The scope of use of silicone sealant is extremely wide. All thanks to its high performance, sealing and sealing qualities. However, its use can also have an unpleasant side if the application was erroneous or involuntary. Here it will be useful to know how to remove or how to wash silicone without harm to the surface.
Sealant Features
The solvents in the composition give the product special adhesive properties and increased elasticity, which allows it to be used on almost all types of surfaces:
- Antibacterial types of sealant are best suited for use in areas with high humidity. These are bathrooms, aquariums, pools, as well as places in contact with water.
- Silicone sealants are more commonly used in the construction and automotive industries. When applied to the surface, the substance penetrates into the structure of the material and is firmly held in it. Removing it becomes quite problematic, especially if the sealant was therea long time.
Perhaps that is why more and more beginners have a question about how to wash silicone from clothes, tiles, glass or plastic without damaging the surface. Despite the complexity of the process, there are still ways. Let's look at them later in the article.
Mechanical methods
To avoid the question of how to wash the silicone, it is recommended to paste over the surface with masking tape before starting work, protecting it from getting this product. If contamination could not be avoided, for cleaning you will need:
- Sharp knife. As a rule, before proceeding with the further cleaning of the sealant, it is he who is used first. The tool simply scrapes off the top layer. In this case, special care must be taken so as not to scratch the coating and not spoil its appearance. This method is more suitable for surfaces that are resistant to mechanical damage or in inconspicuous places.
- Scraper. This is a special tool for glass surfaces. It has the shape of a spatula, but its base is slightly thicker and has a pointed end, reminiscent of a kitchen knife. If there is no such device on the farm, then you can replace it with an ordinary spatula.
- Scraper made of wood or plastic. Surely professional builders have this special tool. If this is not available, a frying pan scraper can replace it.
- A wire washcloth is useful for cleaning the joints between the bathroom and the tile. At the same time, the work is done very carefully so that scratches do not appear on the surface.
Universal or simple remedy?
Unfortunately, a tool that would be suitable for all types of surfaces has not yet been developed by specialists. Therefore, when looking for an answer to the question of how to wash building silicone, you will have to use combined methods.
You can try to wipe off the sealant with a simple tool - table s alt. It should be noted that the method is only suitable for scratch-resistant coatings.
Any sharp object needs to cut off the top layer of pollution. A clean rag is moistened in water and dipped in s alt or folded into several layers and the s alt is poured inside. In circular motions with effort and a small amplitude, dirt is wiped away.
After silicone, a grease stain may remain on the surface. It can be removed by wiping with a sponge dipped in dishwashing detergent.
How to clean tiles?
Often, after laying the material, excess sealant remains at the joints, and the surface looks sloppy. Over time, it penetrates deeper into the surface, and it will be very difficult to remove it without harm to the coating. Let's consider how to wash the silicone from the tile until it has finally eaten into the top layer of the material:
- White spirit. In addition to proven folk methods, you can use chemicals that will solve the problem much faster. It is worth taking into account that white spirit contains a solvent, so it is not suitable for use on painted surfaces. A clean napkin is moistened with a product and treatedcontaminated area. After a minute, the silicone acquires a loose texture and is easily peeled off with a sharp object. Then the surface is wiped again with the product, only after that it is washed with an important cloth.
- Another effective way to clean the tile from a layer of sealant is to use gasoline or kerosene. To begin with, the thickest layer of the adhesive composition is cut off from the stain. Then the rag is moistened with gasoline and the contaminated area is wiped. When the agent begins to act and the base becomes jelly-like, the stain is removed with a wooden spatula.
- Solvent "Penta-840". This tool is specifically designed to clean dirt from various surfaces. You can buy it at any hardware store. It is inexpensive, and cleans quickly and efficiently. Before buying, you must read the instructions, as it is not suitable for all coatings.
How to clean silicone from tiles?
You can remove the sticky substance from this material using home remedies:
- Soap solution. In the prepared mixture of laundry soap and water, a sponge is moistened and the place of contamination is treated. At the end of the procedure, the cleaned area is wiped with a dry cloth.
- Vinegar. A method of cleaning silicone from tiles using this substance has long been known. The liquid has a destructive effect on the components of the sealant, contributing to its rapid lagging behind the coating. Before work, it is necessary to protect the skin of the hands with rubber gloves, and at the end of the manipulationventilate the room. Vinegar is applied to a cotton pad and impregnated with dirt, kept for some time and cleaned with a sharp object. An alternative to vinegar is acetone.
Cleaning glass surfaces
This procedure may be necessary if, for example, window joints were sealed. There is nothing easier than cleaning silicone from glass. It is easiest to remove traces of sealant from such a coating due to the fact that it is perfectly smooth. To do this, just use a sharp knife or spatula.
You can avoid scratches if you work without excessive force in one direction. If, nevertheless, it was not possible to completely clean off the silicone with a sharp object, one of the described methods must be applied. Vinegar or mineral spirits are best for this, but gasoline can leave iridescent stains on the glass that are difficult to wash off.
Plastic cleaning
How can you wash silicone if they accidentally stained such a coating? It can be an accidental drop on plastic pipes or on the same window sill. Cleaning this material from silicone contamination is quite simple. The fact is that, due to the peculiarities of the structure, it does not allow the sealant to be firmly fixed, therefore, after the repair is completed, the stain is easy to clean. Specialists and consultants in specialized stores will definitely recommend a product called Dow Corning OS-2 for such a case. Its composition perfectly eliminates traces of dirt without harming the surface.
To begin with, a sharp object is cut offsealant thickness. After that, a solvent is applied to it and left for half an hour. At this time, the silicone will soften and loosen, you just need to cut it off with a spatula or scraper. The remaining greasy traces are removed with detergent, and then wiped with a dry cloth. If a primer was used before applying the sealant, a more concentrated solvent will be needed to clean the dirt.
Cleaning clothes and hands
It may happen that during operation, the sealant gets on exposed areas of the body and fabric. If you have a question about how to wash silicone from clothes, you can use the following methods:
- Take off the item and put it in a plastic bag. Close it tightly, releasing the air, and place it in the freezer for five hours. After extraction, the adhesive composition is removed manually.
- You can quickly remove the sealant with ethyl alcohol. It is liberally applied to the stain and rubbed with a brush. Then the thing is washed in the machine at a temperature of 40 ° C.
- If the fabric allows hot water, the clothes can be washed at 95°C with detergent.
- Effectively dissolves the stain from silicone vinegar essence. It is moistened with pollution and after ten minutes it is scraped off with a knife. It is important not to cut the fabric when doing this.
It is impossible to remove silicone from thin fabrics without damaging them, but bright colors will most likely fade after such treatment.
It is not uncommon for a remedy to remain in the hands of the one who works with it. So that the caustic composition does not harm the skin,it must be removed as soon as possible. How to clean silicone from hands? We offer the following ways:
- Table vinegar is mixed with water in proportions 1:1. Soak a cotton swab in the prepared solution and wipe the skin with it. Do not rub it too hard, so as not to irritate the epidermis.
- A nail polish remover is equally effective at removing sealant residue. A cotton pad is moistened with a liquid and applied to a silicone spot. After two or three minutes, it is scraped off, and hands are washed with soap.
- Another way to remove silicone. Pour warm water into a bowl and add three tablespoons of s alt. Hands are dipped in saline solution for 15 minutes, after which the adhesive composition is easily peeled off with soap and water.
How to wash silicone from a bath?
To remove the adhesive from such a surface, you will need a clerical knife, coarse s alt and a clean rag. Having prepared everything you need, get to work.
Excess sealant is carefully cut off with a knife over the entire area of contamination. Then, prying one edge of the silicone, pull it in the opposite direction with your hand. A damp rag is dipped in s alt and rubbed with it where traces of the substance still remain. You can also treat the coating with a thinner or a mixture of water and vinegar.
Special Chemicals
How effective the solvent will be depends on the components of the sealant to which it is applied. There is a special liquid silicone that is used to fill molds. It can be added to its compositiondyes and hardeners. A wide range of chemicals allows you to select the most effective substances. Consider how to wash liquid silicone:
- "Mixture 646". Its use is recommended during the first day after using the adhesive. It rolls off the silicone, after which it is easy to remove it with a dry rag.
- Quilosa Limpiador. Removes fresh stains well. Not available for leather coated products.
- Sili-kill. One of the best resources. Approved for use on all types of surfaces.
- Silicone Remover. Specially formulated silicone remover. Effectively removes stains from smooth surfaces and is suitable for porous surfaces. It is often purchased to remove sealant from rubber.
- "Penta-840". This is a product of a domestic manufacturer, which has proven itself for cleaning any surfaces. The product is toxic, but gives an excellent result.
Precautions
Sealant must be handled in accordance with safety regulations.
The skin of the hands must be protected with rubber gloves. If it is inconvenient to work in them, the masters advise to lather your hands with soap. A thin film forms on the skin, repelling the adhesive composition and preventing it from penetrating into the deeper layers of the dermis.
If joints on the ceiling are treated with sealant, it is recommended to protect the hair with a hat. You can use cellophane. Wash off the silicone from the hairline will alreadyimpossible.
If we talk about preventing the composition from getting on hard surfaces, then it is recommended to use masking tape, plastic film, silicone-repellent solutions to protect them. Precautions will not be superfluous. If silicone gets on the surface, it is immediately removed, without waiting for the setting with the surface.
The article provides answers to the question of how to wash silicone from various coatings, as well as from clothes and hand skin.
