How to clean off old silicone

[Captain Grandpa]

As I clean and polish my tackle I find many pieces with old silicone. My fingernails have been the most effective means of scratching it away (without scratching up the brass) that I have found. Unfortunately it's taking forever and my nails are all broken so short it hurts. Any suggestions?

[Stumble]

A large eraser works pretty well.

[Bluefuss]

Ask at your local building suppley outlet. Last summer I bought a silicone remover and it worked very well. Brush it on and an hour later everything comes off easy. I cant remember the name of it and the leftover is 100 kms away in my RV, but ask around I'll bet you find it. Was kind of a gel that brushed on.

[Reverend Rufus]

The be all and end all of removing silicone, Acetone.

[B26Trimaran]

Lift Off is a green product biodegradable and water-based

1-800-346-1633
www.liftoffinc.com

I used this last summer to remove a lot of silicone and it saved a lot of time and the surface was paintable afterwards. Lowes stocks this in the paint department builders use it to remove silicone on tubs and granite counter tops. Just spray it on let it sit. This does not dissolve the silicone but rather breaks the molecular bond. U.S. Patent 6,929,702

Please note I'm just a sailer and have no connection with this company.

Cheers
B26Trimaran

[justlearnin]

That's the first mates job.