How To Remove Waterproof Silicone? [Procedure, Time & Cost]

Waterproof silicone is the best and the most versatile sealant that exists. It has a firm adhesion and can prevent water from compromising the durability of wood, drywall, etc. It is extensively used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry, or any place at risk of water damage.

But its good adhesion becomes our number one problem creator when you want to remove waterproof silicone from any surface.

There could be a number of instances when you will need to remove silicone, such as when you get silicone on unwanted surfaces, or there is a worn-out silicone that you would like to replace with a new and sturdy layer of sealant.

No matter your reason for removing waterproof silicone, it is agonizing to remove. But there are several ways to remove it almost effortlessly. Want to know more about such methods? Read on!

How To Remove Waterproof Silicone?

To remove waterproof silicone from any surface, you must soften or loosen its grip. This is the fundamental on which all the methods are based. The only difference in the ways is the product used for loosening the adhesive. 

There is no one ideal way to do so because every method is meant for certain types of surfaces. Hence, to really pick what method works best, you need to consider the surface from which you will remove the sealant.

4 Effective ways to remove waterproof Silicone

1. Using Mineral Spirits
2. Using Isopropyl alcohol
3. Using Vinegar
4. Using Silicone caulk remover

1. How To Remove Waterproof Silicone Using Mineral Spirits?

Mineral spirit is a clear liquid obtained from petroleum. It is extensively used as an organic solvent in painting jobs. It is a pretty versatile product with plenty of applications. For instance, you can use it to degrease equipment, clean paint brushes, wipe surfaces, etc.

This substance also works great when you want to remove waterproof silicone from hard surfaces like concrete, bricks, marbles, or tiles. It can easily remove small spots to large chunks of silicone from such surfaces.

Required Items

• Mineral spirits
• Clean cloth
• Scraper
• Plier
• Blow dryer (optional)
• Bleach (optional)
• Wire brush

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Apply mineral spirits

Start by taking a piece of cloth and dampen it with mineral spirit. Now wipe the area where you need to remove the silicone with the fabric. Wipe it several times before proceeding to the next step.

2. Scrape

Now that mineral spirits have started to loosen the silicon, you can remove it using a scraper. While doing so, position the scraper as close to the underlying layers as possible.

Apply enough pressure to remove the silicon. However, too much pressure can cause scratches on the surface. Thus, you have to be mindful of that.

Along with scraping, some silicone can be directly peeled by hand or by using a plier. Continue to scratch or peel silicone until most of it has been removed from the surface.

3. Use heat if necessary

When you find some very stubborn chunks of silicone that are difficult to scrape or peel, heating the surface can help.

Use a blow dryer to apply heat on the silicone for thirty seconds to two minutes. After heating, scrape or peel to remove it.

4. Scrub with a wire brush

By this step of the process, the majority of silicone must have been removed from the surface. Now, it is time to remove the last bit of sealant that your scraper or plier could not remove.

You can use a wire brush dipped in mineral spirits for hard surfaces like concrete to scrub the entire surface. This will remove all the silicone residue from the surface.

5. Remove mold and grime

Mold and grime may have collected around the old waterproof silicone. These are crucial to removing before putting a fresh layer of the sealant as it will affect how the silicone adheres to the surface.

You can remove it by washing the surface with a mixture of ⅓ bleach with one gallon of water. 

6. Wash the surface

Lastly, you need to wash the surface. First, wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits just as you did in the first step. Wipe multiple times till all the sealant is gone. Now, use a wire brush and soapy water to wash the surface thoroughly.

Precautions

• Mineral spirit is safe to use on most surfaces. Still, it is always best to apply it to a small area to check that it does not harm the surface.
• Ensure that the surface is dry before putting a new sealant layer.

Time

The time this method takes dramatically depends on the amount of silicone you want to remove from. However, even the significant portions of silicone will not take more than ten minutes to clear.

Cost

Mineral spirits can cost 80 to 100 USD per 12 quarts. You can get a metallic scraper for 5 to 10 USD and a plier for at least 8 USD. Also, if you do not have a metal brush, you can easily buy one for 4 USD.

2. How To Remove Waterproof Silicone Using Isopropyl Alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol is an extensively used chemical in homes and in industries. In homes, it is popularly referred to as rubbing alcohol and used as an antiseptic, aftershave lotions, and more.

In industries, it is used as a solvent.

Isopropyl alcohol is the more suitable option when you want to remove waterproof silicone from surfaces like plastic and some painted surfaces. This will not cause any discoloration or damage on these surfaces.

However, to remove silicone sealant, you would need industry-grade isopropyl alcohol, as rubbing alcohol is considered too mild for this purpose.

Required Items

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Spray bottle
• Clean cloth
• Scraper
• Scouring pad
• Bleach (optional)

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Spray alcohol on silicone

The best way to apply isopropyl alcohol is by spraying it. Hence, you will need a spray bottle.

Fill in any spray bottle with the chemical and spray multiple times till all the silicone bead is covered.

After spraying, you might want to use a piece of cloth to gently wipe the surface to spread the chemical in all the required places.

2. Scrape or peel

The alcohol would have made the silicone loose which now can be easily scraped off. Place the scraper as close to the underlying layer.

Although, since you may be working on surfaces like plastic or glass, ensure that you do not put too much pressure while scraping as it would lead to abrasions.

Sometimes, before scrapping, many silicone beads can be simply removed by peeling using pliers or pulling by hand. This would be much less painstaking than scraping. Hence, you should scrape after peeling to remove chunks of sealant left behind.

3. Wipe with mineral spirits

To remove tiny bits of silicone or the cloudiness on the surface caused by the sealant, wipe the area with a fabric soaked in mineral spirits.

4. Wash the surface

Finally, a quick but thorough wash will make the surface spotless. Since surfaces like glass and plastic are susceptible to scratches, a wire brush is not a dependable option. Instead, use a scouring pad and soap water.

To kill mold and mildew growth on the surface, dissolve ⅓ bleach in a gallon of water and wash using this mixture.

Precautions

• Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable. Hence, ensure that you do not have a source of fire nearby.
• This chemical has a powerful odor. If you are not comfortable with its odor, consider wearing a face mask while handling the chemical.
• Before putting a fresh silicone layer, ensure that the surface is dried.

Time

With the assistance of isopropyl alcohol, waterproof silicone sealant can be cleaned from smooth surfaces like glass, plastic, or more within ten minutes.

Cost

The price range of pure isopropyl alcohol is 0.4 to 0.8 USD per Fl Oz. Besides that, you need a sturdy metallic scraper that costs around 5 to 10 USD. They cost more than plastic scrapers but are a better investment.

Also, if you do not have a scouring pad, you can buy one online at the price of 1 to 3 USD per piece.

3. How To Remove Waterproof Silicone Using Vinegar?

If you have ever smelled silicone sealants, you will observe that their fragrance is very similar to vinegar. It is because both vinegar and silicone sealant has acetic acid. Thus, you can consider using vinegar to soften silicon.

Vinegar is a very mild substance. Consequently, it is only suitable for removing a small amount of silicone from surfaces that may not react well with compounds like mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol.

Required Items

• White vinegar
• Scraper
• Pliers
• Blow dryer (optional)

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Soak silicone with vinegar

As stated earlier, white vinegar is a mild chemical. Hence, applying it scarcely will not work. On the contrary, you would have to soak the silicone in vinegar by applying it in a generous amount.

2. Scrape

Vinegar can soften the silicon, but to actually remove it from the surface, you will have to scrape or peel it.

First, pull by hand or using a plier all the silicone that can be peeled. Now, use a metallic scraper to scrape the remaining silicone.

3. Use heat if needed

When peeling or scraping is not enough to remove some parts of waterproof silicone, heat can be the answer.

Point a blow or hairdryer at the silicone you want to remove and heat for at least thirty seconds and not more than two minutes. Heat will break down the grip of silicone on the surface. Now, you can peel or scrape the silicone effortlessly.

4. Wash the area

The final step is to give a last wash to the surface to be completely clean. Wash the surface using a cleaner that is suitable for that particular surface.

Precaution

Only start applying fresh silicone sealant when the surface is dry.

Time

You can only use vinegar when you want to remove a limited amount of silicone. Essentially, this method should not take you more than five to eight minutes.

Cost

Since white vinegar is a multipurpose product, buying a gallon of vinegar is better. It will cost you not more than 13 to 25 USD.

At the same time, pliers and a metallic scraper come in a range of 5 to 10 USD.

4. How To Remove Waterproof Silicone Using Silicone Caulk Remover?

When nothing DIY seems to work, it is just better to get a product exclusively designed for removing waterproof silicone. A silicone caulk remover is a perfect product to soften and loosen the firm grip of silicone from a surface to facilitate its removal.

You just have to find a suitable silicone caulk remover based on the surface you plan to use it on. Follow the procedure as suggested by the manufacturer, and you will be able to get rid of all the unwanted silicone in no time.

Required Items

• Silicone caulk remover
• Scraper
• Bleach (optional)

Procedure [Step by Step]

1. Apply silicone remover

The industry-grade silicone removers give better results than other DIY methods. These are safe for application on most surfaces and are simple to use.

To apply the silicone remover, shake the bottle or can well and spray it on the silicon. You want the silicone to be completely drenched with the remover.

2. Let it soak

Wait for a couple of minutes while the silicone soaks in the remover. During this time, the silicone will start to loosen up.

3. Scrape

As the silicone remover softens the silicone, you can start scraping. Place the metallic scraper as close to the base of the silicone layer as possible and start to scrape.

4. Reapply silicone remover

Keep reapplying liberal amounts of remover on places where you need to. Scrape until all the silicone is gone.

5. Clean the surface

Finally, clean the surface with a suitable cleaner and water when the silicone is removed.

Moreover, to remove mold, grime, or mildew growth, clean the surface with a mixture of bleach and water. Leave it to dry, and you’re done.

Precautions

• Always check that the remover you are using is safe for the surface.
• It is imperative to leave the surface for drying before applying another sealant.

Time

When using an industry-grade silicone remover like WD-40, the time and effort needed to remove silicone are significantly less. You can do so in a matter of five minutes. However, this time can be more if the amount of silicone you want to remove is large.

Cost

The leading silicone remover is WD-40. It is a multipurpose product and costs 10 USD. Other than this, you need a scarper that you can get for 5 to 10 USD.

Final Comments:

Waterproof silicone can be pretty tedious to remove after drying. However, with some readily available products, it can be made easier. This can spare you some money by eliminating the need to hire a professional to do it.

So, if you want to remove silicone from places it is not needed, the methods mentioned above are just what you need.