Remove old silicone. How to wash silicone sealant - effective means. Methods and substances for getting rid of

Removing silicone from plastic is greatly simplified due to the smooth, non-porous surface. Both mechanical methods using sharp knives, spatulas and scrapers, as well as chemical ones, including vinegar, alcohol, white spirit, gasoline and kerosene, will be effective. The consequences of improper use of solvents can be avoided by testing in inconspicuous areas.

Widespread use of sealants in modern construction carries with it a number of problems associated with cleaning after renovation. Unwanted contact of sealing agents on various surfaces, including plastic, significantly complicates subsequent cleaning. The main task is to find something to remove silicone sealant from plastic without damaging the smooth glossy surface.

Dissolve, cut or scrub?

Silicone sealant can be removed from a plastic surface using mechanical or chemical means. Each of the methods described below will be effective only in some cases, collectively covering all possible nuances.

Depending on the situation, it is better to use either chemical or mechanical cleaning, in some cases their sequential use will be effective.

Mechanical method

This involves using sharp objects to help remove the physically dried silicone sealant stain from the plastic.

This method is usually used when a stain has dried on plastic. The thicker the layer of dried sealant, the greater the effectiveness of the mechanical method.

Note! The use of sharp objects can negatively affect the smooth glossy surface of the plastic - if used carelessly, scratches, abrasions and other damage appear that irreversibly damage appearance coverings.

Sharp knife

A well-sharpened kitchen or shoe knife will do an excellent job of cutting through a thick layer of dried silicone on plastic.

It is important that the blade is as smooth as possible, without minor damage, chips or protrusions - every small blemish will immediately begin to scratch the plastic, even with the most careful use.

Thin sharp blade can pry a stain of sealant under the very base, and the task is greatly simplified by the smooth, non-porous surface of the plastic. With a precise movement, you can remove all the contamination entirely in one go, while minimizing the impact of a sharp object on the plastic.

To remove a silicone sealant stain, you can resort to using a special scraper that is used for. Plastic and glass have similar types of surfaces, so this scraper will be very effective when cleaning any type of sealant, including acrylic.

Wooden or plastic spatula

When leveling surfaces in construction, spatulas of different widths are used. They are designed to smooth out freshly applied plaster or poured screed. To do this, they are equipped with thin wooden or plastic blades, which are as sharp as knives and scrapers.

They also have very comfortable handles that allow you to apply the right amount of force for the most effective removal sealant for PVC surfaces.

Advice! To remove sealant from smooth surfaces, it is advisable to use new scrapers and spatulas. If the tool has already been used, the blade may be worn to the point of becoming rough and chipped.

Napkins and rags

The above methods are usually used when the sealant on the plastic or plastic has already dried. If it is still in a gel-like state, you can use a clean cloth or napkin to wipe off the stain.

This must be done very carefully so as not to smear the sealant that has not yet hardened onto a clean surface - this can significantly increase the amount of cleaning in the future.

Attempts to immediately wash off a silicone sealant stain from plastic may fail if the sealant is quick-drying - at the point of contact between the stain and the plastic, it dries very quickly, and it is no longer possible to remove such a stain with a rag. A knife or scraper is also unlikely to help - too thin layer. If this has already happened, you should resort to chemical cleaning methods.

Chemicals

If mechanical methods are more effective in the case of a thick layer of silicone, then chemical methods do an excellent job with thin or heavily smeared stains. The tool used is a solvent and a clean cloth that is soaked in liquid.

Manufactured using chemicals special means for removing sealants like Silicon Remover.

With effective cleaning methods and products plastic window sills can be found in the material.

Soap solution

In some cases, you can try washing the silicone with regular soap. For the purity of the experiment, several types are usually used - toilet, household, liquid and dishwashing detergent.

It is necessary to thoroughly soap the dishwashing sponge under hot water until foam forms, then carefully rub the silicone stain with its soft side. There is a possibility that under the influence of surfactants, the silicone will simply begin to peel off from the plastic. In this way it is effective and...

If this method does not work, then you should use more active solvents that will definitely clean the sealant from the plastic by reacting with it.

Vinegar and alcohol

The weakest solvents include table vinegar and medical alcohol. They are active enough to wash off silicone from plastic without damaging the surface itself.

If you have doubts about the safety of their use, you can try weaker solutions by mixing alcohol or vinegar with warm water. By gradually increasing the concentration in case of failure, you can find the optimal concentration for effective cleaning.

The solvent is applied to the stain using a soft, clean cloth or cotton wool. The material is periodically replaced when the dissolved silicone permeates it thoroughly.

Advice! In the case of alcohol, any alcohol-containing liquids are suitable: antiseptics, strong alcoholic drinks and even some hairsprays.

Alcohol-based liquids cope not only with silicone, but also.

If the methods described above do not help, you can use a more serious weapon - paint thinner. It perfectly dissolves any sealants, but at the same time poses a danger to some plastic surfaces. It is so active that it reacts with some types of plastics.

To check whether the product is safe for plastic, white spirit should be tested on an inconspicuous area.

Note! If the surface begins to stretch after the cotton wool or cloth, then there is no need to use such a solvent.

It is usually not suitable for cleaning cheap plastic panels and plastics, but great.

Gasoline or kerosene

Highly purified gasoline “Galosha” or kerosene is used as a solvent.

These products are also strong enough to clean effectively, but may damage some types of plastics. Before cleaning stains, liquids must be tested on inconspicuous areas of plastic.

The video shows several ways to effectively remove sealant from plastic surfaces:

Larisa, April 17, 2018.

When conducting repair work In the house, situations often occur when sealant is unnecessary applied to tiles or to the bathtub itself. In addition, this sealant can often get on clothing or the human body. Let's consider the main methods for cleansing various different surfaces from accidental contact with silicone sealants, let's choose more effective methods than removing silicone sealant?

To clean silicone sealant, you can use a variety of mechanical or chemical methods, which include:

• you can use the scraping method with a regular knife, or use stationery knife, which is much more convenient due to the fact that it is much thinner than a regular knife. In this case, you should act quite carefully so as not to cause various scratches on the surface being cleaned from the sealant. The best option would be to immediately remove excess sealant, wiping with a soft cloth, and almost not the slightest trace will remain;

Removing silicone sealant with a cloth

• In some sealants, the constituent component is acetic acid, so you can use a vinegar solution for cleaning processes from such silicone sealants, while acetic acid the damaged area of ​​the surface is treated, then wait about two minutes and then wipe with a cloth;
• in the case when the composition of the sealant contains alcohol components, it is necessary to use an alcohol solution for the cleaning processes, and the same steps should be performed as when cleaning the sealant using acetic acid;
• in some situations, cleaning of the applied sealant is carried out with alkaline solutions, which are distinguished by their gentle parameters. If you carry out cleaning with such means, you should be careful not to allow this substance to come into contact with the human body; the cleaning process should be done with rubber gloves and other personal protective equipment.

In general, there has not yet been found such a craftsman who would have invented absolutely universal remedy to clear all possible types silicone sealants. For the most part, combined methods are used, among which the following can be distinguished:

1. Method of softening or dissolving;
2. Shearing is often used;
3. A method is also used to scrape off excess sealants;
4. Rubbing method;
5. You can use the laundering method.

“When using all kinds of chemicals for cleaning processes from excess silicone sealants, you should initially carry out a testing process in some area that is inconspicuous.”

When carrying out mechanical cleaning methods, a wide variety of tools and devices can be used. For example, you can use a regular scraper or spatula, use sandpaper to clean excess silicone sealants, or use a knife.

Chemicals for removing silicone sealant

How to remove silicone sealant using chemicals? Construction stores sell all kinds of solvents, to the common man It is quite difficult to make a choice among all this variety. You should first find out what the composition of the sealant is that should be removed, and then, in accordance with these data, purchase a solvent.

Solvents for removing silicone sealants

According to their parameters, solvents are either with one component in their composition, or may include two components. Types of solvents with two-component compositions are used mainly in industry. In everyday life home use use a one-component solvent.

Solvents can be of the following types:

1. Acidic properties;
2. Neutral in their parameters.

“When using sealants of a silicone nature, in order to avoid the formation of unnecessary drops and smudges of this substance, you should use masking tape.”

In the case when it is necessary to remove excess silicone with the vinegar included in it, you should use either an vinegar solution or types of neutral solvents, which can also be different:

• There are amine types;
• oxide nature;
• on an alcohol composition;
• amide character.

Types of silicone sealants are alcohol-based, you should use regular medical or industrial alcohol. If you need to remove neutral sealants, you can use an acetone solution, or you can also use regular gasoline.

Cleaning human skin should be done either ethyl alcohol, or acetone. After wiping the skin with these compounds, it will be necessary to wash these areas of the body with soapy water.

Removing silicone sealant from tiles and bathtubs

If cleaning is required tiles from drips or drops of sealant, you should apply a solvent, wait a little while the sealant softens, and then clean with a pumice stone or a rag.

Removing silicone sealant residue from tiles

In this case, you should be careful not to scratch the surface of the tile itself. Before cleaning the tiles, you should check the effect of the solvent on any unnecessary piece of tile.

When cleaning the surface of the bathroom, you should take into account the material from which the bathroom is made. Bathrooms can be of the following types:

• made of acrylic material;
• cast iron production;
• made of steel.

“When using chemical products to clean silicone sealants, be sure to use gloves, goggles, and in some cases a respirator is necessary.”

When cleaning acrylic bathtubs Do not use organic solvents; use is not recommended mechanical methods cleaning from excess sealant; in addition, the use of abrasive devices is prohibited.

In order to carry out the process of removing an acrylic bath from the surface, you should apply a neutral solvent, wait about a day, and then clean it off with a wooden spatula; in addition, the cleaned surface should be wiped with an alcohol solution.

Bathtubs made of steel or cast iron can be cleaned mechanically, you should be very careful in your actions so as not to cause scratches. After cutting or scraping, the remaining greasy spots Clean with powdered kitchen detergent.

Removing sealants on clothing

If the sealant comes into contact with clothing, wash the clothing using hot water.

Cleaning clothes from silicone sealant stains

To remove older sealant stains, it is necessary to apply special solvents that do not damage the clothing itself.

“When using silicone sealants, you should remember that these sealants are dangerous for products made of polycarbonate substances.”

In cases where it is necessary to clean colored clothing, you can use a mechanical method. You should spread the clothes on a flat surface, and then use a pumice stone or a scraper to carefully clean them. Then it will be necessary to wash with hot water.

Sealing products are indispensable in the home. They prevent moisture from getting into the joints of the tiles, into the cracks between the tiles and the bathroom, and seal the seams in the pool and in the kitchen. Sealants are very easy to use, but you need to act with extreme caution during repairs.

If it gets on any surface, it will have to be washed off with great effort. This is due to the ability of the product to be absorbed into the structure of the base. How to remove silicone sealant? The method will depend on the type of surface and the “freshness” of the stain.

Sealant removal methods

Why should sealant be removed immediately after its discovery, since many materials are colorless and almost invisible? The glue stain will darken very quickly; due to its structure, it is susceptible to contamination. Also, removing the adhesive seam is recommended in the bathroom and kitchen - with frequent contact with water, it can peel off and must be replaced with a new layer.

How to remove glue without affecting the surface of the product? There are several methods for cleaning the foundation:

• softening (dissolution) with chemicals;
• scrubbing;
• cutting and scraping;
• laundering.

In some cases, it is easier to remove the sealant mechanically, gradually cutting it off and cleaning off the remains. In other situations, it is better to use a “silicone remover” - a special solvent.

Mechanical methods

To clean the sealant manually, any convenient devices. It is most effective to use a sharp knife, metal spatula, or scraper. Here are recommendations for their use:

1. Putty knife. Perfect for cleaning any surfaces. Before work, you need to make sure that its edge is smooth and free of jagged edges. This is required to avoid scratches on the product. If this seems more convenient, you can remove the glue with the corner of a spatula.
2. Stationery or shoe knife. The sharp tip can be used to clean protruding silicone deposits. You must work carefully so as not to get hurt.
3. Razor blade. It must be used with special care and only work with gloves. Do not use a razor on plastic - there is a high risk of scratches.
4. Old bank card. They are made of plastic and do not leave microdamages on surfaces. But a credit card can only remove small stains from smooth surface– from glass, tiles. Cards are ideal for the combined method - first you need to dissolve the stain with a special product, and then remove the remains with a credit card.

You can also deal with the sealant if you carefully clean the surface with any abrasive - soda, salt, bath powder. Sandpaper, pumice stone, or a metal brush for dishes are suitable. Large excess glue should be cut off with a knife, then moisten a washcloth or cloth, squeeze well, and apply an abrasive substance. Afterwards you need to wash off the particles with water. You should act using gentle circular movements.

Chemical methods

IN construction stores There are a variety of products sold that can be used to wipe off the sealant. They differ in composition and are suitable for a specific type of glue; they are one- and two-component. The latter are almost never used in everyday life, they are difficult to dilute, so you need to buy a one-component product. Solvents are of the following types:

• acidic;
• neutral, including: amide, amine, alcohol, oxide.

Silicone sealant, as a rule, has an acidic base - even during application you can notice a specific smell of vinegar. Therefore, it is best to buy an acidic solvent - it will help peel off the sagging. If there is no special product, the acid sealant can be washed off with vinegar essence. Alcohol sealants are less common; they tend to dissolve in 96% alcohol (food grade, industrial grade). All other adhesives are removed by the following means:

• petrol;
• solvent;
• White Spirit;
• acetone;
• solvent 647.

Universal liquids for removing any sealant are Penta-840, Antisil, Silicon-Entferner solvents. They recommend removing large stains of material, as well as cleaning old seams before replacing with new ones. But we must remember: despite the power of action, even with such means you cannot get rid of stains from polyurethane foam sealant. It will have to be removed manually, mechanically.

How to remove sealant in the bathroom

It can be difficult to clean silicone or other sealant between the tub and the tiles. You should prepare a sharp knife - without cutting, the thick layer of material will not come off. Using a knife, cut the seam along the entire length, then hook it from below. Then you can tear off the main part of the material, but its traces will still be very noticeable. You can clean them using:

• pumice;
• salt;
• abrasive detergent;
• vinegar;
• solvent.

If it was not possible to glue the sealant carefully, stains remain on the bathtub; before final hardening, they can be easily removed with vinegar. When the glue has had time to harden, lubricate it with vinegar overnight. The sealant is removed from the acrylic bathtub very carefully; the surface is sensitive to friction and scratches. Apply a little white spirit to the stain; after 15 minutes, carefully remove the product with a wooden scraper. The residue is wiped off with a dry cloth and then washed with water.

Cleaning tiles

It is much easier to remove sealant from tiles, because it is smooth, even, and almost not scratched. First, cut off the protruding areas of the stain with a knife, then use kerosene and gasoline. They are rubbed into the surface using a rag until the hardened layer becomes soft. If there is no reaction, white spirit is used; in severe cases, Penta-840 solvent is used. Before using the latter, it is important to test the reaction of the tiles in an inconspicuous corner. It happens that dull spots remain on the surface and it loses its gloss. Features of cleaning tiles are as follows:

• “capricious”, expensive types of tiles must be cleaned with a wooden scraper;
• V hard to reach place you can use a razor rather than a knife;
• leave the solvents on the spot for at least 2-3 hours, start cleaning when the silicone looks like jelly;
• Clean off any remaining dark spots with salt.

Cleaning plastic

The adhesion of plastic to sealant is low, so the process of removing the material will be quick and without problems. Apply any solvent to sewer pipes and plastic trays, wait an hour, then remove the molten mass. The residue is washed off with regular detergent.

For fiberglass shower cabins that had to be glued with sealant, experts recommend using a special product, Dow Corning OS-2. It is designed to safely dissolve difficult stains without harming the plastic at all. The stain is treated with a solvent and removed with a spatula after 30 minutes.

Glass and mirror cleaning

Glass surfaces are the easiest to clean from silicone. Sometimes it is enough to cut off the excess buildup with a razor or knife, and then remove it with any abrasive agent. To permanently remove stains from mirrors and glass, use glass cleaning liquid. You must work carefully to avoid scratches. Old, difficult stains should be pre-treated with white spirit. Gasoline cannot be used - it will leave rainbow stains that are difficult to remove.

Removing Countertop Stains

The best way to restore a clean countertop will depend on the type of material it's made from. If the base is porcelain stoneware, you can use any method - chemical, mechanical, mixed. There will be no harm to the tabletop; it is difficult to scratch it.

Plastic bases must be cleaned with a knife, then wiped with a rag with salt and soda. You should act with caution - lightened stains may remain on a low-quality product. Chemicals are applied after testing on an inconspicuous area. After dissolution, remove the residue with a scraper, then wash with household products.

How to wash clothes

It happens that the sealant gets on the item and remains on the items of clothing. It is advisable to take action immediately. You should stretch the fabric, pick up the stain with a hard thin object, and remove the glue. When the sealant has had time to be absorbed, you will have to act differently. The stain can be wiped off with vinegar, then washed by hand. Many types of sealant can be removed from clothing with alcohol - a toothbrush is soaked in it and the marks are cleaned. The material will curl up into lumps and lag behind.

Washing sealant off hands

Helps remove material from hands salt. Pour into a small basin warm water, add a little salt. Then they put their hands in the water and begin to cleanse the product using pumice. The procedure must be repeated 2-3 times, since the glue comes away from the skin with difficulty. You can also soap your hands well laundry soap and repeat the steps with pumice.

If you need to clean the sealant urgently, you can do this by heating. Thus, it is permissible to operate on any surface where it is convenient. First, apply a little vinegar to the glue, then attach a sheet of paper. Then pass over the sheet with a heated iron.

Freezing is often used to remove glue from fabric. The item is placed in the freezer; first it must be put in a bag. In 3 hours adhesive composition carefully remove with a sharp spatula. If there is no solvent at hand, small stains of sealant can be eliminated with hydrogen peroxide. To avoid difficulties with cleaning the material, it is better to follow safety precautions when working with it. You should work with gloves and work clothes, and avoid getting glue on the surface. For reliability, the latter are covered with masking tape, which will not allow the sealant to “go beyond the limits”.

A high degree of adhesion is a necessary property of any high-quality sealant. Thanks to this property, it fulfills its main function - ensuring the tightness of joints. But unfortunately, the material itself is not able to determine the surface to which it should not stick. As a result, excess silicone and accidentally left contamination have to be removed. This is easy to do using fresh traces, but washing off silicone sealant if it has completely hardened is a more labor-intensive task. Next, we will consider easy ways to solve it, as well as the tools that will be needed for this.

If you need to remove fresh contamination, this can be done with any solvent and even ordinary clean water. To eliminate old formations, mechanical and chemical exposure both individually and by combining these two methods.

Mechanical methods

In principle, any available tools will do, preferably thin or even sharp. We list the most suitable ones and those that are most often at hand:

• Metal spatula. This tool does an excellent job of cleaning smooth surfaces from various types of materials. Before you start using a spatula to remove silicone, you need to make sure that its working edge is smooth. Otherwise, it will not only clean poorly, but may scratch the surface being cleaned.
  
• razor blade. Not everyone has a spatula, so at home, improvised means are used. The blades are made of high-hardness metal and, if used carelessly, can leave scratches even on such a durable material as glass.
• Knife . The best option- this is a wallpaper knife, but if you don’t have one, any table knife will do. This tool is most often used to remove large accumulations of sealant.
  
• Invalid bank card It won't scratch or damage anything because it's made of soft plastic. But there is also weak side, since it cannot remove significant layers of silicone. It is good to use a credit card after pre-treatment of contaminants with chemicals.

If the above tools scrape off excess material from the surface, then table salt, pumice and steel wool will help to scrub it off. Fine powdered salt is used as a mild abrasive that will not damage the glossy surfaces of glass or ceramic tiles, which cannot be said about pumice stone and steel wool.

Chemical methods

The effectiveness of any solvent depends on the composition of the sealant to which it is applied. If we're talking about about ordinary construction silicone, then in the vast majority of cases it has an acid base, as evidenced by the characteristic smell of vinegar in the uncured product. Since this type of sealant is now used everywhere, you most likely need to prepare to remove it, and for this you will need concentrated vinegar, preferably 70%.

In addition to the acid base, there is a neutral base, which includes alcohol, amide and oxide agents. For cleaning alcohol, 96% alcohol, both drinking and technical, is suitable. We remove the rest with purified gasoline, solvent, White Spirit, acetone and other solvents.

Some types of putty after complete polymerization can only be cleaned mechanically. These include primarily all polyurethane sealants. The absence of volatile substances in their composition makes attempts at softening with any solvents unsuccessful. All that can be done is to slowly pick out the dirt with a thin, sharp object. If polymerization is not completely completed, it can be washed off with 647 solvent or acetone, which is also not very easy. There is also no way to remove it from your hands after it has completely dried, you can only wait until it gradually disappears during natural renewal. skin. To avoid such problems, it is enough to lubricate your hands with liquid silicone before work during which the sealant may come into contact with the skin.

When using aggressive cleaning agents, you should remember that they may damage some of the materials being cleaned. For example, there is no need to wipe off silicone from varnished wooden doors acetone or 647 solvent. These substances, together with the sealant, can lift the varnish layer.

In any case, you should not expect comprehensive results from chemistry, especially in cases of significant accumulations of sealant. The solvent cannot completely remove the hardened material; it only softens it, which makes subsequent removal easy and safe for the surface being cleaned.

How to remove silicone

To obtain the most satisfactory result when removing silicone stains, you need to use A complex approach taking into account the material being cleaned.

How and with what means to remove silicone - video:

With bath

To do this you will need a wallpaper knife, table salt and a clean cloth. Having prepared everything necessary tools Let's start removing silicone contaminants:

1. Using a knife, carefully trim the layer of sealant that protrudes beyond the level of the upper plane of the bathtub along the entire perimeter of the junction.
2. We pick up the putty on one of the sides and try to remove it. To do this, we begin to pull the strip of sealant with one hand, and with the other we undermine it with a knife or spatula from the adjacent surface.
3. Then wipe with a damp cloth, pre-wetting it with fine-grained table salt.
4. The remaining small fragments can be washed off with a solvent or table vinegar.

If the dirt has not yet hardened, it can be removed without any mechanical action by wiping it with white spirit.

From the tile

The process of removing sealant from ceramic tiles or tiles is not much different from cleaning a bathroom, but there are some nuances to consider.

1. We cut off large fragments of sealant with a spatula or wallpaper knife. You can use any thin object that seems more convenient for a particular occasion.
2. We wet a cloth generously in the solvent and apply the mixture to the contaminated areas. This must be done in such a way that the liquid lingers for some time and can be absorbed into the hardened putty.
3. We wait 5-10 minutes for the solvent to soften the dirt as much as possible. Then we wipe it with a coarse rag, slightly moistened in the same product that was used to soften it. You can remove solvent residues by wiping the tiles with soapy water.

There is a quicker way to remove sanitary sealant from textured floor tiles.

1. Scrape off large accumulations of sealant with a wooden scraper, spatula or knife.
2. Apply to remaining stains paint brush purified gasoline (if you don’t have it, any solvent will do).
3. Immediately after treating with gasoline, take a steel wool for washing dishes and scrub off everything that remains.
4. Finally, wash with soapy water or dishwashing detergent.

From glass surface

The sealant can be cleaned from glass either mechanically or by chemical means, for this you need:

1. Trim off the excess with a blade or other suitable object.
2. Pre-moisten silicone stains with gasoline, kerosene or solvent.
3. Wait half an hour or until the cleaning agent has evaporated.
4. Wipe with a rough cloth soaked in soapy water.

From plastic

This refers to shower trays of various types plastic shelves and window sills. It is quite easy to clean any silicone sealant from such materials:

1. Apply solvent to the contaminated area;
2. We wait 10 minutes;
3. Wipe off the softened residue with a cloth.

Significant accumulations of silicone putty must first be cut off with a spatula.

From hands and clothes

If silicone just gets on clothing, you need to act quickly to prevent complete polymerization.

1. Carefully, without smearing, remove most of the dirt.
2. Generously soak a soft cloth in concentrated table vinegar and wash the remaining stain.

Afterwards the clothes can be washed in the usual way, but this no longer requires urgency.

We remove frozen silicone sealant from clothing in the following way:

1. First, scrape it off by hand using a thin, sharp object. For greater convenience, the fabric can be pulled over the area to be cleaned.
2. Next, we use the same concentrated vinegar, generously saturating the treated area with it. For greater effect, rub the spot with a brush.
3. We wait half an hour and wash with soapy water or powder, then wash the clothes completely according to the regime recommended by the label.

If the desired effect is not observed from vinegar, substances containing alcohol or solvents that are safe for fabric can be used for soaking.

You can wash your hands of dried silicone using table salt and pumice:

1. Add salt to warm water to create a strong saline solution;
2. Pour the resulting mixture into a container and place your hands there;
3. We wait 5 minutes, take a block of pumice and slowly rub it.

To clean polyurethane sealant, the procedure will most likely have to be repeated several times.

Using special wipes to remove silicone - video:

If it is not possible to determine on what basis the stain being cleaned is not possible, you should pay attention to special products for silicone - with their help you can wash most of its varieties. In addition, the likelihood that they will cause harm is minimal.

After renovation work in the bathroom or kitchen, there are often so many shortcomings that you can only be amazed. They must be eliminated, otherwise all the charm will be lost. new finishes. Sealant smudges caused by the hand of an inept craftsman are especially inconvenient.

This useful material It dries tightly to the surface and spoils the whole picture. If you didn't remove the unsightly stains right away, it will be difficult to do so later. How to remove silicone sealant from a bathtub, and how effective can such a procedure be? Do I need to urgently run to the store or can I do it with home remedies? More on all this later.

Properties of sealant

Before we talk about how to remove old silicone sealant in the bathroom, let's find out what it actually is.

Silicone sealant - fairly new construction material, capable of contacting various surfaces. It is made from low molecular weight rubber and is able to harden quite quickly. The sealant hardens at a temperature of about 20 degrees. After this, it becomes heat and water resistant and is very difficult to remove.

Silicone sealants used in everyday life come in two types: acidic and neutral.

The former exude a strong vinegar smell and contain many aggressive components. They must be handled with extreme caution and used only in areas with good ventilation.

The second ones smell almost nothing. They can be safely used on any surface. They are not aggressive and do not cause harm.

After curing, modern silicone sealants receive many useful characteristics:

• strength - ensured by silicon included in the composition;
• elasticity - remains quite plastic even after hardening;
• resistance to most cleaning agents;
• hygiene - contain antibacterial components that prevent the development of fungal infections.

When is it necessary to remove it?

Despite all the positive properties of a substance, in some cases it may be necessary to get rid of it. But how to remove silicone sealant from a bathtub and when should it be done?

Most often, “silicone” is used when carrying out repair work in the kitchen or plumbing rooms. This is due to its tightness and water-repellent properties. When should you remove already hardened material? There are several reasons for this:

1. Application errors. If after curing it turns out that the silicone was not applied correctly and there are gaps left, the seal will not be airtight. You will have to clean the entire seam and carry out the procedure again.
2. Carelessness during work. Anyone, even a very professional master, is capable of making mistakes. Inattention when applying the product may result in contact with areas not intended for this purpose.
3. Seam wear. Nothing lasts forever. If the repair was carried out a long time ago, the surface of the seam may darken and crack. The seal will have to be completely replaced.
4. The appearance of fungus. This happens especially often in rooms with insufficient ventilation. Antibacterial additives contained in the sealant simply do not cope with their function.

In order not to think about how to remove silicone sealant from the bathtub, it is better at the stage preparatory work follow all recommendations for its application. Moreover, each manufacturer places detailed instructions right on the tube. Strict adherence to the instructions will avoid redoing the waterproofing work.

Mechanical cleaning

The first method that immediately comes to mind to remove silicone sealant from a bathtub is mechanical cleaning. That is, you just need to take it and scrape it off. The following tools will be useful for this:

• wallpaper or stationery knife, blades for them;
• scraper or spatula;
• knife, screwdriver, chisel;
• scissors;
• grater;
• pumice;
• sandpaper;
• wire brush and other items.

This technology cannot be used on all surfaces, but only on those that are difficult to scratch.

The layer of frozen sealant is cut off with a knife as close to the surface as possible. The remaining film is removed using pumice, sandpaper, metal scraper or other similar means.

If after the end of the process there are still greasy and dirty stains on the surface, they can be removed using household chemicals, for example, a brush soaked in dishwashing detergent.

If there is not too much silicone, you can try to remove it by melting it construction hairdryer. This device is capable of heating the air flow to a temperature of about 400 degrees. Silicone melts and can be easily removed.

Folk remedies for removing sealant

Fresh product, just squeezed out of a tube, can be removed quite well with an ordinary woolen cloth or rubber scraper. How can you remove silicone sealant if it has already hardened?

Hardened material can not only be cut off. It lends itself well to dissolution by various chemicals. But what to do if you are reluctant to use aggressive chemicals? How to remove silicone sealant from a bathtub using traditional methods?

Regular table salt or soda

You can use common salt as an abrasive. Apply it to a damp sponge or cloth and rub the old marks with force. It is important to ensure that the salt remains wet at all times during the cleaning process. Of course very heavy pollution it will be difficult to eliminate this way. But salt, according to housewives, removes sealant residues or a thin film quickly and without a trace.

In the fight to keep your plumbing clean, you can also use baking soda. It is also a good abrasive. Soda - very accessible remedy. It is inexpensive and available in every household. Just like salt, it is applied to a wet rag and the contaminated area is thoroughly rubbed.

Vinegar essence or "Dichlorvos"

Here are a few more ways to remove silicone sealant in the bathroom. These components, although much more aggressive, are also quite “folk”.

To clean the bathtub from the sealant, you can use vinegar essence (at least 70%). It dissolves silicone well and allows you to remove it without a trace. The product is applied to the dirty surface and left for 10-20 minutes. Then moisten a hard cloth with vinegar (a “waffle” towel will do) and rub the contaminated area quite vigorously. Don't forget about gloves, the substance can corrode your hands!

The familiar repellent “Dichlorvos” also has unexpected properties in this regard. It contains a solvent. If you believe the reviews, this is a fairly strong solvent that can cope with hardened silicone. True, here you will have to stock up not only with gloves, but also with a respirator. Dichlorvos has an unpleasant aroma. A bonus will be the complete disappearance of various midges and insects from your home.

Handy chemical materials

Here are a few more ways to remove excess silicone sealant using well-known solvents. If you've done any renovations, you'll probably find something from the list below in your home:

• kerosene;
• White Spirit;
• diesel fuel;
• solvent;
• acetone;
• gasoline "Galosha";
• other solvents.

The choice will depend not only on what is available. It is important to pay attention to the type of surface you are going to clean. You also need to look at what kind of silicone you used. It is better to clean acidic ones with acetic acid, but for neutral ones use alcohol-based solvents.

Aggressive chemistry - removers and cleaners

If all the means described above do not have an effect, you will have to go to the store for special removers. Sometimes this is the only option than to remove the old silicone sealant. Old stains are difficult to wipe off, but according to user reviews, commercial silicone solvents cope with the task with ease.

Judging by the reviews, among the most popular are the following:

• HG Silicon seal remover.
• "Penta-840".
• Quilosa Limpiador.
• Silicon-Entferner.
• Mellerud.
• Dow Corning OS-2.
• Soudal.
• Sili-kill.

There are many similar aerosols, pastes and liquids, but these have received the most positive user reviews.

Each product has clear instructions for use, but in general the process can be characterized as follows:

• apply the substance to the dirty area using a special sprayer, brush or soft cloth;
• leave to act for some time;
• remove remaining sealant using a spatula, wooden spatula or other device.

It is very important to carry out all work with such products wearing a respirator and thick rubber gloves. If they can dissolve caulk, imagine what they can do to your hands.

After the product has been completely removed, wash the treated area thoroughly with warm water and detergent or soap.

Features of removing sealant from different surfaces

The subtleties of surface treatment will also depend on the material from which it is made. For example, do you know how to remove silicone caulk from an acrylic bathtub? What about cast iron? What about enameled or steel? Each process has subtleties. We'll talk about them further.

1. Enameled bathtub. Such Plumbing equipment withstands ordinary mechanical cleaning very well. You can rub it without a twinge of conscience, scrape it with a spatula or knife. If all else fails, streaks can be removed with aggressive solvents, and then the residue can be cleaned off using a metal “hedgehog” soaked in dishwashing detergent.

2. Bathtub made of metal (steel). For When cleaning such a surface, it is better not to use alkaline or acidic solvents. These products can leave unsightly black marks. This happens due to oxidation of the metal. According to reviews from housewives, the Dow Corning OS-2 solvent showed the best results. It is enough to apply it to the dirt and wait 10 - 15 minutes. The silicone will roll into small balls that can be easily peeled off.

If you cannot find a suitable solvent, you can use a hair dryer or fine salt.

3. Cast iron bath. like this Plumbing fixtures can be cleaned however you like. Cast iron easily withstands most chemical solvents. In addition, it can be scraped and rubbed. To remove the sealant without a trace, you can cut off the thickest layer with a knife. Then use a plastic spatula and remove the residue. The placement site is cleaned with pumice or sandpaper, and then washed with a sponge soaked in a cleaning solution.

4. Acrylic bath. This the most “delicate” type of coating and must be handled with care. The consolation is the fact that the adhesion of silicone to acrylic is much weaker. It will be easier to clean such contamination. Here you can use the same Dow Corning OS-2 solvent. According to reviews, it does not harm the acrylic surface and gently removes silicone. It is enough to smear the contaminated area and leave for about an hour. Next, the dissolved silicone is washed off soft cloth, and the treatment area is washed with dish soap.

To ensure that your plumbing is not damaged, follow these simple rules:

1. Test the chosen product on an inconspicuous area. If after 15 minutes you do not find any negative effects, use the product on the entire surface.
2. While working, make sure there is good ventilation, take gloves and a respirator.
3. To achieve best result, use all means in turn, depending on the aggressiveness of the impact.
4. Try to remove the sealant at the stage construction work, then there will be no need to clean it after polymerization.

You can get rid of drips of silicone sealant. You just need to remember that each material has its own methods of influence. Right choice The product guarantees not only effectiveness, but also safety.