Removing and putting in sealant around the bath...help pls...?

Question

How do I remove the old sealant around the bath? It seems firmly stuck.

Also, whats the best method of putting in the new one.

Im removing the old cos I made such a mess of it 2 years ago and ive never bothered, but it really needs doing properly.

Any tips owuld be appreciated.

Answer 1

The only way to remove it is to prise a bit up from a corner and pull, failing that, get a stanly knife and cut away from the wall and bath and pull.

To redo it, you would have to have a sealant gun, have a bowl of soapy water and a cloth handy, gun your sealant round your bath, dip your fingers in the soapy water, slightly shake of the surplus and then smooth the sealant with your fingers.
The soapy water stops the sealant sticking to your fingers, and also help to smooth out the sealant evenly if you are making a hash of it, the cloth to wipe up the surface.

If you have an Acrylic bath, fill up with water before sealing, when dry and set, then empty bathwater, you dont have to do this if your bath is steel or cast iron.

Answer 2

I'm not quite sure how to get the old stuff out but I do know that when you are putting the new sealant around the bath, after applying it all the way around, dip your finger in washing up liquid and run it all the way over the sealant. This will make it really smooth and it will look professional. Or, rather than buying the silicone sealant in a tube you can buy sealant on a roll. It is like tape which you just apply. (Make sure the bath is full of water when you use either method though because otherwise the sealant will come away once you run a bath).
Hope it works out for you!!!!!

Answer 3

Mine was removed during the week using a stanley knife or other sharp should do ,get a bathroom silicone from local hardware you need a gun as well normally ,above where the sealant is going put masking tape and on the bath put masking tape start at top and in a constant stream pushing gun trigger the sealant will come out like toothpaste when its done you smooth it in alot of sealants say use a spoon to smooth but best method is lick your finger and smooth along the line when you are happy with job remove masking and hey presto

Answer 4

How To Remove Bath Sealant

Answer 5

You can get special tools for doing this. They have blade that is bend at 90 degrees so you can remove the sealant from both the surfaces it joins at the same time.

They usually include tools for giving a nice finish to the sealant when you re-do it afterwards.

Answer 6

you can remove old sealant by gently scrapping off with a blade from a Stanly knife be care full not to scrape tiles work downwards,to renew use a sealant gun fill bath with water slowly seal along edge tidy with a wet finger alternately you can buy sealant strips [ANY DIY STORE] that have sticky back simply peal and stick on

Answer 7

the best way to remoxe the old is with a razor knife and/or a razor blade glass scraper carefully cut and scrape the old off just a little practice and you'll get the hang of it..now to install the new cut the tube to about a 1/4 inch opening and squeeze it out onto the gap around your tub a little peace at a time then smooth it out with your finger have a roll of paper towels handy and keep your finger wiped clean as you go try you'll see good results good luck.

Answer 8

Use a heat gun to soften it not to hot though don't want to crack the tiles then cut with a sharp craft knife. To smooth out new sealer use one teaspoon of washing up liquid mixed with two tablespoons of water dip in finger and run along sealant.

Answer 9

to remove is very simple, use a stanley blade and cut out old, scrape clean the surfaces, careful not to scratch. Can be fiddly but persiverence is the key, apply new silicone with mastic gun, smooth off with finger, also a bit of an art but perfectly feasible

Answer 10

i used to lay ceramic tile and we used a silicone remover. when u put the new in we would put a small bead along the wall and bath. then take a sponge get it wet just water. press it into the corner and pull the sponge lifting as u go. rinse the sponge off each pass. even if u use ur finger then wet it with just water.