A lot of internet searches are "What can I use as a polyurethane sealant remover?" This is due to the widespread use of such sealant in everyday life and in production. He has a set of unique qualities for which he is deservedly appreciated. But, along with this, the sealant has one significant drawback - it is very difficult to remove the old polymerized layer. The reason is the sealant’s unusually high ability to adhere to any material and resistance to aggressive liquids. This leads a large circle of users to the question “What should we do to remove highly resistant material that has become unnecessary?” Only a special polyurethane sealant remover can handle this task.
Self-vulcanizing polyurethane sealant is a composition based on rubbers from the class of polysulfide polymers (thiokols), used in the form of a paste or viscous mixture for the purpose of sealing seams, sealing cavities, and filling various kinds of cracks and cracks. It was invented by German scientists in the first half of the 20th century, and since then has conquered the world with its effectiveness. When used correctly, after complete crystallization, the composition becomes especially resistant to mechanical stress (punctures, scratches), to the action of solvents and other chemical liquids.
Polyurethane sealant can serve for a very long time - up to 50 years, but sooner or later, there comes a time when it is necessary to dismantle the old layer due to repairs or for another reason. It is then that the understanding comes that for ideal sealing properties, for stickiness, plasticity and strength, which have no analogues, it is necessary to pay with unsuccessful attempts to remove unnecessary mass, which has actually turned into a kind of stone. And, most often, it is not possible to do this without damaging the part or the surface being cleaned.
What are the means
Naturally occurring means for cleaning silicone residues are divided into:
- by method of application (mechanical and chemical):
- by composition.
All solutions, in turn, are divided into neutral, acidic and alkaline. Their specific type is “tied” to the active substance of the silicone sealant. This is an alkali or acid (the characteristic smell of vinegar), as well as another component (neutral). There are also universal solvents, but more on them later. And it’s easy to determine the type of silicone by looking at its label.
Alkaline
This group of products is effective against alkaline-based silicone compounds containing amines. If the composition of the sealant is unknown, then to successfully complete the procedure it is recommended to use universal solvents.
Acidic
You can try to wash fresh, not completely cured acidic silicone sealant using ordinary vinegar essence. It is recommended to use a combination of solvents and a mechanical tool (knife or scraper).
Neutral
When the sealing compound used is neither acidic nor alkaline, being neutral in chemical reaction, the appropriate composition is used. One of the solvents that will be effective is acetone, gasoline, or white spirit. All of them are easy to find in hardware stores.
How to remove dried sealant? (+video)
Dried sealant is much more difficult to remove than with a fresh stain. But there is still a solution, and there are two options: you can use specialized purchased products, or you can use traditional methods.
- White spirit and other solvents.
- Using a remover for polyurethane foam.
- Specialized products for removing complex stains.
- vinegar essence;
- alcohol and alcohol-containing substances;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- vegetable oil.
Traditional methods are less effective than chemicals, but they are safer both for the person doing the cleaning and for the clothes themselves. In addition, traditional methods are cheap and easy to implement compared to the use of chemicals.
Vinegar essence
The best way to remove acid-based sealant stains. You should use 70% vinegar essence. Wet the product generously in vinegar and leave for 25-30 minutes while the vinegar interacts with the sealant.
Next, all that remains is to remove the remaining product with a dry cloth. You just need to carry out such work with gloves and a respirator, or even better with goggles. The thing is that vinegar will emit caustic fumes that are very harmful to humans.
After such work, a pungent odor may remain on clothing, which can be eliminated by using fabric conditioners.
Alcohol
Instead of alcohol, you can use other alcohol-containing substances: vodka, denatured alcohol, any specific types of alcohol. We soak a piece of gauze or cloth in an alcohol-containing product, and then apply it to the area of contamination.
We wait until the silicone begins to roll into lumps, after which we remove them with a brush. To remove the smell of alcohol from clothes, simply wash them once.
White spirit and other solvents
In addition to white spirit, ordinary acetone has a good effect. We soak a piece of clean cloth in solvents that matches the size of the stained area on the clothing, and then apply the cloth to the stain.
If after cleaning it was not possible to completely remove the stain, which often happens on jeans or woolen clothes, all that remains is to hide the remaining stain with a pattern, patch or pocket
On top of the cloth we apply 4-5 layers of plain paper (newspaper or notebook sheets, paper sheets for the printer are suitable). The entire resulting structure must be ironed on top with an iron, the temperature of which is selected depending on the type of fabric (see the label on the clothing).
After this, all that remains is to thoroughly wash the clothes (by hand or in a machine) and the remaining sealant will be removed.
Hydrogen peroxide
Only 98% hydrogen peroxide is suitable, which is usually not used at home and you will have to spend money on it. Apply peroxide to a clean gauze or cloth and carefully wipe the stained area with it.
We wait for the end of the chemical reactions of the peroxide (foaming should occur), after which we wipe off the sealant with warm water. All that remains is to thoroughly wash the clothes by hand or in a machine using laundry soap.
Remover for polyurethane foam
One of the best ways to remove sealant stains, applicable even on light-colored clothing. Apply the polyurethane foam remover to the sealant stain, wait a little (until foaming ends), and then remove the sealant particles with any sharp object.
If you did everything correctly, the sealant will transform into a thin film, which will be very easy to remove with improvised means. If something goes wrong, wash the clothes manually and repeat the procedure, but more carefully.
Special means
There are special household chemicals designed to remove such serious types of stains. The most popular products are Penta 840 and Antisil. They must be used in strict accordance with the instructions for use included with the medications.
Before carrying out full-scale work, treat a small area of clothing with the product to find out whether it is harmful to such material. If the area becomes discolored or deformed, use other methods, otherwise you will permanently damage the clothing.
Vegetable oil
Soak a cotton pad or turunda thoroughly with vegetable oil, and then wipe the stained area with it. Afterwards, you need to thoroughly wash your clothes in hot water, using any washing powder (but it is advisable to use powder for removing grease stains).
Sunflower oil
It is not suitable for all types of sealants, but it usually works well with silicone. Take regular vegetable oil and heat it a little in a saucepan. You don’t need to use a lot of oil, about 50-100 grams is enough. Don't heat the oil too hot or you will burn your hands. After heating, apply the oil to your hands.
Oil alone will not remove the sealant. You need to add a little washing powder. You can completely wash your hands with it or just wipe off areas with sealant stains. The latter option is more preferable, since modern powders are very caustic. After traces of contaminants have disappeared, you should thoroughly wash your hands with running water.
Review of professional products
If other methods prove ineffective, professionally used products come to the rescue. They will clean surfaces of silicone residues with a guaranteed high result.
Penta-840
Refers to powerful means, washes, which make it equally easy to cope with the consequences of unsuccessful sealing, dissolve silicone residues, and renew seals. Works with any type of surface. It is first recommended to verify the effect of Penta by applying a small amount of the product to the silicone compound.
Quilosa Limpiador
Composition in an aerosol can. Designed for processing (cleaning) tools and equipment after contact with silicone mixtures, removing fresh and hardened sealant. The product is convenient to apply by spraying it over the surface to be treated.
Advantages of the composition
Polyurethane sealant is an elastic, adhesive emulsion with high elasticity. It can be used on absolutely different surfaces - metal, plastic, wood, tiles, etc. The main positive aspects of the product include:
- strong and tight connection;
- the composition is not subject to cracking;
- possibility of repair and restoration;
- does not corrode;
- quick drying and hardening;
- the ability to maintain the created shape, which allows you to apply the mass on inclined surfaces;
- maintaining original characteristics for a long time.
The difference between silicone and acrylic sealant
Among the two types of sealants used (silicone, acrylic) there are different characteristic properties:
- Acidic silicone sealants are not used for sealing metals, natural stone, materials containing cement, as they are capable of reacting. Acrylic compounds are universal and do not harm different materials.
- Post-processing. The dried acrylic layer can be processed and applied with a paint layer. What can't you do with silicone material? Transparent silicone turns yellow over time.
- Acrylic compounds can withstand strong vibration, while silicone ones provide a barrier against the penetration of moisture, noise, and odor.
The most reliable way to remove silicone and acrylic sealant from various planes is to combine mechanical and chemical methods.
From the bath
To remove the old seam between the wall and the bathroom, you need to prepare a sharp knife, salt, a washcloth, and a solvent.
If the marks are fresh, then vinegar will help wash off the silicone sealant. Once the stain has hardened, apply vinegar overnight.
When using an acrylic surface, care should be taken as it is more susceptible to mechanical damage. For cleaning, a wooden or plastic scraper is used and the products are applied for no more than 15 minutes.
How to remove
The silicone-based sealant composition has the highest degree of adhesion to any materials. Its hardening at room temperature occurs very quickly. Due to the fact that silicone interacts very poorly with various solvents and chemical compounds, it is quite difficult to clean it; here you will need to use special means to remove the sealant. However, even their use does not always bring positive results, because the process of removing the adhesive composition can be performed differently in each case. You should always keep this in mind before cleaning silicone sealant, otherwise you may damage the material.
Silicone based sealant
There are several ways you can remove silicone residue. More often, sharp objects are used for this purpose, which are used to scrape off the glue; this can be a screwdriver, a knife, etc. But this method has one big disadvantage: after such exposure, the external attractiveness of the treated surface deteriorates. Therefore, it is reasonable to use this method only in cases where the appearance of the material being processed is not important.
There is another method that allows you to remove silicone sealant, this is the use of simple salt. This product is in every home. To do this, you need to lightly moisten the salt with water, then put it on a clean cloth; it is better to take gauze and place three swabs on the place where the contamination from the adhesive composition has formed.
When wiping, there is no need to apply a lot of force, and the movements should be circular. After the cleaning process is completed, greasy stains will remain on the surface; they can be removed using a simple dishwashing detergent.
Using regular salt
There are other ways to clean up glue residue - a chemical remover for silicone sealant. Many of these products allow you to quickly and efficiently remove excess adhesive from surfaces. For example, with the help of white spirit you can quickly remove glue residues from an acrylic bathtub, tiles, plastic and other surfaces.
However, this product cannot be used on surfaces that are painted. It is easy to use such a preparation; we wet the swab and then wipe it over the place where the sealant is applied. Then we wait about forty seconds, then remove the remaining softened silicone from the surface using a sharp knife or blade.
However, a greasy stain remains in the place where the adhesive was; it can be removed using the same solvent, moisten a cloth and wipe the surface. In the case where the glue was applied not so long ago and has not yet had time to be completely absorbed and hardened, it can be removed with acetone or ordinary table vinegar.
Considering the sharp, specific smell of such products, you need to take care of good ventilation in the room; a respiratory mask would also be useful, because acetone can cause an allergic reaction.
Currently, on store shelves you can see various products that allow you to soften and wash off silicone-based sealant. They allow you to remove glue from various surfaces, but when choosing them you need to carefully read the instructions so that later use does not cause damage to the surface being treated. The most commonly used means are:
- Lugato and Penta 840.
- Dow Corning OS-2 and Antisi.
- Gasket Remover and Quilosa.
Advantages of the composition
Polyurethane sealant is an elastic, adhesive emulsion with high elasticity. It can be used on absolutely different surfaces - metal, plastic, wood, tiles, etc. The main positive aspects of the product include:
- strong and tight connection;
- the composition is not subject to cracking;
- possibility of repair and restoration;
- does not corrode;
- quick drying and hardening;
- the ability to maintain the created shape, which allows you to apply the mass on inclined surfaces;
- maintaining original characteristics for a long time.
Cleaning other surfaces
Silicone caulk is often used in the kitchen when installing countertops.
Solvents can be used to remove such material. Silicone often contains petroleum products, so gasoline is suitable for this purpose. Apply the liquid product with a soft cloth and leave for 30 minutes. After half an hour, you can scrape off the layer with a scraper, spatula or spatula. If the layer is hardened and old, it is much more difficult to remove. To do this, you will have to use a knife to cut off the top part. Then a solvent is used. Finally, you need to wash off the marks with a detergent that can dissolve grease.
When working with silicone, it often remains on clothing. Chemicals are not suitable for removal as they can damage the fabric. It is advisable to test the solvent by soaking a piece of cloth in the liquid. If it is suitable, then you need to apply the product to the contaminated area and leave for 20-40 minutes, then carefully clean it with a brush and wash the item.
If solvents cannot be used to remove sealant from clothing, then you can use two simple methods:
- Place the soiled clothes in the freezer for 2-3 hours, then remove them and remove traces of silicone with a scraper;
- Treat the stain with hydrogen peroxide, applying it until it disappears completely.
After any cleaning work, clothes must be washed so that no traces of grease remain.
Silicone also remains on your hands when you work with it without gloves. Fresh sealant is easier to remove using a regular bag. It will easily stick to the polyethylene and can be torn off along with the bag.
Table salt is often used for these purposes. You need to take 2-3 tbsp. spoons of salt and dissolve in 250 ml of water. You should put your hands in the liquid and hold it there for about 15 minutes, and then use a brush to wipe off the remaining sealant from the skin.
Warmed vegetable oil is also suitable for removal. It is applied to the skin and wait for the reaction with the silicone to occur. After this, you can simply wash your hands using soap, gel or scrub. You need to be careful with heated oil to avoid getting burned.
Simple measures will help you avoid problems with removing sealant stains. Gloves must be used during operation. Fresh drops should be removed immediately, because they can be easily removed. When sealing seams, it is good to use masking tape, then they will turn out smooth and without traces of silicone. Builders recommend not throwing away the cap from the can, but saving it so that later, if necessary, you can select the right solvent.
We use the freezer
Since the polyurethane composition has good contact with fabrics, washing off foam from clothing with water and soap solution will be ineffective. If there are foam splashes left on things, you should use the freezing method. To do this, clothes with traces of sealant are placed in a plastic bag and left in the freezer for 60 minutes. Take out the bag and remove the frozen remains of the sealant from the fabric.
How to remove polyurethane foam from clothes, if there are stains left, remove them with a stain remover. After treatment, clothes need to be washed; you can use a product for delicate fabrics. The stain remover effectively removes marks from clothing, but it is better to check the reaction of the fabric to the composition used in an inconspicuous place.
From the sides of the bath
This takes into account the material from which the bath is made. It can be acrylic, cast iron, steel. Acrylic bathtubs require special treatment. To clean silicones, you must use only factory-made solvents that are marked with permission to use on such bathtubs.
Steel and cast iron bathtubs are less capricious and can be easily removed from the sealant using abrasive materials and chemicals. But you can’t be overzealous here either - there is a risk of scratches.
Instructions for cleaning steel and cast iron bathtubs mechanically:
- using a blade or a special knife, cut off as much of the top layer of sealant as possible;
- the residues are scraped off with a plastic spatula or steel wool;
- pumice or sandpaper with small grains will help get rid of marks.
After the manipulations done, greasy stains often remain. They can be easily removed with a slab cleaner. You can use baking soda, but it will take longer to clean.
For the chemical method, a solvent is used, which is applied to the sealant seam. After a day, such a strip can be easily removed using a spatula or wooden spatula. The fatty layer is removed with alcohol-containing liquids.
There is another way to remove silicone between the bathtub and the wall. To do this, you need to arm yourself with a screwdriver or scissors. You should start from the edge of the bathtub. In this place, use the sharp edge of the tool to pick up the sealant. Next, without sudden movements, pull it around the perimeter.
If there are any remaining areas of silicone, you can cut them off with a knife and then work with pumice.
Linoleum
An important advantage of linoleum is its water resistance, so the floor covering does not absorb liquids. The easiest way to remove polyurethane foam from linoleum is to let the composition harden. Polyurethane cannot penetrate deeply into the structure of the floor covering. After hardening, you can clean the mounting foam from linoleum as follows:
- Carefully cut off the top mass with a knife.
- Take nail polish remover without acetone.
- Wipe stains with a soft sponge and rinse.
Another option for removing hardened polyurethane foam from linoleum is treatment with Dimexide. The composition has a gentle effect on the floor covering. Foam cannot be removed with acetone, since matte stains will remain on the linoleum forever.
