Modern building and repair materials are characterized by improved qualities. They are not affected by negative environmental factors. Therefore, it is quite difficult to wash them off after application. Silicone sealant also has this quality. How to dissolve this substance is often of interest to unprofessional repairmen.
If you want to do the installation yourself, you can stain decoration materials, clothes or hands. Then you have to decide how to dissolve the adhesive sealant. Indeed, on different surfaces, it requires a special approach to elimination. Therefore, with the same means it is impossible to remove the substance from the skin of the hands and the tiled surface. Silicone removal technology is discussed below.
Silicone sealant and its properties
In search of an answer to the question of how to dissolve silicone sealant, you need to understand what kind of substance it is. The presented compositions are used for coating joints and joints on various surfaces. This material protects against moisture penetration, improves the thermal insulation quality of the finish.
It is made on the basis of special rubber. The composition (depending on the scope) includes various additives. In the air or under the influence of other chemicals, the mastic becomes solid and durable.
Such a sealant is often used when decorating a bathroom, creating aquariums, pools, as well as when arranging ventilation systems.
Features
Silicone sealant is a very durable substance. If it hardens, removing the glue will be extremely difficult. It becomes one with the finishing materials. Therefore, the faster the correction, the better.
When deciding how to dissolve silicone sealant at home, it is necessary to take into account the drying speed. It depends on the thickness of the layer. 2 mm of glue completely dry in a day. After that, it will be extremely difficult to remove the protruding sections. Even after 20 minutes. after application, silicone can stick so tightly that it will be difficult to do something with it.
Therefore, when doing repairs with your own hands, it is better to prepare all the means for dissolving the sealant in advance. If during the work the glue gets on the finishing material, clothes or leather, it should be removed immediately. Dry silicone is difficult to remove even with strong chemicals.
Features of elimination
Each type of adhesive such as silicone sealant has special qualities and properties. How to dissolve this substance depends on its variety. There is a universal, sanitary, automotive and aquarium sealant.
The first variety is most easily amenable to the influence of various chemicals. It is also necessary to consider what type of surface the substance fell on. Most often, glue has to be removed from glass, ceramic tiles, sinks. He can remain on the countertop, and sometimes gets on clothes or hands.
For each case, there are means. Some people try to clean surfaces mechanically. However, this is a pretty bad idea. Especially when it comes to tiles, glass or countertops. Yes, and clothes can be damaged by applying mechanical forces. Therefore, dissolving silicone sealant will be more correct. But this process should be treated responsibly.
Expert Advice
It should be noted that there are a number of features when removing glue. How to dissolve a dried silicone sealant will depend on the type of base. If the glue has not yet had time to harden, it is very easy to wipe it with a damp cloth.
But if during the first 20 minutes. the repairman did not notice a silicone stain on the material, the procedure for removing the sealant is much more complicated. The fact is that not every surface can be treated with chemical agents. The solvent will easily damage the skin, colored fabric or painted surfaces.
Therefore, in such conditions, removing silicone becomes an almost impossible task. It will be wiser to monitor the cleanliness of the surrounding objects during the application of the sealant.
Glass
If this material was stained with glue during the sealing of window panes and an aquarium, you can use one of the following chemicals. In search of an answer to the question of how to dissolve silicone sealant to a liquid state, special chemical agents should be considered. This, for example, Penta-840, white spirit.
These are special solvents released to remove such glue. However, their cost is quite high. White spirit is considered universal. It is applied for a certain time to the surface. Further, the substance, together with the softened sealant, is removed from the surface. If desired, you can try to use gasoline or kerosene as a solvent. Their cost will be less, but the effectiveness is worse. Therefore, to process the surface will have to spend more time and effort.
Tile
When deciding how to quickly dissolve silicone sealant on a tile, it is necessary to evaluate its quality. If this lining does not withstand the effects of chemical elements, special solvents such as white spirit and Penta-840 will not work. The tile will lose its aesthetic qualities, it will crack.
In this case, have to be patient. Gasoline or kerosene rub the unseemly areas until the silicone softens. Then it is rubbed off the surface simply. Do not use abrasive products. Because of them, scratches form on the tile.
Countertop
When they equip a new sink in the kitchen, a small amount of sealant can get from under it onto the countertop. If you react quickly, a rag with gasoline or kerosene will help remove protruding glue. Therefore, before starting work, the necessary funds should be prepared for insurance.
But solving the question of how to dissolve the silicone sealant under the sink, if it is dry, will have to work hard. The fact is that chemical special solvents almost always spoil the countertop. Only varieties of natural stone withstand such effects.
Therefore, it is necessary to grind the protruding silicone with a non-abrasive detergent or gasoline. After some time, it will soften. It can be removed from the surface with a wooden spatula. It leaves a minimal amount of scratches.
Even using a detergent, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the countertop. Cheap non-moisture resistant varieties with a long stay of such substances on them are destroyed. Here you can only advise to mechanically remove the protruding sealant.
The work is long and painstaking. But with neat actions, silicone can still be removed.
Clothes and hands
During the repair process, situations when silicone sealant gets on your hands or clothing are not uncommon. How to dissolve this substance in such conditions is of interest to many people. If the glue that got on the fabric was universal, it can be rubbed with alcohol or vodka. These funds are suitable for removing silicone from the skin of the hands. The cotton wool moistened with the substance gently wipe the sealant.
But if the glue that got on the fabric or skin was acidic, it should be removed with a 70% vinegar solution. This method is suitable only for clothing. Burns may remain on the skin, especially if the product is rubbed heavily.
Therefore, if silicone of this kind gets on your hands, you must immediately wash it with alcohol wipes. Work must be carried out with gloves. The clothes are treated with vinegar for 30 minutes. Then, using a brush, rub the silicone remaining on the fabric. This will allow you to quickly eliminate pollution.
Having considered the features that the presented glue possesses, it is possible to independently and quite qualitatively remove silicone sealant from different surfaces. How to dissolve such a substance depends on the base material. Actions must be carried out as thoughtfully as possible. Otherwise, you can damage materials, fabrics or your skin. It is better to remove contaminants immediately, even before the silicone dries.