Caulk removal

Heat gun on LOW to soften the caulk.

Use a PLASTIC scraper to remove the caulk.

There are also chemicals available to soften and help remove the caulk.

That sounds like a good starting point. Have you used any of the removers? If so, do you have one that you would suggest?

Thanks!

I have not used the chemical removers. I like old school methods. :)

3M caulk remover is one mentioned on the forum.

I just watched a you tube video on removing caulk and was surprised when they compared wd40 against a caulk remover and it worked just as good if not better. He just rubbed it on the caulk with a rag and worked it in and let it sit for a few minutes and he used a plastic scraper and it started to come off. It may work with the none silicon stuff. Might be worth a try.

Thanks guys. Will give both of those methods a try.

On my previous trailer I redid the caulking. I found a tool at the local building supply, it was made out of plastic so it would not scratch and it was made for removing calk from corners. Like around a bath tub. Worked great, think that I wore out about 3 of them. Also they had something from "Go Gone" for removing silicone caulk, which helped with cleaning up joint before applying new caulk. I used a different caulk then silicone for redoing joints. It is make for RV use, but I can not remember name.

I would be careful with something like WD-40. The oily residue might create a bonding problem. I have been an architect for 50+ years and in the specification for caulking, it was always called for the joint to be perfectly clean, before installing caulk.

It is possible that WD40 may leave an oily residue that could create a issue with the new caulk sticking. Would hate to have that after all the work that will be required to remove the old caulk.

Am going to start with the heat gun, plastic tools, and a remover made for the job.

Internet told me that naphtha will soften the proflex caulk and then you use mineral spirits to wipe the naphtha off. I tried a little naphtha in one spot and it didn't really do much but maybe it would help to soften it with a hair dryer first. I asked a local old school RV repair guy and he just uses mineral spirits to soften the caulk. Naphtha is white gas commonly used as camping fuel in stoves and lanterns.

I *think* some plastic scrapers are better than others. I used to have one I got at plastics shop and it was great. I just bought one at Benjamin Moore and it seems like the blade's edge gets damaged/dulled too easily.

Finger nail.. Then a eraser. Then mineral spirits and rag. PITA

The best plastic removal tool can be found at any AUTO glass shop. CRL makes it, cheap and way effective.