Clean old silicone / sikaflex

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 13:37

Has anyone got any advice on removing old silicone / sikaflex from a hull? I attempted peeling it, and cutting but its a painful task.

When I first bought the Ballistic I put some rubber matting in my anchor locker to try and stop damage from when the anchor is bouncing about – and this was stuck down with silicone as this is all I had

I have since changed my mind as I don't like the idea that damage could happen and I wouldn't know about it - as its all covered up, so I have removed the rubber matting and now I am left with the rubbish stuck to the hull, I want to remove all this and clean it out before putting some removable mats in place and some tubing to hold the anchor..

Wightdiver · 29 January 2014, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Has anyone got any advice on removing old silicone / sikaflex from a hull? I attempted peeling it, and cutting but its a painful task.

When I first bought the Ballistic I put some rubber matting in my anchor locker to try and stop damage from when the anchor is bouncing about – and this was stuck down with silicone as this is all I had

I have since changed my mind as I don't like the idea that damage could happen and I wouldn't know about it - as its all covered up, so I have removed the rubber matting and now I am left with the rubbish stuck to the hull, I want to remove all this and clean it out before putting some removable mats in place and some tubing to hold the anchor..

If it is silicone then you can get a remover from B&Q/Screwfix, if it is sikaflex my only suggestion would be dynamite.

Andy

steco1958 · 29 January 2014, 13:42

Sikaflex, I use White Spirit to remove it, however it is always an amount of hard work.

Steve

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 13:53

I think most is silicone tbh as I don't think I had sika at the time. If I got a remover from B&Q/Screwfix - I take it that this will be a solution/gel - will it damage the hull?

Ribandmotorhome · 29 January 2014, 13:56

Big wipes!! Use them all the time when re siliconing baths etc.
Yellow tub red top in B&Q. City plumbing suppliers etc.

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 14:23

Big wipes? even if its all dry and been on 18 months?

Ribandmotorhome · 29 January 2014, 14:28

A lot of wiping and rubbing but the liquid in them does seem to loosen it up.
On baths, tiles etc that is

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 14:38

I am just more worried about causing damage to the hull by using strange and wonderful solutions, I think a blade and a lot of manual labour with a little solution will be my only option..

Ribandmotorhome · 29 January 2014, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I am just more worried about causing damage to the hull by using strange and wonderful solutions, I think a blade and a lot of manual labour with a little solution will be my only option..

Just spent 2 hours doing the same today. Doh!

Wightdiver · 29 January 2014, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I think most is silicone tbh as I don't think I had sika at the time. If I got a remover from B&Q/Screwfix - I take it that this will be a solution/gel - will it damage the hull?

Hi Steve

Yes it is a liquid that you paint on, softens and makes the silicone a bit jelly like. I used it on my deck and transom in a small area with no problems but please do not take that as any form of guarantee.

Good luck

Andy

jyasaki · 29 January 2014, 15:54

Anti-bond is recommended for 3M 5200; isn't Sika's marine adhesive roughly the same (polyurethane adhesive)?

jky

Nos4r2 · 29 January 2014, 18:22

Screwfix's No Nonsense sealant remover softens it. Rubbing with Acetone or MEK will removes Sikaflex, but it takes a bit of doing. Wear appropriate gloves!

Did lots of sealant removal during my Ballistic refurb.

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 18:23

Cheers NOS. No risk of damaging the boat?

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

bliksem · 29 January 2014, 18:28

I would use Benzeen. theu use it to remove excessive glue when tubing!!!
very powerful and really the main ingredient of all the softeners the sell in shops
I hope this is of good use for you!!

Nos4r2 · 29 January 2014, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Cheers NOS. No risk of damaging the boat?

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Acetone or MEK will clean the GRP beautifully. Try not to slosh gallons onto the tubes-though a wipe with MEK on a clean rag will do wonders for their appearance.

The No Nonsense sealant remover needs enough on there to keep it wet so apply it quite liberally. It won't damage anything and it smells quite nice.

Don't use Benzene, it's bloody awful and carcinogenic. Not even sure if you can buy it here. MEK and Acetone are quite cheap by the gallon on ebay.

SteveHall · 29 January 2014, 19:06

Cheers mate, Luck would have it that I am off to screw fix tomorrow, so looks like I will have a fun weekend

bliksem · 29 January 2014, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by nos4r2

acetone or mek will clean the grp beautifully. Try not to slosh gallons onto the tubes-though a wipe with mek on a clean rag will do wonders for their appearance.

The no nonsense sealant remover needs enough on there to keep it wet so apply it quite liberally. It won't damage anything and it smells quite nice.

Don't use benzene, it's bloody awful and carcinogenic. Not even sure if you can buy it here. Mek and acetone are quite cheap by the gallon on ebay.

a thousand times my apologies gents

it is not benzene but toluene ofcorz!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes you can buy that
and this is used to clean up the excess glue for the tubing of our ribs

bliksem · 29 January 2014, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Acetone or MEK will clean the GRP beautifully. Try not to slosh gallons onto the tubes-though a wipe with MEK on a clean rag will do wonders for their appearance.

The No Nonsense sealant remover needs enough on there to keep it wet so apply it quite liberally. It won't damage anything and it smells quite nice.

Don't use Benzene, it's bloody awful and carcinogenic. Not even sure if you can buy it here. MEK and Acetone are quite cheap by the gallon on ebay.

A MILLION TIMES MY APOLOGIES
not benzeen BUT TOLUENE
AND YE YOU CAN BUY THAT
AND IT IS CHEAP AND VERY EFFECTIVE AND USED TO CLEAN UP THE EXCESS GLUE ON THE TUBING FOR OUR RIBS

Nos4r2 · 29 January 2014, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Cheers mate, Luck would have it that I am off to screw fix tomorrow, so looks like I will have a fun weekend

Wait til you try and get the sealant out of the moulded deck....

It took me days!

SteveHall · 05 February 2014, 20:39

Seems it's sika

it's going to be a right pain to remove! I regret sticking it on now...