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Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:14 pm
by gradg
Ok,

So one of the two previous owners of my car decided that a good idea to stop number plate rattle on the rear of the car was to put about 7 or 8 globs of silicone on the paintwork behind the license plate.

I've since put slimline plates on it and now it's visible, needless to say I don't like it and want it gone.

Any tips? I don't want to ruin the paintwork or scratch the paintwork. But surely it can't have damaged it?

Cheers

Re: Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:25 pm
by Deep Heat
Goof off, use as little as possible and wash the area after.

Re: Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:28 pm
by gradg
Deep Heat wrote:Goof off, use as little as possible and wash the area after.


This is obviously after removing as much as possible by hand/fingernail. But is this stuff pretty potent on paintwork is it?

Thanks for the quick response!

Re: Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:37 pm
by Brunsy3.0
Any slight scuffs or minor scratching of clear coat can usually be buffed/polished out

Re: Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:43 pm
by Deep Heat
gradg wrote:This is obviously after removing as much as possible by hand/fingernail. But is this stuff pretty potent on paintwork is it?

Thanks for the quick response!


Yes and no. I'm pretty sure they say it's safe for automotive paint but I wouldn't want to leave it on for too long, if you use the bare minimum required and don't let it sit for too long it will be fine.

Re: Removing Silicone from paintwork (don't get me started)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 3:49 pm
by muzza
Plastic scraper, remove as much as possible first.

Turps, petrol/shellite, citro-clean are all reputed to soften cured silicone.

(But if its RTV goo i don't think they will work on that stuff)

You can also buy Selly's silicone remover but I'm tipping it's basically turps.

Wipe clean, wash down with strong soap, rinse thoroughly then polish with fine compound and then wax.