Silicone-based sealant is popular and serves as a means of sealing seam areas. And it is often used in the bathroom, where it is necessary to use moisture-repellent compounds to protect the surface from the harmful effects of water. But over time, the sealing layers also wear out, turn black, do not lie evenly on the surface, and fall off. All these reasons are a signal to remove the old layer, which is no longer suitable and has ceased to fulfill its purpose. To cleanse correctly, you need to understand what methods exist. For this purpose, you can use different means; possible options will be discussed in detail below.
Possible cleaning methods
In order not to worry about how to wash silicone sealant, it is recommended to remove excess material before it dries. The “fresh” (not hardened) mixture can be easily washed off with a regular sponge. The use of rags is allowed.
Once the silicone hardens, it is quite difficult to remove. This is especially true for embossed materials (various types of tiles). If the technology has not been violated, silicone sealant adheres to them very strongly.
If you plan to reapply the mixture to the surface, it is important to pay a lot of attention to removing the existing layer. This necessity is explained by the lack of adhesion between silicone molecules, which have already undergone polymerization and have just begun this process.
It is also important to thoroughly clean the surface of any silicone that has gone beyond the permissible limits during application. Even transparent material becomes dirty and dark during use, which disrupts the appearance of finishes, plumbing fixtures and other products.
Silicone affected by mold Source ytimg.com
Mechanical methods
Before removing silicone sealant, the surface should be mechanically treated. They are trying to get rid of as much material as possible. Mechanical cleaning is carried out using any devices. It is desirable that they be sharp and thin. The most suitable tools are:
- Metal spatula . It copes well with removing contaminants on non-relief surfaces formed from different materials. An important requirement is that the working edge of the spatula must be smooth. Otherwise, the surface being treated may be scratched.
Metal spatula Source dobrostroy.rf
- Razor blade . Must be used extremely carefully. If used carelessly, there is a risk of injury and leaving scratches on the surface being treated.
- Knife . It is better to use a special wallpaper. Using a knife is convenient for removing large accumulations of hardened mixture.
Wallpaper knife Source prom.st
- Bank card . It is formed from soft plastic, so it is not capable of scratching or damaging the surface. But the card will not cope with serious contamination. It is recommended to use it after using one of the chemicals.
After preliminary rough treatment, it is recommended to continue cleaning using any abrasive. Pumice stone, hard sponge or salt will do. You need to rub it carefully to avoid scratches. For glass or ceramics, it is better to use fine salt.
Salt is suitable for cleaning Source yandex.net
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in paints, protective and finishing materials
Chemical methods
To determine how to clean silicone sealant, you need to know its exact composition. Conventional construction silicone most often has an acid base. This is evidenced by the cloying smell of vinegar. It appears immediately after applying the mixture and remains until it hardens. To clean surfaces from this type of silicone, use concentrated acetic acid 70%.
In addition to acidic, sealants can also have another neutral base:
- Oxide . Can be removed using any solvent or purified gasoline.
- Alcohol . For cleaning, it is recommended to use ethanol (technical, food grade).
- Amide . It is removed in the same way as the oxide mixture.
A variety of chemicals Source avtoelektrik-info.ru
Before choosing how to remove silicone sealant, you need to understand that some materials can only be processed mechanically. This applies to polyurethane mixtures. Once polymerization is complete, this material can only be removed with a very sharp, thin blade. If the polyurethane mixture has not yet completely hardened, try to partially wash it off with a solvent.
When using any silicone sealant remover, you must consider the type of surface being treated. Contact of varnished or painted material with solvents is prohibited. There is also no need to clean glass with gasoline. This will lead to the formation of divorces. It is impossible to get rid of them in the future.
Industrial products
The most popular cleaners:
- H.G. _ The product is suitable for removing stubborn stains. It has a pleasant smell and does not spoil the appearance of the products.
Industrial cleaner Source ozone.ru
- Tytan . Contains acids. The product shows good results on surfaces with depressions. The advantage is the absence of a pungent odor.
- XADO Mottec . The product is made on an alcohol basis. Great for acrylic. After drying, it leaves no traces.
- Soudal . Differs in hydrocarbon base. It is recommended to apply only after complete removal of moisture. It is advisable to test the product before use, as it can leave greasy marks.
How to remove silicone sealant from tiles?
During the renovation process, dirt may appear on the tiles. To clean it, you need to:
- Pass through a grater or divide the laundry soap into small pieces.
- Dilute one tablespoon of soap with 150 ml of hot water, mix the contents thoroughly, and cool.
- Soak a cloth or a soft sponge in the resulting solution and wipe the contaminated areas with it. Rinse off any remaining residue with clean running water.
You can use liquid toilet soap in the same quantity instead of laundry soap.
Methods for cleaning different surfaces
To determine how to remove silicone sealant, you need to try and combine different methods. Specific recommendations depend on the type of coating being treated.
Removing unusable sealant Source prorab.help
Bath
When choosing how to clean the sealant on the bathtub, you can follow the following tips:
- The layer of hardened mixture must be carefully pryed off with a sharp blade.
- Use your hands to try to completely remove the material.
- The surface should be wiped with a damp cloth soaked in salt of minimal grain size.
- If there are traces of the sealing agent left on the bathtub, they can be washed off with vinegar or solvent.
If the silicone-containing substance has not yet hardened, there is no need to perform these manipulations. The mixture that has contaminated the surface of the bath can be easily removed with a solvent.
Removing silicone-containing products from the bathtub Source kak-otteret.ru
Tiles on the wall
To understand how to wash silicone, you need to read the following instructions:
- It is recommended to remove large pieces of silicone using a thin object.
- A washcloth is soaked in a solvent and the dirty tiles are treated. There must be a lot of liquid so that it can be “absorbed” into the hardened mixture.
- After 10 minutes, remaining silicone can be removed with a hard cloth soaked in solvent.
- At the final stage, it is recommended to wash the tiles using a soap solution.
How to remove sealant from plastic?
If your bathroom has a shower tray, the question arises of how to remove the sealant from the plastic. Gentle Dow Corning ® OS-2 is suitable for this purpose. It effectively removes dirt and does not deform the plastic.
Necessary:
- Apply a thick layer of it to the damaged area and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the softened sealant with a wooden spatula or scraper.
- If marks or stains remain, you can gently wipe them with a cloth soaked in a low-fat solution.
If necessary, repeat the procedure.
Briefly about the main thing
It is quite difficult to remove hardened sealant from any surface. Therefore, it is recommended to remove traces of the mixture before completing its polymerization.
Mechanical techniques and various chemicals are used to remove silicone-containing compounds. It is recommended to initially clean the surface with a wallpaper knife or spatula. After removing large pieces of material, you can move on to final cleaning using ethanol, solvents and other substances.
There are industrial products on sale that effectively deal with stains from silicone rubbers. They are used exactly according to the instructions after preliminary testing.
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Features of cleaning bathtubs from silicone
Experts recommend how to remove sealant from a bathtub correctly:
- If sharp objects are used, the blade must be held vertically. This reduces the likelihood of it accidentally slipping and damaging the surface.
- Use tweezers to remove sealant from narrow crevices.
- Clean the surface in two stages. First, remove large pieces of silicone mechanically, then remove remaining contamination using a chemical or folk remedy.
If there is a need to change the insulating composition, first remove the old sealant, then apply a new one. Otherwise, its adhesion to the surface will be weak.
Procedure
Industrial preparations affect the structure of the seal, causing its gradual destruction. Ready-made solutions are sold in construction stores and automotive supply outlets.
There is a single principle for using professional products:
- mechanical cleaning of the area is carried out;
- the drug is applied with a sponge (you need to wear thick rubber gloves);
- At the end of the exposure time, the remaining sealant is removed with a plastic scraper, brush or spatula - the tools are often included with the cleaner.
Industrial formulations often leave behind greasy, yellow-tinged residues. For removal, a soap solution is used - a small amount is applied to the contaminated area, left for 3-5 minutes and washed.
Laundry soap has a similar effect; it is lathered on a sponge and processed. The foam is later washed off, the area is wiped dry, then degreased with acetone or white spirit, and dried with a hairdryer.
How to remove silicone sealant from glass?
The difficult task is how to remove old sealant from glass. For this purpose you need:
- Carefully cut away any thick traces of silicone. It is better to use a wooden scraper.
- Moisten the contaminated areas generously with solvent and leave the solution to soak for 25-30 minutes.
- Wash the surface with soapy foam and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
After these steps, streaks may remain, so it is recommended to treat the areas with a special glass cleaner.
When performing construction work, it is recommended to remove the sealant immediately with a damp cloth or sponge. If it has time to harden, the surface can be cleaned mechanically or using various means.
