Removing old silicon from melamine?

[dr del]

Hi,


Does anyone have any tips on how to completely remove old silicon sealant from melamine board?

I'm planningon building a colubrid rack out of the old "ball pit" I used to use back in the old days but scraping with a stanley blade still leaves some of the sealant marks on the board and it makes it look grubbier than it has to.

I have also learned I am only fit to make boxes to store banannas with a jigsaw.

Not one straight cut in the lot despite my best efforts.

I have the sizes as close as I'm going to get but the silicon marks are really driving me nuts.

Any advice welcomed.


dr del

[wilomn]

The silicon may have stained the material. It may be permanent.

As far as cutting straight, make yourself or buy, a guide. They're easy to use and make arrow straight lines.

[Patrick Long]

Well Derek....

..do you have access to a table saw? that would alleviate the jigsaw English curves!

Here in the states we have whats called Goo-gone or Goo-off, see if you can scrape most of the silicone off, then goo-gone it.

But like Wes said, it may be stained from the actual silicone itself

[dr del]

Hi,

Yeah the guide idea definately sounds like a plan - I never paid attention in wood shop I'm afraid. Next project I get to buy a router and cut some channels for heat cable - at least it has a guide built in and I only have to worry about joining the grooves to make a continuous channel.

It seems to be more a thin skin of silicon rather than marks on the "wood" itself. It has a wood grain texture on it and the blade just doesn't seem able to skim it close enough to remove everything.

I can rub it and get some of it off but the idea of wearing my fingers out trying to get it all off doesn't appeal and I am worried using anything more abrasive will ruin the coating and look just as bad.


dr del

[wilomn]

Try Steelwool or superfine sand paper

[dr del]

Hi,

Just an update for anyone who finds this in the future.


Surgical spirit on cotton wool pads removed it without damaging or staining the plastic coating on the melamine with only a little bit of added elbow grease.


dr del

[frankykeno]

I think that's what we call rubbing alcohol here in the States, not totally sure on this but I think that's the "translation".