Help disolve Silicone from Tub

Rmelo99 · Apr 13, 2008

I have a cast iron clawfoot tub that I am reusing in my bath remodel. The enamel on the inside of the tub is in great shape.

The problem is at some point someone added a shower to the tub but they did a hack job that consisted of a 2x4 framed wall that was siliconed to the top lip of the tub.

I now need to disolve gobbs and gobbs of silicone from the tub lip without damaging the enamel.

Any help?

Master Plumber Mark · Apr 13, 2008

use a razor knife

go out and get one of those tools that holds a razor blade

and they it use to clean paint off clear glasswindows panes.....

its aboutthe best way to get the majority of that crap off the tub, it will cut through it like butter....

then usually just plain laquer thinner or paint thinner
will take of f the very fine stuff that will be left...

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

hj · Apr 14, 2008

tub

The enamel is extremely tough stuff as long as you do not use acid or scratch it.

SuperDaddy · Apr 17, 2008

Also, sometimes the real thin areas can just be rubbed off with your fingers. Start rolling your fingertip over top of the film and it should lift and peel up off of the tub.

Rmelo99 · Apr 24, 2008

All off! I bought some laquer thinner and a small bottle of silicone disolver at the Big Orange Store.

I have a nice shiny tub that looks like new. Found out the tub is a Kohler.

TorontoTim · Apr 24, 2008

How did the silicone remover work out for you? Was it DAP Silicone-be-Gone? I picked up a bottle to clean up a bit of excess silicone from my fiberglass Kohler shower, but haven't used it yet.

BTW - I for one would love to see pics of that shower contraption if you have any!

Rmelo99 · Apr 25, 2008

I'll look at the bottle later on an report back, here is a pic. I'll try and find a better one.

Rmelo99 · Apr 25, 2008

Here is post silicone removal...i will follow up with more after pics.

Rmelo99 · Apr 27, 2008

Just wanted to post back the name of the product I used was Mostenbockers Lift-Off 411-45

http://www.shop.com/Motsenbocker_Lift_Off_411_45_4_5OZ_Sealant_Remover_-11142530-o!.shtml?trk=1

Verdeboy · Apr 27, 2008

I'm glad it worked out okay.

I've found that a 5 in 1 scraper/glazier knife works best for scraping old caulk. Razor knifes tend to dig in and can scratch the finish.The blades also break fairly quickly when the caulk is hard.

Rmelo99 · Apr 27, 2008

That was the scraper I used in my removal. I tried using the razor blade but ended up creating little nicks in the enamel since it is so sharp.

When it gets to the final small amounts a scouring 3m green/yellow type of sponge finished off the job.

Help disolve Silicone from Tub

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