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How to remove silicone from gutter joints?

Dear Folk

I am looking for a silicone remover to remove silicone from the gutter joints to replace it with new one and to minimize elbow grease of using a scarper,,,,,, what I found below :

1-WD40 as per below

https://wd40.com.au/how-to/how-to-remove-silicone-sealants

2-Selleys Silicone Remover ,,,,,both websites showing negative review more than positive (Yes not always we can relay on reviews)

https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/selleys-silicone-remover

https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-375g-silicone-remover_p1232412

3-Using heat gun ,,,,,I tried it and it takes time and not convenient with cabled heat gun (portable heat gun not efficient as a battery drains very fast)

4-Solvent Degreaser

https://www.sydneysolvents.com.au/solvent-degreaser-1l

5-Silicone Dissolver

https://chemron.com.au/shop/surface-treatment/silicone-dissolver/

6-Rapidstick Glue & Silicone Remover

https://www.chemtools.com.au/product/our-brands/rapidstick/rapidstick-glue-silicone-remover/

Which one you recommend ?

Thx

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EricL

Hello @zillah

I've found that one of the ways you can remove silicone without waiting for chemical reactions is by using a Trojan Safety Scraper. Simply slide it under the silicone and slowly move forward with a brand-new blade and the silicone will curl up quickly under the sharp scraper. I'm not familiar with all of the silicone removers you've mentioned. WD40 should help with the removal of the silicone sealants.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @zillah

I don't think there are any perfect silicone cleanup solutions out there. Results will vary with different products as you have already discovered.

Some times leaving the chemicals there longer will help or apply in stages as you wipe silicon layers off. Fastest way is to physically remove as much as possible then chemicals can get the last traces faster.

After reading the descriptions of the products you did a great job on researching by the way.

The common instruction is to cut or scrap a lot of the silicon bead first to make the cleaner more effective on the remaining silicon bits that stays attached.

So how do I remove gutter silicon might be the way forward here to guide you.

Physical removal is the quickest and less messy where possible to get at the silicon. In a gutter this isn't easy access and cramped spaces for your hands. In this case use a longer tool to get in there where your hands wont go.

Tips on gutter repairs I think the best way is to use two A frame ladders with a aluminium plank in between will get you up high enough to see your work and safely use tools (single story) to be in a safe comfortable work position. An industrial plank saves a lot of ladders climbing and moving if you have the whole gutter to restore. Avoid ladders with rounded rungs for longer working sessions they hurt to stand on after a while and may make us more distracted up a ladder. Do wear flexible cut proof gloves as those gutters full of sharp metal edges. I explain this in detail as to help other readers too. Ladders leaning on the gutters will flex them in making it extra tight space to work in best to use a ladder with facia stand off and clamping attachment to stop things going sideways fast.

I will cut the silicon with a thin bladed utility knife. down the longest edge where possible then peal it off in long strips. I also cut into gaps both sides.

This will leave bits of silicon behind. I like using a metal dish washing sourer as it doesn't clog up too fast and it doesn't hurt powder coated metal gutters like a wire brush will. If I want an extra silicone free gutter, I will dip the sourer in turps or sometimes petrol. (Petrol has being quite good at jellifying the silicon in the past.) Any remaining silicon in the corners or joins I use a small flat bladed screwdriver and run it along the edge or into gaps as a scraper. This will leave a cleaner residue that must be now cleaned before re siliconing.

Now if you wanting to reapply fresh silicone wash down the area you just cleaned with methylated spirits on a clean rag to help remove your dissolving chemicals. The methylated residual will evaporate quickly by itself.

If you are in a comfortable work position the extra time silicon removal takes is much less of a chore

zillah

Hello @Eric

Thank you for your help

zillah

Hello @Jewelleryrescue

Appreciate the informative details

Nailbag

Hi @zillah

I have to perform this job on a fairly regular occasion and I tend to only use a more mechanical approach than a chemical based one. And as @Jewelleryrescue mentioned it's the fastest approach, which is what I am always after.

I use a Stanley style knife to make "V-groove" style cuts along all the joins, the uses a scraper to round along the bottom of each edge. Once the bulk of the silicone has been removed I use small toothbrush style wire-brush to clean off whats remaining. I might then use a light spray of WD-40 to get into spots around pop rivets and let it sit for a few minutes while I clean another area such as what @EricL suggested. Before you can apply new silicon, the area will need to be wiped clean of any oils etc.

All my bladed tools use the same replacement blades, which I just buy the cheap 10 packs of as they ar e just as sharp and damage just as easily as the expensive brands. I essentially treat them as disposable items.

Nailbag

zillah

Thank you Nailbag for the advice and sharing your experience

Jewelleryrescue

hi @zillah

Dont forget to clean the wd40, petrol or anything and other solvents off the surface of the gutter with a clean cloth and metho spirits other wise the new silicone wont have a snow balls chance of sticking. Plus any of those gutter solvents will wash directly to the ocean . I would like to avoid that.

Others might suggest what they use to degrease/ clean the gutters ready for re application metho spririts is the best i can manage. Or absolute alchohol is the same idea.

zillah

Thanks @Jewelleryrescue for the advice I will consider everything you mentioned

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