Getting off... A question about caulk
 

There is a caulk ring on my bathroom floor. I recently got a new toilet, and the base is smaller than the one that was there before. As a consequence, I can see the previous owner's caulk every time I walk in to the bathroom. I scraped their caulk with a putty knife and got it off, mostly. But I still have the scraped up remains of their caulk staring me in the face.

My first thought was obvious: scrape steel wool across the caulk, but I'm afraid of the damage it might do. Are there solvents that are especially useful for caulk clean-up? Maybe some type of scrubber that's not as abrasive but will still get the job done? I don't know if it helps, but I'd guess it's nine-year-old caulk.

Below is a picture, because looking at my caulk may help you give me advice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...aulkresize.jpg

(Sorry about all the puns. I just can't resist when I'm talking about caulk. In fact, my dad had come over to help install the toilet, and he brought the supplies. Afterward, someone asked me what the white stuff on my hands was. I told her, "I was handling my dad's caulk!")

What I would do is take a heat gun to it first, and pull off the larger pieces. A hair dryer may work in lieu of a heat gun, but it will take a lot longer. Then get some Goof Off and apply it with a paper towel to clean up the remaining residue. Goof Off works very well on adhesives, but you'll want to leave the door open and turn on the exhaust fan... it's got a pretty strong smell to it.

Excellent! I already have some Goof Off, so I will try that. I knew the steel wool was a bad idea.

If you feel the need to scrub at it, I'd use an old toothbrush. Stay away from the steel wool.

There are products for removing caulk. I can't remember the name of it so you'll have to check at a hardware store. I used some to remove ancient caulk from around a tub. It worked really well.

Amtex Chemical Company makes silicone caulk removal products. One observation-that floor looks like ceramic tile, and solvents may force dissolved caulk into the porous grout, in which case, you're hosed. If it's embossed sheet goods, I'd try the solvent in a hidden spot first to make sure the vinyl isn't damaged by it.

It is ceramic tile, and it seems somewhat porous itself. There is a bit of caulk behind the toilet as well, so I guess I should test there first.

I appreciate this post. I'm the kind of jackass who would use it as an excuse to buy a sandblaster, and subsequently ruin the floor.

Spot test either Toulene or Xylene. Either of these products can be found at most hardware stores. Definitely read the warning label as the fumes can be overpowering.

That's a shame. Porous tile in a bathroom is a bad plan. Ceramic is a durable medium, but it has to be specced and installed properly for a satisfactory outcome.

Well, today's the day that I attempt to remove my caulk ring. Thanks for the advice, and I'll let you know how it goes. I'm planning on using heat and Goof Off, both of which I have readily available. If that doesn't work, it's on to a specialty cleaner and a green scrubby.

Heat gun works great, but I usually just use my hands to get it off, like peeling it off. But that'll always make a mess, so heat gun + goof off = success. Goodluck

I pulled some doors off my tub and shower, they had caulk around them. She tub and shower were already kindof etched from cleaners most likely so there's an obvious line where the doors were. Otherwise it doesn't look too bad. I used a small putty knife to get the thick portions off and then tried a few different chemicals. Goo Gone did ok but didn't get all the caulk off. I found that nail polish remover worked GREAT. I'm not sure how it would work on the tile but you could test it on the caulk behind the toilet. Also I found that SoftScrub did a good job to finish up. Kindof polished things up a little since it's a little but gritty. That stuff can scratch a tub up though so I would test it as well.

Good Luck.

petroleum jelly does the job when i want to take silicone and caulking off! its also called minelral turpentine! that'd take anything off!

and its not harsh and u wont scratch the floor either

I used a "scrapper" - thingy with a blade to get off most of the caulk. Didn't get any scratches on the porcelain tiles as used it at a low 10 degree or so angle to the floor. Used rubbing alcohol to clear the rest off. Didn't use any commercial cleaners.

I watched a plumber remove silicone calking the other day and he used Methyl Hydrate. It seemed to work great and removed all of it. I would try it on a hidden place first since this plumber was working in my bathroom not his.

Am I the only one who finds this thread extremely funny? I mean, I wouldn't even believe there was a real "How-to" issue if there wasn't a picture! All I can hear is the homonym!

..."nine year old caulk"...

..."caulk staring you in the face"...

O.K. never mind. Did I just break the rules of some elaborate game by acknowledging all this?

Erm - I don't get the joke, aberkok.

Is it an american thing?

Must be a Canadian thing. :)

Canada's IN America aberkok. :p

So's Mexico, and the USA.

Them's fightin' words...

Back to the thread.........

Q: What about for latex caulking, would heat work on this also? I have some old latex caulking on a bathroom vinyl floor I'm to remove.


I know, I've REALLY done it now adding the word "latex" in this thread. :p

I used a heat gun to remove both silicone and latex caulk, but on a vinyl floor, I would NOT use a heat gun. It will end up ruining the vinyl floor.

When I was in Lowe's the other day, I saw that DAP made a "caulk remover" that was sold right alongside the caulk. I've never used the product, but for a couple of dollars, I would probably try that first.