Best Way to Remove Exterior Caulk

manyman297

My 2021 400 needs some resealing done on a couple of the portal windows. It sounds like Geocel 2300 is the sealant of choice. What's the best method of removal of the old sealant? 

Slackers

To remove caulk around the exterior shower box I used a plastic putty knife to carefully pry off the old. I then cleaned it up with denatured alcohol. I used a Geocel product but don't recall which. 

manyman297

Awesome. Thanks!

Horigan

Even a better cleaner is 3M Adhesive Remover.

Slackers

I used Geocel 2810 Pro Flex RV Flexible Sealant around the shower box.  I purchased it from Amazon.

Gkopan

For removal of remnants of old exterior caulk on exterior siding left after scraping most off, would mineral spirits be fine?

Gkopan

manyman297

@Gkopan A lot depends on the type of adhesive but I've used mineral spirits with good success on Geocel products. I always start with rubbing alcohol and work my way up to more extreme measures.

Gkopan

Thank you

Horigan

WD-40 is also a surprisingly good adhesive remover.  Also consider 3M Adhesive Remover, which I find to be very effective and safe on all surfaces I've tried.

manyman297

@Horigan Yes! WD-40...I always forget about using it but lately I've had good success using it on a lot of adhesive residue.

Basil48192

@manyman297.  Just a hint: Have all surface prepared, clean and ready before you open the tube.  I found that the Geocel products set up quickly....even in the tube once it has been opened.  Towards the end of my caulking it was getting harder and harder to smooth out the bead with my finger.  

manyman297

@Basil48192 I’m going to try Quad OSI this time around. Geocel didn’t last and Sikaflex 221 didn’t stick to the acrylic windows. I found Geocel difficult to get a clean bead. Using automotive masking tape (the green stuff) I was able to get a crazy good bead laid down but it just didn’t want to adhere fully to the porthole windows.

Basil48192

A quick comment about removing old, exterior caulk.
I found that Goo Gone Spray Gel Adhesive Remover really works well to remove the old caulk.  I rub it into the joint with an old cloth to prevent dripping.  After a few minutes the old caulk softens quite a bit.  Then I use the plastic 'chisels' shown below to scrape the gooey mess off.  The plastic doesn't scratch the finish and it can be easily sharpened with a fine grit sandpaper. Lastly, I clean the joint well with rubbing alcohol before applying new caulk.  I hope this helps!