Removing old caulk after softening it

Brownleaf wrote:
Veebyes, I heard there was controversy about damage caused by the heat gun.enc With fiberglass do I have anything to worry about? Agreed this is a very inexact science.Doug

Yes, there is often a fine line between a useful tool working very well & that same tool doing damage. A pressure washer is another such tool.

Grit dog wrote:

Mel Stuplich wrote:
Cummins12V98
Because the ROOF is where the most RV caulk needing removal is located

Little early for cabin fever up der in Cheeseland ain’t it Mel?

Some guys get a little rowdy after you say "caulk" too many times.

Because removing this caulk on the side has proved to be so messy and inexact- peeling bad into the good causing more problems, for the rest of the side issues I am just going to spot add.With what I am doing right now, I am creating more probems than existed before. The already existing caulk is very tough-thats good, I leave it as is, because the cracks or pin size holes are so small that just adding should do the job. Doug

Veebyes, I heard there was controversy about damage caused by the heat gun.enc With fiberglass do I have anything to worry about? Agreed this is a very inexact science.Doug

This is another 'no easy way' job.

I replaced a TV antenna a few years ago. It was a combo OTA/Satellite dish thing that was factory installed. Never did get a receiver for it & the omni directional OTA antenna was all but useless.

I have removed silicone & polyurethane on boats before so the same method was used on the antenna base. Very very carefully use a heat gun to soften the material & scrape it up as you go.

It takes some fudging around to get the heat/scrape method down but goes steadily once figured out.

Goo-gone sray gel is to liquidy, you have to wipe constantly to keep it from draining lower than the area you are softening. Next time I will use the DAP caulk remover assuming it is a real gel. Doug

Mel Stuplich wrote:
Cummins12V98
Because the ROOF is where the most RV caulk needing removal is located

Little early for cabin fever up der in Cheeseland ain’t it Mel?

Brownleaf wrote:
I see that mineral spirits is a solvent and with a bunch of warnings yet it is reported to be useful in cleaning around caulk issues . Is it safe and wont remove siding coloring etc.? Thanks for all the replies Doug

HMMMM, are you stating your question is about the sides of the RV and NOT the roof???

Mel Stuplich wrote:
Cummins12V98
Because the ROOF is where the most RV caulk needing removal is located

OH really?????? Maybe if people would actually post what they are asking so people don't have to guess may help.

PLENTY of people want to know how to remove caulking in other places other than the roof.

Brownleaf wrote:
I see that mineral spirits is a solvent and with a bunch of warnings yet it is reported to be useful in cleaning around caulk issues . Is it safe and wont remove siding coloring etc.? Thanks for all the replies Doug

Mineral spirits won't eat into the finish of gel-coat, most all fully cured paints or powder coats.
Not is you use it for cleanup, you'll still need to use a different solvent or wash with soap to clean the surface prior to re-caulking. Mineral spirits/turpentine/paint thinner does leave an oily residue.