Looking to remove old, discoloured silicone? Perhaps you need to clean up a spillage of leaked sealant? Either way – understanding and learning how to remove silicone will provide an important skill for any tradesperson, renovator, or homeowner.

Silicone is used in applications all over homes and buildings, from tiles and splashbacks to glass shower screens. Silicone is used to fill joins and crevices and create a water and airtight seal. If any moisture was to get into these seals, it could damage the materials and result in costly repairs or structural damage.

When Will I Need to Remove Silicone?

It may be time to learn how to remove silicone residue if you:

• Can see mould growing within the sealant. Particularly in warm, humid rooms such as a bathroom, it is very easy for mould to start growing. If you see mould starting to take hold, it is best to remove old sealant and redo the seal.
• Notice the silicone is peeling away from the seal. Over time, silicone can peel away from the crevice for various reasons. Once it starts peeling away from the joint, it will no longer provide an effective seal and is best replaced.
• Are looking to install a new fitting such as basin, kitchen top or shower screen.
• Have noticed discolouration of your silicone and cannot clean it off. If you have clear silicone and cannot get it back to a suitable colour, you might want to considering removing it and applying a new silicone seal.
• Experiencing air or moisture coming through seals. If you are looking to ensure your seals are watertight or your home is free of any drafts or air leaks, check and replace your seals if any moisture or air is coming through.

If you have experienced one or more of these circumstances, it may be time to consider re-sealing. Do not fear! Silicone removal can be easily completed in a few easy steps with WD-40 multi use smart straw and a few household tools. The WD-40 Multi-Use Smart Straw will help you remove the unwanted sealant from your bathroom. As the best way to remove silicone sealant, the lubricant penetrates the stuck parts or components precisely and allows you to easily remove unwanted sealant.

How To Remove Silicone from Tiles in 8 Steps:

What You Will Need:

• Protective gloves
• Cutting knife
• Flexible Scraper or Spatula
• Clean Dry Cloth
• WD-40 Multi-Use Smart Straw

1. Prepare the Room

The best way to remove silicone sealant starts with preparing the area you will be working in. As you’ll be using tools and lubricant, make sure you remove any items from the area that you don’t to make dirty or potentially break.

2. Clean the Area

Next, clean the area around the seal. Before you get too much further, give the area wipe down and remove any dirt or debris. We want to make sure the work area is as clean as possible before we start.

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3. Make Sure the Silicone and Working Area Is Dry

Before you start removing the silicone, make sure your working area and the silicone is dry. This is going to make the process easier and safer. If the area is wet, pat it down with a towel or rag or let it air dry. Once the area is dry, you’re good to go.

4. Prepare the Sealant With WD-40 Multi Use Straw

Spray WD-40 Multi-Use using the smart straw into a corner of the silicone sealant you want to get rid of. When you spray the lubricant onto the silicone it penetrates the stubborn parts of the seal and allows you to easily remove the unwanted silicone. The benefit of having the smart straw is it allows you to spray into hard-to-reach areas. The straw allows you to be very precise when spraying, allowing you to get deep into the areas you want and reducing any mess you make while removing the silicone.

5. Cut the Silicone with a Knife

After spraying the WD-40 Multi-Use product, it is time to get to work on the silicone using a knife.  A Stanley knife is generally the safest and most effective option. If you do not have a Stanley knife, ensure you have a sharp knife that you can hold in a comfortable and steady grip.

Start by running the tip of the knife along the silicone, along the inside of the wall. Repeat this running the blade along the other side of the seal. After these two cuts, the silicone will become free and loose.

6. Begin to Remove the Silicone

With the silicone starting to become free, try to pop it out with the knife and remove. If you can get your hands on it, grasp the silicone, and peel it off the surface. If the sealant starts to stick whilst you are peeling it, spray a bit more of the WD-40 Multi-Use using the straw for a precise application.

7. Removing the Remaining Silicone with a Scraper

After you remove the initial strip of silicone, you will see that there are more stubborn pieces deeper inside. All you need to do is grab a flexible scraper, spatula or blade and scrape out the remaining material. Scrape back and forth between the gaps. Once again if the silicone is sticking, you can spray a bit more WD-40 Multi Use with the precision straw.

8. Clean Away Any Mess

Now that you have removed the silicone from the seal or crevice, make sure you properly dispose of the scraps. Clean up any small material left behind using a cloth and some water. If you have methylated spirits, you can also use that. You will also want to make sure you have cleaned up the WD-40 Multi use lubricant. WD-40 is very good at removing silicone sealant but just make sure to completely remove it from the surface before applying any new silicone sealant as they can react.

All you need for cleaning up the WD-40 is a clean dry cloth and mineral spirit. Simply wipe over any areas that have any residue and the WD-40 should be easily removed with mineral spirit.

How to Remove Silicone from Metal

Want to know how to remove silicone from metal? Well, the process is much the same as how to remove silicone from tiles. When removing silicone from metal surfaces, scrape the silicone off with a sharp blade, making sure you are cutting away from you. Just like with the process above, spray WD-40 Multi Use on the silicone to help peel it away. The key difference when removing silicone from a metal surface is to avoid a metal scraper or scrubber when cleaning off the more stubborn material. If you use a metal scraper it will scratch the metal surface. Other than that, follow the same steps. Remove all the silicone and make sure the surface is clean and free of any material or WD-40 before resealing.

The Best Solvent to Remove Silicone

So, there you have it: Now you know how to successfully and safely remove silicone residue. Working with WD-40, we’re confident that you’ll find the WD-40 Multi-Use Smart Straw really is the best solvent to remove silicone. An essential product for every household, the WD-40 multi-use product sits alongside a fantastic range of specialist products for those more extreme jobs. Shop the full range of WD-40 today to clean, lubricate, penetrate, and protect.