Forum Discussion

3_tons's avatar
3_tons
Explorer III
Mar 18, 2014

Caulking Removal...

I've slowly been removing and recaulking the camper one section at a time (right side, then left side). Sometimes a bit slow going yet making steady progress with removal by using mineral spirits and a rag. However, today when moving to the campers front end, I encountered a stubborn type of caulking that seemed impervious to mineral spirits...Not too sure about this latest twist, but I'm thinking that this must be silicon caulk that I'm now encountering...Question: So will mineral spirits work on silicon caulk removal - or whats up??

Thanks for Your Fine Council,

3 tons
  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2014
    dryfly wrote:
    The real killer is the Proflex caulk that most manufactures use on the exterior. It gets very rigid, unlike silicone.

    Will any of the above methods soften or remove it??


    Well as the OP, I'm now convinced that I had encountered Proflex and not silicone...Proflex, some very ridged stuff. got most of it off with mineral spirits, a plastic putty scraper, time and elbow grease. I will say that once renewed, it does result in a superior looking appearance...

    3 tons
  • dryfly's avatar
    dryfly
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    The real killer is the Proflex caulk that most manufactures use on the exterior. It gets very rigid, unlike silicone.

    Will any of the above methods soften or remove it??
  • soren's avatar
    soren
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    I once bought a used pop-up, that was in nice shape, except for the massive quantity of silicone caulk that the previous owner had slobbered over every body seam. It was a pretty grim situation until a local dealership owner told me that they typically use Coleman fuel as a silicone solvent. It worked GREAT. In places where it was too tough to just loosen up with a wet rag, I used a fuel soaked compress covered by plastic wrap. IF you are not in danger of damaging painted surfaces and decals, Coleman fuel will remove all the silicone with little effort. Good luck.
  • MM49's avatar
    MM49
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    hausfrau wrote:
    I accidentally smeared a big patch of caulk on the side of my fiberglass trailer while replacing the exterior shower. Nooooooooooo! At first, I couldn't get it off, but what worked was some Turtle Wax and an old credit card. The wax softens the caulk, and the card gently removed it. Also what works is any citrus-based furniture polish/cleaner (I used orange oil furniture polish).
    \\I found that an ole credit card will fix almost any thing on my RV.
    MM49
  • hausfrau's avatar
    hausfrau
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    I accidentally smeared a big patch of caulk on the side of my fiberglass trailer while replacing the exterior shower. Nooooooooooo! At first, I couldn't get it off, but what worked was some Turtle Wax and an old credit card. The wax softens the caulk, and the card gently removed it. Also what works is any citrus-based furniture polish/cleaner (I used orange oil furniture polish).
  • Weldon's avatar
    Weldon
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2014
    Did you try a heat gun and a scraper to remove the old caulk?

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