13 replies to this topic

[Wacker]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if there is an easy way to remove silicone from glass? I'm talking about smudgy bits from when the tank was made, just big lumps that can just be scraped off.

Is there a product that is easy to use to clean the front glass of any silicone residue?

Hopefully something that doesn't eat away at the silicone in the joins if I happen to get any on it?

Wacker

[NicholasC]

I would have said acetone, but that will eat away at your joints. It is what is in nail polish remover just straight acetone is strong stuff. But seen as it is almost water like it would leak down on your joints.

[hlokk]

If its going to eat away silicone as a smudge, it will eat away silicone on the joints. Its the same material, its going to have the same effect. If you get a really sharp new razor you can sometimes remove it.

If you find something that dissolves silicone, place that surface flat and use a paper towel, or cotton wool bud to rub at the specific area you need. Then wipe away with another one soaked in water a couple of times before washing it. Though, i doubt acetone will dissolve cured silicone, pretty much nothing does unless you can find yourself some hydrofluoric acid. Though that will dissolve your glass too . Pretty much anything that will eat away silicone will be nasty nasty stuff. Just use a sharp razor.


edit: Now that i think about it, although most things might not dissolve silicone, they might soften them enough for a razor to work. Maybe try soaking the area in acetone or strong vinegar, then try the razor.

[Neakit]

isnt hydrofluric acid the stuff that eats ur bones away if u touch it??

[NicholasC]

lol a thing form the movies i think :roll: You can buy it at bunnings and you use it as a heavy duty dissolver of things. It isn't like it is depicted in the movies where someones hand is bubbling and popping while melting lol

[Neakit]

no im talking bout an acid that goes through ur skin and does disolve ur bones, i have heard that some of the mines use it and people have died from contact

[Cicolid]

The best way to remove Silicon is by using a new razor blade.

This is what I do when I remove or replace a panel.
I have been doing it this way for years without any hassle, forget your chemicals.

Any residue can be removed by using Methylated Spirits on a scouring pad.

HTH

Col

[ant747]

yeah, i was going to say that, razor all the way, and i what you can get at bunnings it hydrochloric acid, hydrofluric is a flouride and can only be stored in teflon holding containers, if it comes in contact with your skin, and is in high concentration, it can burn through to your bones, the actually kill you, because it doesn't decrease in strength, if you get to a hospital they inject stuff into your bones, but the chances of survival is quite silm

[hlokk]

lol a thing form the movies i think :roll: You can buy it at bunnings and you use it as a heavy duty dissolver of things. It isn't like it is depicted in the movies where someones hand is bubbling and popping while melting lol

If bunnings stock hydroflouric acid it would be a super-weak solution. Think of hydrochloric acid for cleaning, hydrochloric acid for pools and hydrochloric acid from a chem supplier. Pretty much everything is relatively harmless in low does (like with homeopathy, lol).

Concentrate hydroflouric acid is absolutely nasty stuff. Its corrosive and highly toxic. It cant be stored in glass containers because it eats aways at it. It can burn under your skin for hours before you even notice much pain, but by then it can be too late. Some excepts from wikipedia:
"Symptoms of skin exposure to dilute HF are not felt immediately, but exposure of 10% of the body to it can be fatal, even with medical treatment. Highly concentrated solutions may lead to acute hypocalcemia, followed by cardiac arrest and death and will usually be fatal in as little as 2% body exposure (about the size of the sole of the foot). This substance should be handled with extreme care, beyond that accorded to hydrochloric, sulfuric, or other mineral acids."

"Hydrofluoric acid which comes into direct contact with the fingers can severely damage or destroy the tissue underneath the nail without causing any damage to the nail itself."

"Under most circumstances, hydrofluoric acid exposure results in severe or even lethal damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, and nerves"

"If coming in contact with human skin or bone the acid can severely burn and then decompose the bone, potentially necessitating amputation of the affected limb/s."

Hydrofluoric acid can decalcify bone so it can "dissolve" them. Neakit, its very likely what you are describing.

[Neakit]

it really is nasty stuff hey.. 8O 8O

[RedCod]

No need for chemicals. As suggested by others, just use a razor blade. I recently had to do this and it turned out great - job done, zero scratches.

[Wacker]

Thanks guys..
Looks like Razor is the go, just wasn't sure if it would work on the real thin smudges.. I guess it does.

Thanks for the chemistry lesson too!!

Wacker

[nairda]

Glad you didnt try hydrofluoric acid. That stuff is more powerful than the sulfuric acid in your car battery

[BiGz]

Yes look for a good quality scraper, basically a razor blade with a handle, also helps to wet the surface first and if you can use a bit of water with washing up liquid which makes the blade run over it smoothly and should get all residue off aswell without scratching. Avoid using a blunt or rusted blade