Cleanin before caulking ?

[NanciL]

I need to caulk several places on my travel trailer.
Some are at the corner joints, and there are a few places at windows and the door.

I know what I am going to use, but I was wondering what the best cleaning agent is before I caulk?

Most of the joints are aluminum, but a few are plastic, and I don't want to hurt the finish


Jack L

[tcfullersoccer]

Right or wrong, I use mineral spirits and it seems to work fine. So far, the roof hasn't fallen in and I haven't seen the fire department speeding by toward my camper, so I think I'm good to go.

[rgolding]

Anything with Ammonia like Windex will turn Plexiglass foggy. Ammonia is one of those items that needs to be used carefully and kept away from bleach, creates a poisonous gas. Just in case someone didn't know, and to remind all of us. 😉

[NanciL]

MM49 wrote:
Unleaded gasoline. Don't leave the rag sit on the rubber roof.
MM49

Ya-right!
And I'll have a big camp fire blazing right next to where I am working.

Jack L

[Bob_Landry]

NanciL wrote:

Shadow Catcher wrote:
A great deal depends on how much you want to clean e.g. if you are removing the caulk or adding to it. Googone makes a caulk remover, final clean using alcohol.

I don't want to remove any of the old caulk.
Just want to clean the voids.
I was thinking maybe Alcohol

Jack L

Some caulk may not adhere to itself after it has cured. If you don't want to remove all of the old caulk, I would check with the manufacturer of the material you want to use. Personally, I would not waste my time with less than a complete removal of the old stuff and cleaning with MEK or alcohol that will not leave a residue. Anything else could possibly give you an undesirable result.

[MM49]

Unleaded gasoline. Don't leave the rag sit on the rubber roof.
MM49

[thomasmnile]

NanciL wrote:

Shadow Catcher wrote:
A great deal depends on how much you want to clean e.g. if you are removing the caulk or adding to it. Googone makes a caulk remover, final clean using alcohol.

I don't want to remove any of the old caulk.
Just want to clean the voids.
I was thinking maybe Alcohol

Jack L

I have used denatured alcohol to spot clean as you are describing, with good results and no harm to anything.

[NanciL]

Shadow Catcher wrote:
A great deal depends on how much you want to clean e.g. if you are removing the caulk or adding to it. Googone makes a caulk remover, final clean using alcohol.

I don't want to remove any of the old caulk.
Just want to clean the voids.
I was thinking maybe Alcohol

Jack L

[prichardson]

It depends on whether this is an initial sealing or you are resealing. If the previous sealer was silicone based vineger will remove the residue of the old sealer. Also check the information on the new sealer you are using. Some are not compatable with certain cleaning products and will state that informaton.

[MFL]

My dealer recommended using windex with ammonia to clean before caulking/sealing.
I have used it a lot,it works well, and dries quickly.

I've had no surface damage when using this product.

Jerry

[Shadow_Catcher]

A great deal depends on how much you want to clean e.g. if you are removing the caulk or adding to it. Googone makes a caulk remover, final clean using alcohol.