Last week I tried putting some silicone sealant between my taillight gaskets and the body to help stop them from leaking... well it didn't. I have since pulled the gaskets back off and I'm thinking the dried silicone on the body is actually now keeping the gasket from making a seal against the body.

Does anybody know of a good way to remove the silicone from the metal w/o scraping the paint all to hell? I know it's hidden behind the taillight, but I'd rather not scrape it up and leave a bunch of bare metal showing. Is there any sort of chemical I might could use to maybe loosen the silicone's adhesion to the metal, without eating through the paint?

 

I think a little acetone or naptha will work. I'd test it on a very small patch of paint though. Put a little on a paper towel, and rub lightly for a few seconds in a part of the paint that you wouldn't normally see, ie... under the rear seat if your car is still stripped. If color comes off, Don't procede.

 

wd-40 ?



<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wd website &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've heard that people use WD-40 as a cleaner/remover. What can it be used on?
WD-40 removes sap, tar, adhesives, labels and tape from surfaces without damaging existing paint. It's an effective cleaner for tools, equipment, and vehicles. Use it to remove splattered bugs from the front of cars. WD-40 will even help remove gum from carpet. Just spray, wait, and wipe with a clean cloth.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

WD-40 may work, but it is messy as hell. Pat, if you use it, be sure to clean with simple green or your other favorite degreaser. Plus, I think that WD 40 has silicone in it.

 

naptha, what's that? Seems like I remember seeing it on the label of the zippo lighter fuel I have, or on something else I can't remember.

 

I would say try the Wd-40 or simple green... acetone might take the paint with it
-Mike

 

Naptha is another solvent a little less powerful than Acetone. when using either the thing to be careful with mainly is that you don't rub to hard as previously stated. When you use it i've found it's a good idea to work for a lil bit then walk outside and get some fresh air otherwise you may feel dizzy from the brain cells dying. Work outside if at all possible. Never work with stuff like this in a closed area.


P.S. don't smoke when you do this, because they are both pretty flammable. I hate seeing those threads where it shows tegs burned to the ground. But i know your way smarter than that just gota say it any way.

 

Try using a heat gun and a plastic razor blade .....

 

i have heard of people using simple break cleaner in the can or even carburetor cleaner. also i have seen "lacquer thinner" do the trick? sorry i hope this helps

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SwedBoy2999 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">P.S. don't smoke when you do this, because they are both pretty flammable. I hate seeing those threads where it shows tegs burned to the ground. But i know your way smarter than that just gota say it any way. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I am smarter than that, I don't smoke at all, ever.

I will try some of the things mentioned this evening I guess.

 

WD-40.......................works wonders, trust me, you gotta put a little elbow grease into it, but it is far safer than anything else on here and works great!! If you don't have any, use a strong glass cleaner solvent. I used to work at a glass shop,we had to remove adhesives every day.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">naptha, what's that? Seems like I remember seeing it on the label of the zippo lighter fuel I have, or on something else I can't remember.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly. Except you can pay 11 bucks for a little bottle of zippo fluid, or a galon of the stuff for a little over seven dolars.

 

Yeah I got a bottle of Ronsonol fluid, I think that's what it's called, not actual Zippo brand stuff.

*edit* I have the lighter because I got it for free, and I use it for stuff like heat shrink tubing when doing electrical work, etc., not for smoking.

 

3M general adhesive remover worked for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by imola-red dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">3M general adhesive remover worked for me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

for removing silicone sealant?

The silicone that was on my taillights (plastic) pulled off pretty easily by itself. It's the stuff that's on the car's sheetmetal (that was sandwiched between the gasket and body) that is being very difficult to get off.

 

I don't smoke either, but a lot of people do so one just has to say things like that.