How to Remove Silicone From Stained Wood

Use a razorblade to remove the silicone piece by piece.

Silicone is used as a caulk and sealant to protect surfaces from water damage. When the time comes to remove silicone, however, it's a very tedious job. Chemical removers won't react with silicone, so it can't be dissolved away as other forms of sealant and caulks. This means all of the material must be removed by hand. Removing silicone from stained wood takes patience, a steady hand and a few household tools.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Heat gun or blow dryer
• Single edge razor blade
• Sandpaper
• Stain

Instructions

1. Remove any silicone from the area by hand or by gripping it with pliers. Use pliers to remove large stretches of silicone caulk. The larger the bead of silicone, the easier it is to grip and remove.

2. Heat the silicone will a heat gun or blow dryer to make the silicone softer and easier to work with. Be very careful in the amount of heat applied to the area. Overheating any area may strip the finish from the wood.

3. Use a sharp single edge razor blade to cut into the wood. Cut at a very low angle, such as 15 degrees, to avoid damaging the wood, ThePaintStore.com advises.

4. Grab any pieces that have been loosened with your hands or pliers. Repeat the process until all of the silicone has been removed.

5. Use sandpaper and stain to fix any damaged areas of the wood where silicone has been removed. Let the stain dry before adding any other sealant to the area.

References

• ThePaintStore.com: Removing Caulk