Undoubtedly, silicone caulk is the best option for your bathroom. The reason being, it is water-resistant when it dries. But, that also means it is a hassle to take off. Today, we will tell you how to remove silicone caulk from fiberglass shower stall.
Don’t you just hate that silicone mark in your otherwise shiny bathroom?
Fiberglass itself has a very porous nature. Therefore, the silicone gets more difficult coming off of it.
Don’t fret!
We have just the thing for you!
How to Remove Silicone Caulk From Fiberglass Shower Stall – 9 Steps to Do it Right
Some jobs look tough but are easy when you get down to it. Sadly, successfully knowing how to remove caulk from a fiberglass shower stall is not one of them.
Hold your horses!
We will walk you through the easiest step-by-step guide to help you remove that stain once and for all!
Step 1: Gather The Materials
First of all, you need to keep all the materials handy. It is no use getting down to work only to find that you don’t have half the materials.
It will be a bummer, alright!
Therefore, keep the following things at hand:
- Clean Cloth: Having a clean cloth is very important. Because a clean cloth will ensure cleanliness.
- Putty Knife: Again, a putty knife is important as it will help you in getting rid of all the silicone. Moreover, the fact that it scrapes off even cured silicone easily is an add-on.
Tip: Try to buy one which is durable and flexible. They come in handy for many things at home. Hence, invest wisely.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Another important element, rubbing alcohol is amazing to get silicone residue off fiberglass and other surfaces.
- Sponges/Abrasive Rags: You will need them to scrape off the tiny bits of silicone after the rubbing alcohol and putty knife have done their part.
Tip: The trick here is not to go for soft sponges. Meanwhile, you should go for hard ones as soft ones can’t help in getting the caulk off.
- Dish Soap: You will need this to fight the mold and grime. So, keep it handy
- Cotton: This will help in applying the rubbing alcohol.
- Vacuum
Perfect! We are all set, right?
Now that we have all the materials at hand, let’s get down to some serious scrubbing!
Step 2: Clear The Entire Area
At first glance, this does not seem important. You must be wondering:
“What is the use of clearing the area before I get down to scrapping?”
Let me tell you, you can easily get silicone all over the bathroom. The walls, your towels, everything.
Therefore, it is very important to remove and clear everything possible from the bathroom.
Secondly, it will give you space to work.
Step 3: Clean The Surface
Next, you need to clean all the moisture from the surfaces. You can only clean the area that has silicone on it.
If you don’t do so, it will make removing the silicone difficult. Firstly, the moisture forms a protective layer on the cured silicone. Additionally, it will not let the rubbing alcohol and putty knife do its work.
Step 4: Start Scrapping
Once the surface is cleaned, use the putty knife to scrape away the silicone caulk. Usually, it will take only a few initial scraps to clear away the major chunk of sealant.
Tip: Always start from a corner. Never try to break the sealant from the middle. Starting from the furthest corner will give you something to work with. Moreover, keeping the knife at a 25-degree angle will make things easier.
Feeling accomplished, right?
But, here is where the actual fun begins!
Step 5: Dab The Alcohol On
Here, you need to be very careful when you are dealing with rubbing alcohol. Even though it is not that strong, we will advise you not to touch it directly.
You can use a cotton swab or better yet a cotton dab to apply it on the caulk. It has properties that will loosen the caulk and make scrapping easier.
Bonus: Did you know that rubbing alcohol does wonders to clean the fiberglass? So, when you are at it, rub it all over the fiberglass to kill two birds with one stone!
Step 6: Scrape And Scrub Again
Let the alcohol sit for a while. Now, you can easily clean the remaining with the abrasive sponge. Scrub a little hard and you will get the last piece of caulk out also.
Step 7: Vacuum All The Residue
This is a very important step.
Remember: Never wash the caulking down your drain. The reason being, even a small piece can get stuck inside the drain and clog it!
Therefore, we will advise you to use a vacuum cleaner to clean all the caulk that is lying on the floor.
Next, to ensure you have got it all off, wipe away with a wet, clean cloth.
Step 8: Wash The Fiberglass
Lastly, wash away the fiberglass and all the area with mild dishwashing soap and water. The trick here is to apply a thick layer of water and dishwashing soap to the affected area and leave it for a while. Now, scrub it well.
Even if there is no caulk left, perform this step.
But, why?
Many times, when you are done with removing the sealant, you absorb stains when the bathroom dries. This is because you didn’t scrub it well. Hence, it is important to scrub the area even after you think it is clean. Use simple dishwashing liquid and a sponge to do it.
Step 9: Let It Dry
Finally, let the area dry for a good 24-48 hours if you want to apply more sealant. You need to let the fiberglass dry from within. The porous nature does not let the moisture dry quickly. Thus, the long wait. Moreover, if you apply caulk on moisture, it will not cure!
How to Prevent Silicone Caulk from Getting Messy?
Even though it seems that getting messy with silicone caulk is unavoidable, there are certain things you can do to prevent it from spilling over and creating a mess.
- Always use a tape to line the edges where you need to apply it. For instance, if you are caulking the sides of the shower, apply thick tape all around it. Actually, you are making a boundary for yourself to work within. Consequently, you will be able to remove all the extra silicone by just pulling the tape away.
- Be careful when you are cutting the silicone caulk tube open. ALWAYS cut a small hole and work with it. Oh, the hole is too small? No issues, it can always be increased.
- Let the caulking dry properly.
Tip: Use an air dryer or leave the fan on in the bathroom for some time. It will help in making the curing process easier and quicker. Moreover, there will be no tension of the caulk dripping.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, we have discussed the easiest way, how to remove silicone caulk from a fiberglass shower stall.
Undoubtedly, using silicone caulk in the bathroom, especially on fiberglass can have some repercussions. But, that does not mean you can’t use it. It is the best type of sealant and can be used for multiple things.
Therefore, keep a few tools in handy in case some accident occurs.
Happy scrapping you guys!
