Breaking the Silicone Sealant Bond ?

macabethiel · 13-05-2017, 14:13

For some stupid reason when I fitted our shower screen holder to the wall I was not satisfied with just screwing it to the tiled wall but I put Silicone sealer on the surface of the frame as well. I now need to remove the holder from the wall. The screws have come out okay but the frame is well bonded to the tiles

I don't want to risk damaging the wall tiles and have used a thin scraper to try to break the seal but it is much harder than I thought it would be.

Has anyone any advice and do the Silicone Solvents on the market work ?

emjaybee · 13-05-2017, 14:49

I occasionally come across similar.

I use a wide bladed segmented extending knife with a new long blade. Lubricate with something like thinned washing up liquid and slide/cut through the silicone.

Silicone solvents work, but they're designed for removing the sealant round a bath/shower, so may struggle with "hidden" silicone. By the way, you are supposed to put a bead of silicone between wall and frame.

Good luck.

R1cho · 13-05-2017, 15:13

have you got some old bike brake cable and use it like you would to remove a car windscreen?

Thomas61 · 13-05-2017, 17:25

Hi
Cheese wire pulled back and forth or would heavy load fishing line used the same way work

and as plastic/nylon would not mark tiles.

emjaybee · 13-05-2017, 20:27

Hell fire boys! It's silicone not granite!

emjaybee · 13-05-2017, 20:28

Just as I finished the last post summat flashed through me brain...

...you don't reckon 'e used "No more nails" by mistake do you?

Thomas61 · 13-05-2017, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjaybee

Hell fire boys! It's silicone not granite!

Do you reckon you could get a winch on it???

macabethiel · 14-05-2017, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas61

Hi
Cheese wire pulled back and forth or would heavy load fishing line used the same way work

and as plastic/nylon would not mark tiles.

I was mulling over a cheese wire idea and have some decent Pike sized fishing line so I will do a combination of presoaked with solvent gel and pull down with the Cheese Cutter tool.

Plan to do the Job early next week so will post the outcome - thanks everyone.

solarman216 · 14-05-2017, 21:16

I have done this very many times, long blade utility knife is the tool, never had any problems just take it slow to allow the silicon to stretch and break its bond, and never just pull the channel away from the wall, the idea is to provide a very thin wedge between the channel and the tiles, Rick

13-05-2017, 14:13	#1
macabethiel Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Derby Vehicle: Freelander & Jeep GC 3.0 Posts: 4,416	Breaking the Silicone Sealant Bond ? For some stupid reason when I fitted our shower screen holder to the wall I was not satisfied with just screwing it to the tiled wall but I put Silicone sealer on the surface of the frame as well. I now need to remove the holder from the wall. The screws have come out okay but the frame is well bonded to the tiles I don't want to risk damaging the wall tiles and have used a thin scraper to try to break the seal but it is much harder than I thought it would be. Has anyone any advice and do the Silicone Solvents on the market work ?

14-05-2017, 21:16	#9
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,430	I have done this very many times, long blade utility knife is the tool, never had any problems just take it slow to allow the silicon to stretch and break its bond, and never just pull the channel away from the wall, the idea is to provide a very thin wedge between the channel and the tiles, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

13-05-2017, 14:49	#2
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	I occasionally come across similar. I use a wide bladed segmented extending knife with a new long blade. Lubricate with something like thinned washing up liquid and slide/cut through the silicone. Silicone solvents work, but they're designed for removing the sealant round a bath/shower, so may struggle with "hidden" silicone. By the way, you are supposed to put a bead of silicone between wall and frame. Good luck.

13-05-2017, 15:13	#3
R1cho Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wales Vehicle: 1997 LandCruiser Colorado Posts: 4,201	have you got some old bike brake cable and use it like you would to remove a car windscreen?

13-05-2017, 17:25	#4
Thomas61 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Hampshire Vehicle: Terrano but now Honda CRV Posts: 658	Hi Cheese wire pulled back and forth or would heavy load fishing line used the same way work and as plastic/nylon would not mark tiles.

13-05-2017, 20:27	#5
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	Hell fire boys! It's silicone not granite!

13-05-2017, 20:28	#6
emjaybee Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Oxfordshire Vehicle: 3.0Di SVE '05 5 door. Posts: 1,536	Just as I finished the last post summat flashed through me brain... ...you don't reckon 'e used "No more nails" by mistake do you?