Caulk, cleaning and repair/replacement

[Shadow Catcher]

Time to repair, replace, clean, caulk
In the process of doing clean up while replacing screws noticing the caulk looks nasty and folks got a bit sloppy. How to clean caulk tried alcohol did not work and remembering I had some 3M cleaner to be used before applying VHB tape. Works WONDERFUL, but do not have much and it is expensive. Very distinctive smell and so looked at the MSDS sheet and Xyele is one of the components at the top of the list. Picked up a quart at one of the big box stores and low and behold it works. I did try it on both the Filon and painted metal with no damage. I would test it on other surfaces.

Now the BAD NEWS it is NASTY, flammable and gloves needed and hurricane force ventilation http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927324

Looking at Caulk and will probably use Geocel or Dicor but was in my usual obsessive way looking for tests/comparison and can find nothing, very frustrating.

[mustangcats]

3M makes a product called Caulk Remover for softening and removing old caulk. I bought some to remove the caulk around my trailer windows but haven't gotten around to using it, so I don't know how well it works.

[Shadow Catcher]

The remover is not a problem the cleaning the top of with out removing is
Goo Gone also makes a remover that works fairly well, if you are patient.

[3GKnight]

You might try an automotive tar/bug cleaner. I use Tarminator. http://www.stonercarcare.com/Products/exterior/tarminatoraerosol It takes some work & multiple applications but it's faster than GooGone.

edit: I have not tried this on caulk. Mostly weatherstripping.