Update/Goop-Off Window Sealant/Caulking Removal (Silicone?)

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

So I bought these used camper windows, and there is some sort of goop/sealant/caulking used by the previous owner, that I am thinking I need to remove before I install them in my camper (Pictures below).





The stuff is difficult to get to. I can't get a razor blade into the groove. I've tried peeling it out (mostly ineffective), attempted using a wood chisel, getting nowhere fast. It just stretches and snaps back in, or a little piece breaks off. Resilient stuff, whatever it is...

I am wondering if a wire wheel or abrasive wheel in my angle grinder might take it out - Or if there is a solvent of some sort? I also need to be careful not to damage the window?

Thanks, AL in Asheville

[Steve_Cox]

Oh man..... you are so screwed

Nothing takes that stuff off.

[Alfred]

Oh man..... you are so screwed

Nothing takes that stuff off.

Geez, Steve - Thanks for the message of affirmation and hope!

But next time, don't hold back, give it to me straight...

So I guess I just keep wrestling with it - or buy different windows, then? These were going to go in my doors...

See, they look nice from the other side...





Al in Asheville (Doh!)

[Ageless]

Try freezing it

[Alfred]

Try freezing it

Hmm, I would have to find someone with a big enough freezer...I don't have one that would accommodate them, or Winter is coming - Could wait for the first freeze/snow here in the mountains...I don't know if its feasible...

Al in Asheville

[Steve_Cox]

Al,

Looked kinda like silicone. A sharp blade close to the metal, wood carver chisel for the narrow slots. Ace Hardware sells a silicone remover, I haven't tried it. Friction between a dry thumb and the offending sealant often takes it off very slowly. I hate that stuff.... If it's the 25 year sealant, I'd just wait.

Nice windows

[Alfred]

Al,

Looked kinda like silicone. A sharp blade close to the metal, wood carver chisel for the narrow slots. Ace Hardware sells a silicone remover, I haven't tried it. Friction between a dry thumb and the offending sealant often takes it off very slowly. I hate that stuff....

Nice windows

Hey Steve,

Yeah, I'm thinking it is silicone, too - Those are the methods I've been trying so far. Wood chisel, rubbing with thumb. A little is coming off, but I just spent about 30 minutes and didn't get but a little bit out. I concur, its a pain in the...umm...posterior. I might check on the Silicone remover, see if it works, and report back.

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

If it's the 25 year sealant, I'd just wait.

Gallows humor, but this was funny, I laughed out loud (Grin)...

C'est la vie...

AL in Asheville

[eamarquardt]

Can't tell from the pictures but if your window frames are anodized (NOT PAINTED) I'd be willing to bet that paint stripper (the good stuff with methylene chloride as one of the ingredients) might work. Work carefully, wear nitrile gloves (they won't last long), and don't get it on any rubber or plastic that you don't want destroyed.

Might be worth a try.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[Alfred]

Can't tell from the pictures but if your window frames are anodized (NOT PAINTED)...Gus

Hey Gus,

Thanks for the feedback. I don't know if they're anodized or painted, on the inside where the caulking is, they are white, which was the original color.

They have been painted silver on the outside face. Outside sort of looks like silver spraypaint if you look at it closely.

AL in Asheville

[Miriam C.]

http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... Id=2151182

Hey Al, you can try the stuff above. You might also try calling an auto window repair place and see if they can help you.

Good luck.

[S. Heisley]

Based on what Gus said above, (If windows aren’t painted...use paint remover) I would see if I could find a small bottle of "Goof Off" and "paint" it on a small area, to see if it will loosen or dissolve the sealant so that you can wipe it off. The can says it removes caulk, but it doesn't differentiate by type; so I would say any caulk, even silicone types. It also says it removes asphalt, ink, gum, paint, most glues, etc. It removed three different kinds of bathroom caulk for me plus took burn marks off a faux marble counter top. It isn't expensive. Use with care, away from fire and with plenty of ventilation. The product is made by Atlanta Sundries in Lithonia, Georgia, scew number 23494-00005.

Regardless of your final method, please report back on what works for you...just in case we need to know sometime!

[eamarquardt]

Hi,

If it's white on one side and painted silver on the outside I'd bet that it was white on both sides at one time. So, if it's be painted on the outside already, if you damage the paint on the outside when you try the paint stripper, you could always sand it and repaint it.

Paint stripper with Methylene Chloride is mean stuff so if you decide to try it, test a small spot and if you decide to move forward, work slowly and carefully to keep it off parts you don't want stripped of the rubber or whatever. Methylene Choride is strong medicine but "goes where others wont".

I'd try the other commercial products first if they aren't too expensive.


Good luck.

Cheers, 73, K,

Gus

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

Just an update. I visited a local glass/autoglass place, and the guy there said either Lacquer Paint Thinner or Acetone would take the silicone caulk off.



I went to Walmart and didn't know whether the Lacquer Thinner or the Acetone would be better, they're about the same price.

The fellow in the Walmart paint dept. said he thought the Acetone would evaporate too fast, if I poured it onto a rag to apply it. Then, the Walmart guy said he thought "Goop-Off" would work better than either the Acetone or the Lacquer Thinner.

Note that neither the Acetone or Lacqer Paint Thinner, nor the Goop-off specifically lists caulking/silicone caulking removal on their label of specified uses.

Walmart also sells another solvent/remover product, I think its the same stuff ACE hardware sells, supposed to remove caulking (per the label), but it is about 3x expensive for a much smaller amount.

Overwhelmed by too many options, I didn't buy any of them...Came home...Still thinking about it...

AL in Asheville

[bobhenry]

acetone or MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) can be mixed with mineral oil or naptha ( charcoal starter) to slow the evaporation. MEK will get you as high as a kite so be sure and use it in a very well ventilated area.