Hey everyone! I've been tackling a project to replace the old silicone caulk in my shower, but I'm really struggling to get it all out cleanly. The silicone is about ten years old, so it's super adhesive and hard to remove. I've tried using WD40 and 70% isopropyl alcohol without much success. Does anyone have any tried-and-true methods or tools that can help?
3 Answers
Denatured alcohol paired with a razor blade is your best bet for getting that old silicone off. Just be careful when you're scraping, especially if you have delicate surfaces. A plastic scraper can help too—you won’t risk scratching the tub that way!
Are you using a dedicated tool for this? The Husky scraper tool works wonders. I had the same problem with stubborn silicone; I managed to break it down slice by slice, but you might still end up with some residue. At least it's better than relying only on solvents!
I actually had two issues—getting the residues off was tricky. If it's stuck on vertical surfaces, just keep at it with that scraper and try to chip away the pieces instead of pulling aggressively.
I used a caulk finishing set that really helped me! Especially the pointed tool for the corners where the silicone can really stick. It’s plastic, so it won't mess up your walls or surfaces. You should definitely check it out!
Totally agree! Using a utility knife blade and changing it out regularly made a big difference for me. I’ve done my fair share of showers too!