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How to Remove Silicone Caulk from Fibreglass Shower Stalls

By Author Sarah Byrd

Posted on Last updated:

Silicone caulk is a sticky gel looking substance. It effectively works in sealing both doors and windows. This product works with almost all types of materials like plastic, glass, metal, wood, and others.

Its stickiness makes it really hard to remove, so we’ll be giving you some simple methods on how to remove the silicone caulk from fiberglass shower stall.

1. Removing silicone caulk with your hairdryer

You can remove silicone caulk from your acrylic bathtub or your fiberglass shower stall with the use of a hairdryer. Set your hairdryer to a high-temperature setting at preferably 212 °F, then heat at 8 – 10 inches above the surface for 30 – 40 seconds.

After that, use a razor blade to scrape it out. Always ensure that you remove the hairdryer before it stays too long so that it does not melt the silicone caulk as well as the fiberglass shower stall. Remove all silicone caulk before applying new ones, so that they do not impede the process.

2. Removing silicone caulk with your scraper

Chemicals will undoubtedly cost you a whole lot of money which a scraper won’t, and all a scraper needs is your time. Remove the silicone caulk from your fibreglass shower stall by scraping the surface with the scraper. It can also be used to remove silicone caulk from acrylic bathtub without damaging it or scratching it due to its flat surface.

You can make use of the Homax plastic caulk remover tool, which possesses an angled tip to remove silicone caulk from the edges without scratching.

3. A Harsher Method

If the above methods do not work for you, it’s probably best to apply this procedure. For this occasion, you’ll be needing the various tools and supplies; abrasive pad, a utility knife, bleach, toothbrush (preferably spare or unused), and a silicone caulk remover.

  1. First start by cleaning the dirt on the surface of your fibreglass shower stall.
  2. Next, you’ll want to apply the caulk remover (mineral spirits or lacquer thinner). It helps to soften the silicone caulk and reduce the time you spend on it. Leave the silicone caulk remover on the silicone caulk for 15 – 20 minutes to let it work effectively.
  3. Position the sharp utility knife or painter’s tool at a low angle and cut through the silicone caulk. The position of the utility knife matters a lot as it determines the neatness of the work. Scrape out the silicone caulk step by step and if they appear to be too stubborn, make sure you make use of the plier to pull it out effortlessly. You can also apply warm water on the silicone caulk to make the process easier.
  4. Remove silicone caulk by smearing the whole area with the bleach mixture. The bleach mixture comprises a ratio of 3 to 1 of water and bleach. While applying the bleach mixture, rub the surface with the toothbrush. The toothbrush effectively removes the silicone caulk when you brush it off slightly after the application of the bleach mixture.
  5. If you are not sure whether or not the silicone caulk has been successfully removed, wipe the fibreglass shower stall with an abrasive pad that has been dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
  6. Clean up the simply but thoroughly and leave it to dry for a couple of minutes, and after that, vacuum it until it is totally free from dirt. Efficient removal of silicone caulk from the fibreglass shower stall is done through the thorough cleaning.

In situations where you have to remove silicone caulk from metal and wood, the process is only slightly different.

To remove silicone caulk from metal objects, all you need do is scrape the old silicone caulk with a blade. Wet the surface after scraping the old silicone caulk and rub it with a medium bristle brush. It’s really much similar to removing silicone caulk from fibreglass shower stalls.

For wood, it’s also not entirely different from the removal of silicone caulk from the acrylic bathtub, but here’s the catch – you use a plastic putty knife instead of a silicone caulk removal tool. This method helps in preventing the scratches that might occur when you use a remover.

These various methods of removing silicone caulk from the fibreglass shower stall, acrylic bathtub, and fibreglass tubs are easy tips to follow and learn.

Sarah Byrd
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