Removing old bath sealant

disco_monkey79 · 16 Aug 2013

Hello,

The sealant round the bath has gone manky-looking (i.e it's blackened, but still seems to be making an effective seal).

I want to remove it and re-do it, anyone got any tips for methods/products for getting the old stuff off?

Incidentally, the bath is plastic (fibreglass??), not steel.

Many thanks

AndyT · 16 Aug 2013

I used a scalpel with a narrow pointed blade on ours last time. (An X-Acto knife would be very similar.)
It worked but it was a tedious awkward job.
I did try a tube of sealant remover from Screwfix once but it did not seem to make any difference.

Steve Maskery · 16 Aug 2013

The Screwfix remover stuff does work, but it doesn't go very far.
S

fluffflinger · 16 Aug 2013

Sealant remover isn't perfect but it is effective. One suggestion I would make is to use CT1 when you go to reseal. I work in the kitchen industry and our fitters swear by it. I resealed our shower two years ago and so far it's perfect. As a product it can be used in a lot of applications see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD2knVNZoG0 seriously it's for once every bit s good as the hype. Used in conjunction with multisolve it's the simplest way to seal baths showers etc.

Mike.S · 16 Aug 2013

My experience of this task is similar to AndyT.

I scraped it off, using a chisel blade filling knife and an old toothbrush - with the end ground into a chisel like shape (on the belt sander). Latter was OK but not as effective at scraping. It did, however, avoid the risk of damage using a metal blade.

I also used screwfix remover but found it was only worthwhile on the very thin layer of remaining mastic which tended to 'dry-up' and could be removed with a scotchbrite type pad.

Graham Orm · 16 Aug 2013

I use one of these for that job regularly
Great little tool for all sorts. A new blade in this will make short work of it. Also excellent for cleaning debris off tools (plaster adhesive etc), and for cleaning off the black burnt on soot on log burner windows, it peels off like a plane shaving, very satisfying. Tip; keep replacing the blade for most success.