Removing silicone from Aluminum???

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I am currently working on a Pontoon boat that was previously patched with a silicone fiberglass mixture. I don't know why I thought this job would be fun...anyway.... There is a crap load of this stuff on there. Is there anyone that knows a low cost method of removal?
Reply:Ouch.I apply a 3m gel product which breaks down the silicone.  It doesn't dissolve it, but it does make it "let go" so you can brush it off after sitting overnight.The thing is that the solvent can take a long time to work its way through thick silicone, so I remove the bulk of it with a chisel, or the easiest way is with a Fein tool and a scraper blade.
Reply:Can this gel be purchased at box stores?
Reply:gasolineBlackbird
Reply:Might want to swing by the auto-body supply stores.  Silcon is death on paint (tire shine for example).  They should be able to tell you what cleans it up best.  BTW, in the body shop, even vapors are enough to screw things up (fish eyes).Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by con_fuse9Might want to swing by the auto-body supply stores.  Silcon is death on paint (tire shine for example).  They should be able to tell you what cleans it up best.  BTW, in the body shop, even vapors are enough to screw things up (fish eyes).
Reply:Originally Posted by 19662Can this gel be purchased at box stores?
Reply:Bad thing is.....these patches weren't leaking. I pressurized each pontoon and told customer this...he said fix it. I don't have to paint anything. Just remove the god awful globs of silicone and plate and weld. Thanks for the tips as always fellas!!!
Reply:Heat it up with a propane torch and scrape it off. Lacquer thiner to clean it up.
Reply:i heat with torch, scrape , clean with acetone  heat again not real hot ,then SS brush, acetone again run a weld to see if it is clean if clean weld up. if not-- clean again.i have seen it all on pontoons --wb weld ,silicone,old black jack tar, and bondo... list goes on if worst comes to worst,,,,, grind all out and big patch.idealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441