What is your method of silicone removal?

[On one]

I am getting more and more jobs that require the removal of old mouldy silicone around shower trays and baths. Whistle this has never been a speedy job,does anyone have any tips that will speed the job up?

Are those specialist silicone removing corner tools safe on the baths/tray's?
Is there any one silicone remover better than the other?
Is there anything slightly abrasive that will remove the every little last bit of silicone?

 

[Mr Tiler]

nearly every job I have done has required me to remove old silicone I just use a glass scraper havnt scratched a thing as of yet... Neale also gave me something called silicone eater il give that a try when I get chance he said it is really good though

 

[enduro]

Just use a blade but be careful not to cut the tray...Silicone eater is a complete waste of time.

 

[Mr Tiler]

I havnt tried it yet so i cant comment

 

[Mr Tiler]

Oh also ive been told that wd-40 helps the proccess when scraping havnt tried that yet either though lol

 

[Qwerty]

I often use a windscreen ice scraper. It's ideal and never scratches

 

[On one]

Just use a blade but be careful not to cut the tray...Silicone eater is a complete waste of time.

I wouldn't say it was a complete waste of time.......just maybe more trouble than it is worth!

 

[On one]

I often use a windscreen ice scraper. It's ideal and never scratches

I once got a purpose made plastic blade for removing silicone.........it last all of 5 mins!

 

[Mr Tiler]

I have a sharp peice of plastic i used to use in a previous job to remove labells without scratching the metal its not very practical for silicone though doesnt worek for me prefferr the glass scraper just have to be cautious especially over bumps

 

[Sean Kelly]

I've used the silicone eater - imo it's rubbish.
I've tried various tools and specialist blades (plastic ones and metal ones, profiled ones), all rubbish.
The best method that works for me is (as Mr Tea bag says) is a glass scraper. The one that takes a razor blade. I also clean the area with some methylated spirit (great smelling purple stuff).

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I've used the silicone eater - imo it's rubbish.
I've tried various tools and specialist blades (plastic ones and metal ones, profiled ones), all rubbish.
The best method that works for me is (as Mr Tea bag says) is a glass scraper. The one that takes a razor blade. I also clean the area with some methylated spirit (great smelling purple stuff).

Don't drink it though Sean, you will end up sleeping on a park bench wrapped up in newspaper to keep you warm.:yikes::lol:

 

[Gazzer]

I dont think silicone eater is a waste of time...sometimes it maybe and other times it works...it does make it messy though. Sure if you can use the scraper method then great and yes meths works good to clean up.

 

[AliGage]

WD40 works a treat for removing the residue. Blade to remove the bead.
I've mentioned WD40 before and some have said it stains grout. Personally I've never had that issue but bare it in mind if you do use it.
Any other silica based spray will work.

 

[enduro]

Another good thing to use is a hairdryer it softens the silicone. Dont use a heat gun it may melt the tray. lol

 

[swanman]

White sprit is good

 

[Rookery]

I use a stanley knife to get the bulk of it off then a razor scraper for the residue. Tried silicone eater and found it slow, messy and slow.

 

[One Day]

Spray on grout sealant also softens and dissolves silicone - and won't harm grout.

 

[Rossymcg]

Just use a blade but be careful not to cut the tray...Silicone eater is a complete waste of time.[/QUOTE

Really?
I had to take off silicone from every ensuite of an 82 bedroom new build nursing home a few years ago, the chap building it was a penny wise and pound foolish type of guy at times, got someone who claimed he was a dab hand at it, it looked BAD, any way the silicone eater worked a treat, I gunned on 5 bathrooms and then went back scraping fell off,

 

[Hlm]

The no nonsense silicone remover works well if the bulk of the bead is removed. I've used it on a bath seal that needed cleaning up and it worked a treat.

 

[enduro]

Just use a blade but be careful not to cut the tray...Silicone eater is a complete waste of time.[/QUOTE

Really?
I had to take off silicone from every ensuite of an 82 bedroom new build nursing home a few years ago, the chap building it was a penny wise and pound foolish type of guy at times, got someone who claimed he was a dab hand at it, it looked BAD, any way the silicone eater worked a treat, I gunned on 5 bathrooms and then went back scraping fell off,

#

Try using it on old silicone...Its a complete waste of time.

 

[Gazzer]

The brand of silicone does make a difference but the facts are that it can work and its an option.

 

[lmkitchens]

100 SINGLE EDGE RAZOR WINDOW / SCRAPER BLADES WITH FREE SCRAPER | eBay

 

[skiroy]

MULTISOLVE CT1
This is the best stuff on the market to remove silicone. Spray it on and wipe it off.
Watch the video on there website it is that good.
[video=youtube;rB1FzPRQU0Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB1FzPRQU0Q[/video]

 

[Andy Allen]

I use elbow grease .....:smilewinkgrin:

 

[widler]

I use apprentice then go for a brew

 

[On one]

When I went to book out some stuff at the local merchants I spied the ice scrapers on the counter,so I picked a one up to see how it goes............and boy did I get a quizzical look from the assistant and sarcastic ''do you know something about the weather that I don't!''

 

[Mr Tiler]

I use apprentice then go for a brew

that is the best reply yet lol

 

[prceramics]

A small tool works really well

 

[High Peak Tiling]

Stanley knife, Stanley scraper with brand new blade each time.

 

[Matt]

I do the same, carefully use window scraper plus I've also discovered a product called silicone multisolve which also attacks the silicone that's left and you can practically rub it off