Removing silicone from paint?

[M235i_]

Ok, so I may have dropped a proverbial one and removed the previous owners handywork, a rear lip, that is some how bonded on. I'm not 100% sure what it is, but it isn't shifting.
Can I remove this at home or is it a body shop job, or worse?

[rottenegg]

Plastic scraper blades from Amazon and isopropyl alcohol to weaken the bond is your best bet. Hopefully it's just silicon sealant not not Tiger bond urethane body/windscreen glue as that can be a nightmare to remove.

[Weso]

That's probably Tiger Seal or similar. Cut it down as low as you dare with a sharp blade then I'd try some tar and glue remover.
Test it on a bit of paint you can't see first though.
Alternatively find someone with a toffee wheel and get them to do it.

[Mad Maximus]

Can you get the edge to lift with your fingers and a bit of agro? Maybe try and roll it off similar to how you can with silicone then tar remover.

[ChrisNic]

Replace with more tasteful boot spoiler?

[shtu]

I've used (carefully!) very sharp blades to pare-down the bulk, and then a razor blade to shave the last traces off the paint.

The multi-part snap-off blades are about 3" long and quite flexible.

[finlo]

Try WD 40, let it soak for as while.

[swisstoni]

If it’s just basic bathroom sealant that’s been used, you can get specific remover for the stuff.

[finlo]

swisstoni said:

If it’s just basic bathroom sealant that’s been used, you can get specific remover for the stuff.

Not sure of its affect on the paint though?

[swisstoni]

finlo said:

swisstoni said:

If it’s just basic bathroom sealant that’s been used, you can get specific remover for the stuff.

Not sure of its affect on the paint though?

Neither am I. I suppose you could dob a bit of it on hidden bit of painted surface somewhere and see.

[NRG1976]

Dental floss will lift that.

[M235i_]

I've ordered a plastic razor blade so I'm going to give that a go tomorrow. I don't really want to use any chemicals unless I've exhausted all other options.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll let you know if it works if the next few days.

[NRG1976]

M235i_ said:

I've ordered a plastic razor blade so I'm going to give that a go tomorrow. I don't really want to use any chemicals unless I've exhausted all other options.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll let you know if it works if the next few days.

Use dental floss it will do the trick, honestly you risk damaging your paint using blades etc.

[M235i_]

NRG1976 said:

Use dental floss it will do the trick, honestly you risk damaging your paint using blades etc.

I tried floss to get it off, but it just kept snapping on me. Not sure if the floss was strong enough or what.
I'll grab more from Morribobs tomorrow before I try the plastic razors.

[shtu]

Floss only really works on the foam tape sticker backings.

That looks like polyurethane (tigerseal) to me which is a lot tougher. WD40 and Alcohol won't touch it.

Cutting it off (carefully!) has worked for me, 3M make the "stripe-off" wheel for removing adhesive, but I doubt it would work on that.

Spot of heat might make it easier to deal with.

[NRG1976]

M235i_ said:

NRG1976 said:

Use dental floss it will do the trick, honestly you risk damaging your paint using blades etc.

I tried floss to get it off, but it just kept snapping on me. Not sure if the floss was strong enough or what.
I'll grab more from Morribobs tomorrow before I try the plastic razors.

Damn. Have a look at toffee wheels which are supposed to be good, never used them myself though.

[gamefreaks]

I had to clean up some nasty old silicone sealant today. Tried a few things and White Spirit seemed to work best.

So most non-polar solvents should help remove it. I'd probably try WD-40 first.

[KTMsm]

Did you have any success OP ?

I've never found a product that removes Polyurethane easily

[BrownEaredDog]

M235i_ said:

Ok, so I may have dropped a proverbial one and removed the previous owners handywork, a rear lip, that is some how bonded on. I'm not 100% sure what it is, but it isn't shifting.
Can I remove this at home or is it a body shop job, or worse?

You'll need *at least* one rubber eraser wheel (sorry if they're not called this over there, but buy a couple, they're not expensive) and a decent drill with good torque to attach it to, preferably a compressed air tool. It's the only way to get rid of this without knackering the paint, and even then take care.

Set your drill to a low speed and take your time over it. Hold the tool with both hands, let the side of your hand act as a guide. Don't exert too much pressure and don't hold the wheel in the same place for too long or you'll ruin the lacquer.

Edited by BrownEaredDog on Friday 26th July 21:03

[NRG1976]

BrownEaredDog said:

M235i_ said:

Ok, so I may have dropped a proverbial one and removed the previous owners handywork, a rear lip, that is some how bonded on. I'm not 100% sure what it is, but it isn't shifting.
Can I remove this at home or is it a body shop job, or worse?

You'll need *at least* one rubber eraser wheel (sorry if they're not called this over there, but buy a couple, they're not expensive) and a decent drill with good torque to attach it to, preferably a compressed air tool. It's the only way to get rid of this without knackering the paint, and even then take care.

Set your drill to a low speed and take your time over it. Hold the tool with both hands, let the side of your hand act as a guide. Don't exert too much pressure and don't hold the wheel in the same place for too long or you'll ruin the lacquer.

Edited by BrownEaredDog on Friday 26th July 21:03

Toffee wheel I mentioned above?