How to Remove Silicone from a Kitchen Faucet
Silicone caulking is a sealant that plumbers and contractors commonly use on bathroom and kitchen fixtures. This form of sealant is the most difficult to remove. Regular rubbing alcohol will not be strong enough to lift the sealant from a kitchen faucet, as it is with other forms of caulk. To remove silicone from a kitchen faucet, you must cut up as much as possible and then use a strong chemical cleaner.
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Put on thick protective gloves to prevent yourself from cutting your hands while scraping up the silicone caulking.
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Sprinkle water on the caulking to provide a lubricant as you cut the caulk away.
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Hold the utility knife on a 20-degree angle and cut through one side of the bead of sealant. Do not press too hard, or you may cut the faucet. Cut through the other side in the same manner, if you can reach it.
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Pull up all the caulking sealant you can.
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Hold the glass scraper at a 20-degree angle and gently push it under the caulking, removing any that the utility knife didn't get.
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Soak an abrasive scrub pad in mineral spirits. Scrub the area where the caulking was around the faucet to remove any remaining adhesive. Rinse the faucet thoroughly with water.
Writer Bio
Based in Richmond, Va., Dawn Gibbs writes about topics such as history, fashion, literature, crafts, alternative medicine and healthy living. Her work has appeared on GreenDaily.com and several style websites. Gibbs holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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