Sealant

Even the highest quality silicone sealant in the bathroom deteriorates over time.

Replacing it involves a number of difficulties. The main difficulty is removing the old material.

Read the article about how you can quickly remove old and dried silicone sealant from a bathtub at home without damaging it.

Preparing to remove from the bath

If the sealant is fresh, it will not be difficult to remove it., but to remove the frozen isolate you will have to make an effort, since it adheres tightly to the surface. New sealant cannot be applied to old material.

The choice of cleaning method is influenced by what type of sealant was used to seal the bathroom. Silicone sealants come in 2 types:

1. Acidic. They have a characteristic odor reminiscent of vinegar essence. It contains aggressive components, so when working with it you need to thoroughly ventilate the room.

   This is especially true in the case when its removal will be carried out using a chemical method. Preference should be given to formulations containing acid.

2. Neutral. They have almost no smell and do not contain any caustic substances. Such sealants can be safely removed both chemically and mechanically. They can be removed with acetone and other organic solvents.

Acrylic sealants are easier to clean off than silicone sealants. This material can be pryed off with a utility knife or blade. It also reacts well to solvents such as gasoline, acetone and vinegar.

Another type of sealants is siliconized. They are a combination of acrylic and silicone mixture. Such compositions are moisture resistant and harmless to humans. You can remove them in any way.

When starting to remove the material, it is recommended to seal the bathtub with masking tape. This will protect it from scratches if your hand accidentally falls off. You need to prepare tools and chemical compositions in advance.

How to remove mechanically?

To complete the work you will need the following tools:

• stationery or construction knife;
• blade;
• small spatula;
• tweezers;
• flat screwdriver;
• wooden scrapers;
• pumice.

Procedure:

1. Using a sharp utility knife or blade, you need to make longitudinal and transverse cuts on the sealant where it adheres to the bathtub. They should be long.
2. The cut edges are picked up with tweezers and pulled towards you. It is important not to overdo it here. With the right approach, the silicone will come off in thin, long strips.
3. Residues and torn parts of silicone are removed using a wooden scraper or spatula.
4. If some of the material gets into narrow joints, it is removed from there with tweezers or tongs.

There are no difficulties if the silicone layer is dense. It is more difficult to deal with a thin layer of sealant.For high-quality and safe cleaning, use fine-grained sandpaper, the hard side of a dishwashing sponge, or pumice.

How to remove old and dried out ones using improvised means?

You can remove silicone sealant from the surface of the bathtub using improvised means. The most accessible and effective of them are:

• Galosh gasoline, white spirit;
• vinegar;
• alcohol.

Rules for using gasoline or white spirit:

1. Apply solvent to a rag or sponge.
2. Use it to walk over the surface that needs treatment.
3. Leave for 10 minutes to take effect.
4. Remove the softened sealant with a scraper.

Vinegar is best used to remove acidic silicone sealants. How to use it:

1. Put gloves on your hands.
2. Moisten a sponge with essence.
3. Use it to treat the desired area.
4. Leave for 5-10 minutes.
5. Remove the softened mass with a spatula.

If necessary, repeat the procedure again. You need to be prepared for the fact that during work there will be a strong acidic smell in the bathtub.

You can deal with silicone sealant using technical alcohol or ethanol. Procedure:

1. Soak a clean rag in alcohol.
2. Blot the silicone sealant with it.
3. Leave for 15 minutes to take effect. If the alcohol wears off, it must be reapplied.
4. Remove the composition with a wooden or metal spatula.

Using the listed products, you should try not to get on the surface of the bath itself.If a small amount of alcohol or solvent ends up on the enamel layer or acrylic, it must be removed with clean water.

How to scrub with specialized compounds?

There are commercially available chemicals that allow you to quickly and safely remove the sealant from your bathtub. Top 3 effective compositions:

1. Cleaner HG silicone sealant remover. It can be applied to different types of surfaces. The composition is intended for use in rooms with high levels of humidity. The set includes a brush and spatula for comfortable and safe work. One package is enough to treat an area of ​​10-15 square meters. Price – 750 rubles.
2. Silicone cleaner Tytan Professional. The paste is in a convenient cartridge and is squeezed out of the spout. It can be used for different types of surfaces, to clean fresh and hardened sealant. Price – 480 rubles.
3. Silicone cleaner TKK APURSIL. The product can be used to remove sealant from bathtubs, showers, hoods, and tiles. It quickly and effectively dissolves not only silicone, but also polyurethane foam. Available in spray form. Price – 255 rubles.

How to remove a fresh one?

Silicone sealant hardens within 20 minutes. If you manage to remove it during this time, then you don’t have to resort to using strong agents.

Removal instructions:

• pry off the silicone sealant with a wooden spatula and clean it off the surface;
• remove the mixture that has clogged up in the cracks with a screwdriver;
• if the sealant begins to harden, it is treated with vinegar, and the softened stains are wiped off with a paper napkin.

A hairdryer can easily remove small fresh stains. It is turned on at low power and a warm stream of air is directed at the sealant.After a minute it will soften and can be easily peeled off the surface.

Features of cleaning different types of bathtubs

Recommendations for removing silicone from acrylic, enameled, cast iron and steel bathtubs:

1. When working with acrylic baths, do not use abrasive compounds, metal scrapers, knives, or blades. The choice should be made on wooden spatulas. Acrylic does not tolerate contact with acetone, alcohol, benzene and gasoline.
2. Sealant can be removed from cast iron and steel bathtubs using chemicals and rough tools. However, it is necessary to control the force of pressure exerted on the surface.
3. Enameled bathtubs should be handled with care and without any physical effort. Do not allow the instrument to fall into the bath so that it does not become chipped.

He will tell you how to remove sealant from the surface of an acrylic bathtub. this publication.

The nuances of cleaning tiles

The sealant can be removed from the tiles using the same compounds as for the bathtub. Preference should be given to chemicals that do not contain aggressive components. Gasoline, alcohol and vinegar cope well with this task.

It is not recommended to use metal tools. They can cause chips and scratches on the tile surface.

For more information on how to remove silicone sealant from tiles, see this articles.

Helpful information

Tips for removing caulk from a bathtub:

1. Before you begin removing sealant using chemicals, you need to test them on an inconspicuous area.If the coating does not change its properties, you can start cleaning.
2. When working with chemicals, you should not forget about your own safety measures. Hands must be protected with gloves. If aerosol cans are used, wear construction goggles over the eyes and a respirator over the respiratory system.
3. Immediately after removing the sealant, the treated surface should be rinsed with clean water. If the remover remains on an enamel or acrylic bath for a long time, it will lead to corrosion.

Conclusion

Removing silicone sealant from a bathtub is not difficult if you choose the right product. These can be either professional cleaners or improvised compounds. The best results can be achieved by combining mechanical and chemical methods.