What removes silicone caulk...

[Willin']

but won't haze or damage the lexan plate it's on?

I popped out the 16" square lexan plate from my forepeak hatch to refinish it. I had a heckuva time getting the sealant off the hatch but got most of it by scraping.

Now it's time to re-fit the plate in the hatch. I want to get all the old goop off, which feels slick like silicon caulk but is much more tenacious. Scraping scratches the plate.

Any suggestions before I start experimenting? I'm thinking denatured alcohol might be a good choice, but would hate to find out the hard way that I'm wrong.

[Willin']

but won't haze or damage the lexan plate it's on?

I popped out the 16" square lexan plate from my forepeak hatch to refinish it. I had a heckuva time getting the sealant off the hatch but got most of it by scraping.

Now it's time to re-fit the plate in the hatch. I want to get all the old goop off, which feels slick like silicon caulk but is much more tenacious. Scraping scratches the plate.

Any suggestions before I start experimenting? I'm thinking denatured alcohol might be a good choice, but would hate to find out the hard way that I'm wrong.

[Willin']

but won't haze or damage the lexan plate it's on?

I popped out the 16" square lexan plate from my forepeak hatch to refinish it. I had a heckuva time getting the sealant off the hatch but got most of it by scraping.

Now it's time to re-fit the plate in the hatch. I want to get all the old goop off, which feels slick like silicon caulk but is much more tenacious. Scraping scratches the plate.

Any suggestions before I start experimenting? I'm thinking denatured alcohol might be a good choice, but would hate to find out the hard way that I'm wrong.

[George Ray]

Mask off the places that must stay pristine and clear. Do what you must to the strip that will be recoverd with new adhesive/sealant. A few scratches won't matter much to an area that is to be recoated with sealant. I have used alcohol on acrylic (plexiglass) but have not worked with lexan. Don't think that there is much solvent action happening with silicone. Vegtable oil or gojo hand cleaner might be effective (?solvents in gojo?). A quick google on 'lexan alcohol' turned up contradictory info pro and con.

[ 03-21-2006, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: George Ray ]

[George Ray]

Mask off the places that must stay pristine and clear. Do what you must to the strip that will be recoverd with new adhesive/sealant. A few scratches won't matter much to an area that is to be recoated with sealant. I have used alcohol on acrylic (plexiglass) but have not worked with lexan. Don't think that there is much solvent action happening with silicone. Vegtable oil or gojo hand cleaner might be effective (?solvents in gojo?). A quick google on 'lexan alcohol' turned up contradictory info pro and con.

[ 03-21-2006, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: George Ray ]

[George Ray]

Mask off the places that must stay pristine and clear. Do what you must to the strip that will be recoverd with new adhesive/sealant. A few scratches won't matter much to an area that is to be recoated with sealant. I have used alcohol on acrylic (plexiglass) but have not worked with lexan. Don't think that there is much solvent action happening with silicone. Vegtable oil or gojo hand cleaner might be effective (?solvents in gojo?). A quick google on 'lexan alcohol' turned up contradictory info pro and con.

[ 03-21-2006, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: George Ray ]

[Mike Vogdes]

Safety razor blades do a nice job.

[Mike Vogdes]

Safety razor blades do a nice job.

[Mike Vogdes]

Safety razor blades do a nice job.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Try this, it's new from the smart people at Lee Valley:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/assorted/86k0315s1.jpg

These are plastic razor blades from the graphics business... scraping decals off of windshields etc.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Try this, it's new from the smart people at Lee Valley:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/assorted/86k0315s1.jpg

These are plastic razor blades from the graphics business... scraping decals off of windshields etc.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Try this, it's new from the smart people at Lee Valley:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/assorted/86k0315s1.jpg

These are plastic razor blades from the graphics business... scraping decals off of windshields etc.

[Willin']

Thanks guys, looks like careful scraping's the only way. Plastic razor blades...hmmmmn.

[Willin']

Thanks guys, looks like careful scraping's the only way. Plastic razor blades...hmmmmn.

[Willin']

Thanks guys, looks like careful scraping's the only way. Plastic razor blades...hmmmmn.

[Stiletto]

I have found mineral turpentine on a rag helps silicone to ball up when removing in domestic situations. Might be worth a try.

[Stiletto]

I have found mineral turpentine on a rag helps silicone to ball up when removing in domestic situations. Might be worth a try.

[Stiletto]

I have found mineral turpentine on a rag helps silicone to ball up when removing in domestic situations. Might be worth a try.

[Willin']

Ta Mate!

[Willin']

Ta Mate!

[Willin']

Ta Mate!