Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

SSSuper83

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 23, 2010
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132
I removed my swim platform and I am changing to a smaller teak unit. There is a TON of old silicone left on the transom and I need to get it cleaned off..whats the best way to remove it without damaging the gelcoat?
 

Home Cookin'

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May 26, 2009
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Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

scrape with a plastic scraper then use acetone
 

SSSuper83

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 23, 2010
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132
Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

Acetone I assume works better than laquer thinner?? Laquer thinner softens it but doesnt remove it...
 

arks

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Nov 7, 2002
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Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

Denatured alcohol.
 

foodfisher

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Feb 18, 2009
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Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

Denatured alcohol.

+1 Scrape it down real thin. Then rubbing with the alcohol on a rag will cause it to ball up and fall off.
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

Acetone and alchohol are about the same in this application, but thinners can sometimes leave an oily residue.
 

wca_tim

Lieutenant Commander
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May 28, 2007
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1,708
Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

there are a couple of debonding products that work very well for taking silicone and even 4200 / 5300 off gelcoat. they're expensive, but work...
 

dan t.

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Feb 28, 2008
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1,131
Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

soak with varsol, scrape off, then a final wipe down with brakeclean
 
Last edited:

jkust

Rear Admiral
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Aug 2, 2008
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4,942
Re: Best way to remove silicone from gelcoat without damaging it??

They sell silicone remover at any home improvement store. It it like 3 dollars and looks like a tube of elmers glue. I use it on my shower every few years when I recaulk. They also have very effective plastic silicone scrapers. Of course the fiberglass is a little different between a tub and boat so you'd have to test it on a spot first. I'd try that first since it is so effective and cheap. I wouldn't hesitate to try it on my Chaparral if I had a reason.
 
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