I have had good success loosening silicone with Gasket Remover. I think Permatex makes it. You will find it at auto supply stores.

[CaddyGrn]

Elbow grease does a good job! along with dental tools around windows.

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Elbow grease, of course, I would have never thought of that... EVERYTHING, one does on an Airstream, requires a ton of elbow grease, ... EVERYTHING! And no matter how hard you rub that grease, that silicone is not going burn in hell.
Vintage Trailer Supply has an actual product to remove sealant, why does that not surprise me? I love that place... five boxes came from them just last week. My wife is wondering if I am buying a new Airstream from them part by part. A shipment arrived litterally everyday last week
Mineral spirits? Really? I wonder if I could build a shallow tank and just let them soak in there for awile. The silicone that is inside the frame is what I am worried about... getting in those interior channels with a dental tool is going to be a challange. I know that it must all come out or I will never get the seal in the groove it is intended to go in.

[Becky B.]

If you have no clearcoat on your trailer, you could try some auto stripper from Wal-mart. It does loosen the silicone, but it will eat clearcoat and good caulk if you've applied any yet, as well as plastic (like your lights, etc). Harbor Freight has some dental tools with orange handles that worked well for me when I removed tons of silicone from around rivets & windows.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

I have had good success loosening silicone with Gasket Remover. I think Permatex makes it. You will find it at auto supply stores.

Just to save you a few bucks next time, the gasket remover you pay $5 for at the auto parts store is nothing more than oven cleaner, available at Dollar General for, you guessed it, $1.

[Nellie]

I know what you mean, and I wish I could be more help but I will tell you that Silicone-B-Gone did not work for me! I followed the directions very precisely, and had no result. I too have a huge amount of silicone to remove, and am getting very frustrated.

Nellie

[1953 Flying]

I had this same problem with my AS. I just scraped all that I could. With some mineral spirits and 00 steel wool it removed all the silicone. With this method you will also get a shiney bracket. Hope this helps

[ScottW]

MEK should work well.....just be careful with it.

[B4WEDI]

Lacquer Thinner is cheap and will do the job quickly without hurting anything, It will most probably also set yer head a spinnin' and put a glazed look in your eye !

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I use laquer thinner when I spray laquer on the cabinets I build. It does not eat it up. I want it to burn in hell!

[Frank's Trailer Works]

A friend said MEK or methyl Ethyl Ketone is the stuff. Tells me it will eat anything not made of metal and will leave it clean enough to eat off of. Does anyone know about this stuff or is he feading me a bunch of stuff. I know MEK is very toxic and can pass right through your skin into the blood. I have attempted to remove silicon fron aluminum before and know how hard it is. I thought someone has the magic secret solution.

[muddy_hollow]

Aircraft Stripper is available from auto body shops and will eat anything. I used it to remove zolatone from my interior panales and it works great. Don't get it on your skin, burns like hell.

If you're looking for near nuclear strength remover, this is the stuff. Even ate off powder coating!!!

HTH,

Doug