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Removing silicon sealant |
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| message from truman on 14 May 2004 |
Hi all
When fitting a new kitchen 2 weeks ago, we used a clear silicon sealant to
seal the s/steel sinktop onto the high gloss worktop. There are some smears
of sealant on the worktop surface. Can anyone suggest the best way to safely
remove it? Tried hot washing up water, also turps substitute, both to no
avail.
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| Grunff replied to truman on 14 May 2004 |
The only thing that will reliably dissolve cured silicone is silicone
eater. Available from screwfix and some of the sheds.
BTW, a future tip: when siliconeing, clean up afterwards with
isopropanol. It's brilliant at removing uncured silicone.
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| Ian Stirling replied to truman on 14 May 2004 |
Dry, rub off with fingers.
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| G&M replied to Ian Stirling on 14 May 2004 |
I've got same problem - still leaves a stain that you can see if you catch
the light right.
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| Ian Stirling replied to G&M on 14 May 2004 |
I think that this might be silicone oil left over, rather than the actual
sealant.
Haven't had this problem.
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| G&M replied to Ian Stirling on 14 May 2004 |
Yep - definitely an oily tint to it. Won't come off with anything mild and
don't want to try anything brutal on a new worksurface.
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| Grunff replied to G&M on 14 May 2004 |
I really doubt it's silicone oil, it far more likely to be polymerised
silicone. However, if it is oil, it will readily dissolve in any alcohol
(ethanol, propanol etc.). If it is cured silicone, then the only readily
available solvent for it is silicone eater.
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| Ian Stirling replied to Grunff on 14 May 2004 |
There is a substantial amount of silicone oil in silicone, to make it
flexible.
Easy to find out.
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| Grunff replied to Ian Stirling on 14 May 2004 |
Hmm, this is not my understanding of RTV silicone rubber chemistry.
AFAIK, you start off with what is essentially a high viscoity silicone
oil, and you polymerise it completely into a rubber. While a small
number of molecules will inevitably remain unpolymerised, I don't
believe this is either intentional or important to the rubber's physical
properties.
I could of course be totally wrong. This is me trying to remember a
lecture from 10 years ago.
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| Ian Stirling replied to Grunff on 14 May 2004 |
I was looking into breast implants (not in situ)
and found http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309065321/html/index.html
and found that free silicone is in fact present intentionallt, in moderately
high quantities, to make it more flexible.
The first mention I find on rereading is page 51.
The above contains some interesting reading, including the lovely factoid
that though it may be sterile saline that's injected into the implant to
inflate it, there is free silicone in the capsule, which can diffuse out,
and that glucose and other nutrients diffuse into the capsule, and bacteria
and molds grow in it.
Eww.
It also contains passing mention of injection of waxes and silicone
lubricant injected in the aim of beauty, and the nasty consequences.
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| Mary Fisher replied to Ian Stirling on 14 May 2004 |
Even better - and I know you'll say that this is a girlie answer but it
really does work - rub it with talcum powder. Or even flour. I promise you
that it works no matter how long it's been there.
Mary
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| truman replied to Mary Fisher on 15 May 2004 |
| Even better - and I know you'll say that this is a girlie answer but it
| really does work - rub it with talcum powder. Or even flour. I promise you
| that it works no matter how long it's been there.
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| Mary
| >
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Well who would have believed it - it works !! Talc that is. Thanks a lot
Mary, good job done. I better watch what I rub with talc from now on - never
realised its hidden powers.
truman
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| Mary Fisher replied to truman on 15 May 2004 |
It's far better than oil for other purposes too not as messy ...
Mary
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| nick smith replied to Mary Fisher on 15 May 2004 |
Go on, Mary give us a few examples !!
Nick
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| Mary Fisher replied to nick smith on 15 May 2004 |
Sorry, this was the wrong ng. I wsn't thinking of doing it myself :-)
Mary
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| Ian Stirling replied to Mary Fisher on 14 May 2004 |
That sounds likely too.
Talcum is obviously absorbent, and a light abrasive.
Same way that sand can be very usefull for cleaning off paint from
hands.
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| Mary Fisher replied to Ian Stirling on 15 May 2004 |
I discovered yers ago that it was the best thing for removing that nasty
dirty gum left when a sticking plaster peels off skin. When Spouse did some
work on the caravan, using silicone sealant, there were the inevitable
residues. He tried all sorts to get it off, when he started scraping with a
knife blade I took over - he was impressed at the speedy result. Brownie
point to Mary!
Er - well ... not on my soft and fragile skin thank you. I leve that to
horny handed sons of the soil :-)
Mary
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| Ian Stirling replied to Mary Fisher on 15 May 2004 |
Well, there is sand, and sand.
Soft river sand (as present here) isn't particularly nasty, sharp sand
may result in problems cleaning up the blood :)
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| Mary Fisher replied to Ian Stirling on 15 May 2004 |
We use sawdust for that. But first you have to make the sawdust and Spouse
keeps his saw blades very sharp ... it's a hen and egg situation ...
Mary
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