How to dissolve silicone sealant at home, what can be diluted

Methods for removing sealant

The first method of material removal is the most energy-intensive, but also the cheapest. However, it can only be used in areas where surface damage is not visible. Coarse salt or pumice stone can be used to scrub the silicone sealant off a tile or bathtub in an inconspicuous place, and a large, sharp knife is also required.

To reduce surface damage, you will have to be extremely careful and careful. First, you need to remove large build-up of material from the surface.

For this, it is most convenient to use the back of the knife. After that, you can carefully remove the remnants of the sealant using pumice. She just needs to rub the surface and thoroughly rinse off the remaining silicone with water.

It often happens that after removing the grease, a small stain remains on the surface of the tile or bathroom. In this case, you can get rid of it with a regular dishwashing detergent. You just need to apply it to the stain and wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge.

Experts recommend using a metal dish sponge or scraper if you need to cleanse the sealant on the bathroom or tile. They will help not only to remove the old silicone, but also to remove the remnants of grease and soap deposits.

If the silicone has got on a smooth and even surface relatively recently, it can be easily removed with a damp cloth or spatula. However, if he was on it for a long time, then it is more expedient to use acetone. It does a great job on stains like this, but before using it, you should protect your hands with gloves to avoid damaging your skin.

Cleaning stains from tiles

Often, in order to clean the silicone from the tile, ordinary table salt is enough. But at the same time, you will have to carry out mechanical actions that will help to cope with the problem. To carry out the manipulations, you will need a rag, a soft cloth and table salt.

After everything is prepared, you can get to work:

Remove large beads of silicone with a sharp knife. It can also be used to tear off large areas of the sealant already slightly behind the surface.
Now you need to apply a small amount of salt to the cloth and dampen it. You can start removing the remaining pieces of silicone in a circular motion. Do not press hard on the cloth, so as not to damage the tile or bathroom. The sealant will do just fine, you just need to be patient.

The glass can be cleaned in the same way. But a slightly different method works great with this material. This requires a hair dryer to heat the glass surface. In this case, the silicone simply melts and can be removed with a regular sponge. It remains only to wipe the glass with detergent and there will be no traces of sealant.

If you need to wash off the silicone sealant from a flat and smooth surface, then a regular stationery knife and acetone will perfectly help to cope with this task. First, the silicone must be completely removed from the surface with a sharp knife, and the remains should be washed off with a cloth soaked in acetone. If you work very carefully, you may not even scratch the surface.

In order to avoid getting silicone on open areas of tiles, bathtubs or windows, you can use ordinary masking tape. It is glued to the surface and after that the seams are coated with a sealant. The material will remain in the seam and the rest of the surface will be clean after removing the tape.

Washing off hands and clothes

Often, when working with sealant, it gets on the clothes.In this case, you need to act as quickly as possible - removing fresh silicone is much easier than dealing with absorbed material. To do this, you will need to stretch the fabric and pick up the sealant with the sharp and thin end of a knitting needle or knife. Carefully, without making any sudden movements, it will be possible to remove the silicone. But dry material can also be dealt with. To do this, just soak a piece of damaged clothing in vinegar and leave for a few minutes. It remains only to wipe the dirty area with a cloth and remove the silicone.

It will be difficult to dissolve silicone sealant on your hands at home. After all, vinegar and acetone are very harmful to the skin. But a little salt or a piece of pumice stone will perfectly help remove particles of the product from the skin. To do this, pour warm water into a small container and dissolve salt in it, hold your fingers or palms in this solution and rub lightly with a pumice stone. The glue comes off the skin quite easily. But if the sealant is on a large area of the skin, then the procedure will have to be repeated several times.

Solvent selection

When choosing a silicone solvent, you must take into account its type. He might be:

universal;
sanitary;
aquarium;
automobile.

In addition to the type of sealant, you also need to take into account where this building material was used. The fact is that silicone is not always used for its intended purpose.

In addition to removing silicone sealant from places where it should not be located, sometimes it may be necessary to dissolve cured building material.

In the event that the sealant has just been applied and has not yet had time to harden, it can be removed with a clean cloth. Pre-moisten it with water. V if more than 20 minutes have passed, the removal procedure will be more difficult.

It is necessary to understand that not all tools will be equally good. Many chemicals can easily remove excess silicone, but they can ruin the product or damage the skin.

Silicone stained glass surfaces can be cleaned with white alcohol. There is also a special tool that is designed to remove the sealant without harming other materials - Penta-840. A small amount of the solvent is applied to the problem area and after the time indicated in the instructions for use, removed along with the softened silicone. But the special solvent has a significant drawback - high cost. It is for this reason that many builders, when choosing how to dilute silicone sealant, prefer cheaper options, which include gasoline or kerosene. Their effectiveness will be slightly lower, which will take more time to solve the problem, but it will be possible to remove excess silicone from the glass.

In the event that the sealant has just been applied and has not yet had time to harden, it can be removed with a clean cloth

When silicone gets on the tiles, the previous chemical solvents may not work if the quality of the finishing material is poor. Otherwise, the aesthetic qualities of the material to be cleaned may be impaired. The use of organic solvents is most suitable, i.e. kerosene or gasoline.

To prevent the glossy side of the tile from being scratched after getting rid of excess silicone, it is not recommended to use products that contain abrasive particles. It is for this reason that it is best to use a soft cloth when removing the sealant.

If during the installation of the sink, liquid silicone was applied in large quantities and smeared the countertop, then in order to get rid of it, you need to be patient. Some surfaces are resistant to various aggressive substances. In this case, the solution will be simple - white alcohol or a special solvent. When there is a risk of ruining the countertop, then you need to mix gasoline with dishwashing detergent and apply it to the dried silicone.After a while, the structure of the sealant will soften and it will be possible to try to separate it from the surface.

Countertops that cannot withstand prolonged moisture will have to be mechanically cleaned or put up with an ugly stain of silicone sealant. To minimize the risk of surface damage, removal is best done with a wooden kitchen spatula.

Easy ways to remove silicone sealant

Silicone sealant is very flexible, therefore, after drying, under mechanical influence, it does not change the initial application, it is strong for adhesion to any surfaces. Such properties of the substance provide for some difficulties in its purification at home.

If the acriplast has completely polymerized, then the mechanical method will not clean the coating; special substances must be used.

Folk methods

Initially, folk methods are always used for cleaning, since every home has such substances.

If the silicone did not have time to harden (up to 20 minutes after application), then water and rags will help to remove it.

Small contaminants are removed with rags soaked in gasoline, kerosene. The use of solutions with acetone is also allowed, just first you need to moisten an inconspicuous area of the surface for the sample.

Special means

Softening is required to remove a thick, fully hardened joint. A special silicone wiper is able to soften acriplast to a completely soft, liquid state.

Washing off Penta-840 is produced in several forms, it provides for the removal of silicone from different planes. To work with the wash, you will need to soften the rags, wipe off the dirt, cover the treated area with a film. Then the dirt is removed with a clean cloth.

Also used is Silicone Remover Gel, which is specially formulated for cleaning various types of sealants. It quickly acts on the dried acriplast, after 10 minutes the softened mass is removed.

Universal application is possible with Lugato Silicon Entferner. This mass is suitable for special surfaces prone to scratching and damage. This is how wooden, tile, glass surfaces are cleaned.

A bit of theory

It is very important to remove the sealant from the surface so as to preserve the material on which it has cured. To do this, you need to know well the properties of the dissolving substances. ... Any solvent is, first of all, an aggressive environment

She will gladly ruin the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, before you start using a solvent, you must take into account the following nuances:

Any solvent is, first of all, an aggressive environment. She will gladly ruin the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, before you start using a solvent, you must consider the following nuances:

Silicone sealant on plastic surfaces, such as polyvinyl chloride, can be easily removed with acid. Salt is considered the cheapest and most affordable.

If the sealant is frozen on the plastic, which was based on:

Plexiglass;
Polyurethane
Polycarbonate;
Polyester.

It must always be remembered that acidic solvents will have a negative effect on such material.

If the base of the sealant is polyurethane, it can be easily removed with alkaline solutions. Such aggressive compounds do not react with plastics of any kind

Therefore, it does not matter at all on what type of plastic the sealant is frozen, the alkali will only remove it, without affecting the surface to be cleaned.
When a solvent is used, it must be remembered that a change in tone will definitely occur, the tile will not be as shiny as before.
Before you start using the solvent, you need to find an inconspicuous spot, apply a little solvent and see how it affects the surface.

Important! All sealants are crosslinked polymers with strong chemical bonds. The solvent cannot deal with them instantly

Therefore, such work takes time until the solvent penetrates deeply into the cured sealant.

Removing dried silicone

How to remove the hardened material? Special organic solvents can handle this task. It is enough to apply such a solvent to the problem area, leave it for a couple of minutes, and then remove it with something sharp.

There is also such a tool as a wash (quite expensive, by the way) and special chemicals, which are divided depending on the area of use.

But do not forget that they contain acid, which can lead to damage to the cleaned object. For example, it is forbidden to clean leather items (for example, sofa upholstery) with them. They can also easily damage the acrylic bathtub.

If you've ruined your floor, window, or walls, the following tips will come in handy.

In the event that you are not afraid to wipe the paint off the coating, treat the stain with white spirit.

You can clean off the sealant mechanically: scrape it off the tile or glass with a sharp knife, or leave it soaked under the influence of kerosene. The sealant that has just been poured and has not had time to dry can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth.

We clean our hands

At home, you can remove it with a cloth dipped in kerosene. But this procedure is only effective if carried out in hot pursuit.

There are several ways to clean your hands from silicone sealant:

Rub your hands with a plastic bag - the glue should stick to it. Then wash your hands with soap and water. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Mix equal parts vinegar solution with water, wash your hands with this solution, and then clean them with soap.
You can also remove fresh dirt from your hands like this: immerse your hands in a bowl of hot water for a couple of minutes, lather and rub with a pumice stone.
Solvents such as acetone, gasoline, or nail polish remover may help. It is enough to moisten a cotton swab and wipe your hands with it.

In general, when working with this material, always protect your hands with gloves or, in extreme cases, wash your hands heavily and let them dry. The soapy film on your hands will prevent the sealant from adhering to your skin.

Cleaning clothes

Removing the sealant from clothing is not always easy, and you run the risk of ruining the item.

You can try to stretch a fresh trail along with the fabric, and then pry and pull off the film. Or, as with gum, place the item in the freezer and then gently scrape off any dirt.

If the glue is already ingrained, you will have to remove it with chemicals:

moisten with alcohol and rub with a brush,
moisten with acetic acid (be careful!) and wipe with a cloth,
moisten a cotton swab with solvent and iron the stain through several layers of paper.

Share the article with your friends - what if this topic is relevant for them. And good luck with the renovation!

Natalia Bryantseva

How and how to remove the old sealant layer

Mechanical method for removing old sealant

As a rule, the largest layer of the old sealant is removed mechanically, and its small residues, which are difficult to scrape off with a knife, are removed using special chemicals.

Removing old sealant from the bath rim

Removing the old layer of silicone from the seams is a tedious task. You can try using a regular knife, screwdriver, or razor blade. The mechanical method of removing the sealant, in spite of its laboriousness, does not guarantee thorough cleaning. But nevertheless, special knives and scrapers to remove the sealant will cope with this task most carefully and without damaging the surfaces.

It is worth noting that many manufacturers produce sets of such special knives, together with plastic attachments, of various shapes. Putting on such a nozzle, the knife for removing the sealant turns into a spatula for uniform application of a new layer of sealant.

Sealing knives and scrapers

Chemical method for removing silicone sealant

A simpler and safer option to remove old silicone sealant is to use a silicone cleaner in conjunction with mechanical cleaning. The use of special chemicals to remove silicone will not only thoroughly remove all residues of the sealant, but also protect the surface of the bathroom, tile or sink from scratches and chips. In addition, it will help to avoid accidental injuries to the hands, which are not so rare with the mechanical method of removing the sealant.

Dow Corning OS-2 Silicone Cleaner

Special chemicals will be very helpful in removing old silicone sealant: Penta-840, Dow Corning OS-2, JVR Refinish Silicon Stop, Lugato silikon entferner, Mellerud silikon entferner, Standox silikon entferner remover, Sili-kill silicone solvent, McKanica Silicone Caulk Remover Gel, Soudal Silicone Remover, Titeseal and Tytan Silicone Cleaner, and many more.

And simpler (folk) methods can also come in handy if you cannot buy a special tool. Thinner White spirit and gasoline will help soften and help remove sealant.

The composition of the cleaner is applied to the seam of the sealant in such a way as to ensure the layer thickness is 2-3 times thicker than the silicone layer. After applying the cleaner, it takes time for the silicone to dissolve, depending on the thickness of the layer, the waiting time can be from 1 to 8 hours. To save cleaner and reduce the time to dissolve the sealant, you can carefully cut off the available silicone layer. After the solvent has finished working, the silicone can be wiped off with a cloth or a plastic or wood spatula so as not to damage the surface. The entire procedure can be repeated if necessary.

Special means

In the case of repair work, you should immediately resort to household chemicals in order to quickly dissolve the silicone sealant and start major repairs. This will significantly save time and effort.

The procedure is the same for all types of washes:

Cut off some of the silicone, leaving no more than 2 mm (as a rule, this is required when the material is accidentally spilled onto the surface to be glued).
Let the reactions pass. As a result, the glue softens to a gel-like state and loses most of its adhesive properties.
Remove residues with a spatula, dry cloth or other tool.
Degrease, removing residual cleaner and preparing the surface for a new joint.

TOP effective remedies against silicone sealant:

Tytan is the most popular solvent represented by the Polish brand Selena. The wash is packaged in an 80 ml syringe, not very convenient, but quite suitable for work. It takes the tool from 20 minutes to 3 hours to cope with the glue, but the result pays off: the residues are removed easily, without effort. The main drawback of the product is a pungent odor, which requires good ventilation or the operation of the hood.
Silicone Remover from the Belgian company Soudal is a mid-price cleaner. 100 ml cost an average of 300 rubles. The set includes a spatula and a brush. However, buyers do not respond well to the wash. There is a poor-quality spatula, which is not enough for all the work, a pungent smell of the cleaner and its low efficiency.

HG is one of the best silicone sealant removers. Container - 100 ml, a spatula and a brush are included, which are enough to apply a wash and remove the glue. In 30 minutes, the seam is eroded so much that it can be removed even with a simple napkin. At the same time, buyers note a pleasant smell.
Kudo is a cheap anti-silicone product, 520 ml costs only 150 rubles. However, the downside is high consumption and relatively low efficiency.

Auster Silicone Cleaner is the 5th most popular silicone and mold cleaner. Belongs to the middle category and costs 200 rubles. for 60 ml. It copes well with silicone sealant, after half an hour the material is removed with a spatula without effort.
Mellerud is another widespread mid-range product with roughly the same characteristics as Auster.

Types of solvents

When choosing one or another agent for diluting the hardened sealant, it is important to take into account some of the features of its composition. Silicone based mixtures are classified into three main groups.

Silicone based blends are classified into three main groups.

Acid-based. Acetic acid is used in the manufacture of this type of silicone solution. Such material has a low price and not a very pleasant smell. The composition is incompatible with some metals and marble.
Alkali-based. This type of mixture is made on the basis of amines and, as a rule, has a specific purpose.
Neutral. They are considered universal formulations that are suitable for almost all materials.

On the modern building materials market, you can find special impregnations for diluting the sealant. However, folk remedies are no less effective and will help in a situation when there was no special purpose composition at hand.

Improvised means

The use of folk remedies for diluting the sealing composition is convenient primarily because there are dissolving mixtures in almost every home. If it becomes necessary to wash off the not yet cured sealant, you can use plain water and a rag. This method is suitable only when more than twenty minutes have not passed since the application of the mixture.

Minor traces of sealant can be removed with gasoline or kerosene. Silicone mixtures can also be acted upon with acetone or acetone-containing solutions.

Special formulations

One of the most popular means for thinning silicone sealant is Penta-840. This solution is suitable for application to almost any surface. The disadvantage of the mixture is its high cost.

The dilution process of silicone sealant in at home composition The Penta 840 is pretty simple. It is necessary to apply the solution to the area that needs to be cleaned and left for the time indicated on the product packaging. Then the softened silicone is easily cleaned off the surface.

Quilosa Limpiador can be used to soften fresh sealant. The product is suitable for all types of hard surfaces.

Permaloid is ideal for removing cured sealant from plastic. It does not dissolve plastic and does not leave any marks on the material. The cleaner is also used to clean metal surfaces and car parts.

Dow Corning OS-2 Cleaner is designed to clean surfaces prior to subsequent treatment with paints, sealants or adhesives. The product is safe for human health and can be used to clean surfaces that come in contact with food.

Lugato Silicon Entferner paste for removing hardened silicone is used for the most sensitive surfaces. The tool can be used to clean painted structures, wood, natural stone, tiles and so on. The mixture does not spoil the structure of the material and does not affect the color and gloss of the surface.

Silicone Remover comes in gel form to loosen hardened silicone. The mixture is universal for all materials. The only requirement for the treated surface is that it must be absolutely dry. Silicone Remover has a high speed of action on cured silicone sealants. It is enough to keep the solution on the dirt for ten minutes, after which the sealing compound can be easily removed.

Removal from various surfaces

If you take metal, wood and plastic, and try to act on materials with the same chemical solvent, the result is not always the same. Surfaces react differently to the components of cleaners - PVC can deform, paint "peels off" from the metal, and the wood will darken or fade

Therefore, to remove silicones at home, you need to pay attention to the structure of the material being processed, and select gentle compounds to remove the sealant from your hands or clothing.

Glass

The solid material interacts well with solvents, has a dense structure, so the sealant layer cannot penetrate deeply into the glass surface. The most effective way to remove silicone is to use white spirit, kerosene, refined gasoline, or professional grade Penta-840. The cleaning process takes different time depending on the effectiveness of the selected purifier.

Plastic

Delicate surface that requires careful handling. Poorly interacts with aggressive chemicals. To remove silicone, you need to use special washes that do not corrode plastic, for example, Permaloid.
The packaging must be marked by the manufacturer that the composition is suitable for plastic and plastic material. An alternative washing option is hydrochloric acid.

Tile

The top layer of the tile has an attractive gloss. Organic solvents have a negative effect on the material. It is not recommended to use products containing abrasive substances on ceramic surfaces. White spirit should not be used on poor quality ceramic tiles.
To clean the material, you can use kerosene or special wipes.

clothing

If an acidic sealant has come into contact with the fabric, it is easiest to remove the substance with a concentrated solution of acetic acid (70%).
For this, the contaminated area is soaked with undiluted vinegar and, after softening, the silicone is removed mechanically. Neutral silicones are cleaned from the fabric with alcohol solutions - the composition can be applied for a while, and then gently scraped off the fabric.

From the skin of the hands

When carrying out repairs and finishing works without gloves, the sealant can get on your hands. The hardened mixture is easiest to remove with rubbing alcohol, another alcohol-containing substance or saline solution.
It is necessary to treat the contaminated skin area by wiping your hands with a cotton swab or a piece of clean cloth. To avoid silicone contamination, it is recommended to work with gloves.

In the video:

How to clean bathroom silicone from tiles

How to dissolve silicone sealant: the basics of work

Household chemicals

The easiest way to remove silicone from clothing is to remove it immediately after being soiled. The uncured mixture is quickly removed from the fabric, the remains are wiped off with a rag, and, if necessary, the thing is washed. If the product has dried up, the actions are as follows:

the thing is laid out on a flat surface, the dirty area is straightened;
with a thin tool, pry off the dried substance and remove it from the material;
the stain remaining on the clothes is rubbed with a sponge dipped in vinegar or alcohol;
after a while, the stain is again moistened with a solvent and cleaned with an old toothbrush, the pellets that appear are removed by hand;
the applied chemistry with silicone is washed off with a warm soapy solution.

From organic products, you can use sunflower oil. The oil itself does not cleanse well, so it is warmed up a little in a saucepan and washing powder is added. After using the product, hands are thoroughly washed with running water and soap.

Vinegar diluted in water, in a 1: 1 ratio, copes effectively with silicone. After removal, hands are washed with warm water and laundry soap.

If the silicone has not yet hardened, pick it up with a hard object and scrape it off. If the stain is dry, soak the area of clothing in vinegar for 10-15 minutes, and then remove with a cloth.

Method 2 - pour alcohol on the dirty place and start brushing with a toothbrush. The silicone will begin to roll off and you can easily remove it.

You can simply lather your hands with laundry soap and rub with a pumice stone. Several such procedures may be required.

According to construction statistics, in 50 percent of cases, special glue falls into the hands of the one who applies it. Excessive haste, neglect of skin protection - the reasons are different, but the outcome is the same: a mixture on the palms. How to clean the silicone sealant from your hands so that the epidermis stays in place? Obviously, caustic household chemicals are not appropriate here. Folk advice on how to wipe silicone sealant off your palms recommends the following:

take 9% vinegar and mix with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Soak a cotton swab or cotton pad in the resulting solution and wipe your skin. Do not rub too hard to avoid damaging the dermis layer;
A high-quality nail polish remover will help wash the silicone sealant. You can put it on a cotton swab and apply it to the place where the composition got. 2-3 minutes is enough to remove the mixture;
clean the silicone sealant from your hands as follows: pour into a deep bowl or bowl of warm water, add 3 tablespoons of sea or table salt, immerse in the palm solution for 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, the special glue will soften and can be easily removed with running water and soap;

how to wipe off the silicone sealant if it just got on the dermis? A plastic bag! Take the bag and apply it to the skin. The mixture will stick to the polyethylene and fall behind the palms;
alcohol tonics for oily skin can also fight back with special glue. Apply the solution to a cotton swab and apply for 5-10 minutes;
Gasoline or acetone will help wash the glue. Every motorist has these funds. A couple of drops are enough. Apply gasoline or acetone to your skin, the mixture will come off;
before starting work, smear your palms with a fat cream or any oil. It will not be very convenient to work, but the glue will not stick to the dermis.

So simply and quickly you can dissolve silicate without the use of special chemicals.

After removing the substance from the skin, treat the epidermis with a regenerating cream, such as Bepantent or Triderm, to avoid irritation.

If there is a reaction in the form of a rash or a tumor, take an antihistamine medicine (medicine for allergies - "Zirtek", "Suprastin").

When working with the composition, clothes are often dirty. It can be cleaned of silicone sealant in the following ways:

remove the item, place it in a plastic bag and send it to the freezer for 3-5 hours. After the thing is removed, the composition can be removed by hand;
rubbing off the silicone sealant will help with rubbing alcohol. Apply it to the stain and rub it with a brush, then send the item to the wash. Choose a mode from 30 to 50 degrees;
very hot water can also wash the glue. Place the item in the washing machine, add powder and fabric softener, wash at 90 degrees. Be careful: not all tissues are capable of surviving this heat attack;
Vinegar, or rather, essence, is capable of washing off the glue. Apply to stain, wait 10 minutes, then scrape off with a knife or razor. Be careful not to cut the fabric.

Breeding methods

There are several ways to dilute or dilute the sealant, but it is necessary that the material does not lose its basic properties. Experts prohibit the use of toluene as a solvent, because when it comes into contact with silicone, it releases harmful substances, which can provoke poisoning. For these purposes, it is recommended to use a silicone wipe. Together with silicone, it is used in a 1: 6 ratio. The rubbing retains the quality of the silicone sealant, while thinning it. You can also use silicone oil and gasoline for lighters, but this method is less preferable than the previous one.

In the production of soft and plastic silicone, one of the hardest substances is used - silicon. Polymers for sealants are created from natural material.Materials have the required plasticity to fill mounting gaps, seams

Excess solidified substance must be removed from the treated surface, so it is important to know how to dissolve silicone sealant without damaging the base, texture of objects, materials, things

After completing the repair, the excess silicone must be carefully removed without damaging the surface. To choose how to dissolve silicone sealant, you need to take into account the component composition of the material. The sealants are based on rubber with good fluidity, due to which the composition penetrates deeply into gaps between surfaces and hard-to-reach places, providing reliable sealing of joints and joints.

After complete polymerization, the substance hardens, improving the heat, sound and moisture insulation characteristics of the treated surfaces. To properly remove hardened and liquid silicone sealant, you need to take into account the features, composition and properties of the material:

One-component substances are intended for household use, most often used for sealing plumbing equipment.
Two-component products are self-vulcanizing compositions for industrial use with improved characteristics and a long service life.
Acidic sealants for universal use. Acetic acid is introduced into the composition, which causes a specific smell of the substance when using the product.
Alcohol-based or ketoxime-based neutral substances. The composition adheres well to various surfaces and materials, therefore it is universal.
Alkaline sealants with amines are special-purpose substances for indoor and outdoor use, do not cause corrosion of metals, and have antiseptic properties.

To figure out how to dilute silicone sealant, you need to carefully read the component composition of the substance. Manufacturers add special additives: extenders to reduce viscosity, antiseptic fungicides against fungus and mold. Mechanical inclusions of chalk, quartz or glass sand improve the adhesive properties of silicones, and coloring pigments increase the decorative characteristics of sealants. Taking into account the chemical composition of the silicone, choose acidic or neutral solvents, which have different effects on the hardened silicone mass.

Acidic

The easiest way to dissolve sealants is acetic acid.

It has the unique ability to liquefy acidic silicones. A portion of the concentrated vinegar essence (70%) is poured onto the sealant and the hardened mass is gradually stirred. The principle is similar to the preparation of wallpaper glue. The use of an acetic sealant solvent is useful for removing acidic silicones.

Neutral

Alcohol-based products can be used on different types of surfaces, the composition does not have a sharp specific odor. Due to the increased moisture resistance, it is allowed to remove silicone from metal products and structures. Neutral solvents of silicone silicone sealant are amine, oxide, alcohol. The compositions are used for domestic and industrial purposes.

You can dissolve neutral silicones at home using white spirit, acetone, refined gasoline

When using any solvents, it is important to select a product so that the sealant does not lose its properties.