Removing silicone caulk is an exhausting and often frustrating task. Many products claim to make the process easier. What makes WipeOut stand out from the rest?
Simply put, when using other products, it’s still difficult and tiring to completely remove silicone caulk. Previous-generation methods are time-consuming and don’t leave a clean surface.
Our goal was to make removing silicone caulk residue effortless, and we’re proud to say we’ve succeeded.
Read on to see how WipeOut succeeds where others struggle!
How do you remove silicone caulk residue?
There are two main approaches to removing silicone caulk.
Mechanical removal (scraping or sanding)
Usually silicone caulk is removed purely mechanically. This can be with a razor blade or with a specialized caulk removal tool. Pros will often try to sand away silicone caulk or get under it with an oscillating deglazing knife.
Using a heat gun in conjunction with these methods can make the job easier, but it can be difficult to judge how much heat is too much for a given removal job.
This method is inexpensive, but it takes the longest and requires the most work. Plus, it’s not easy to remove every last piece of residue, which is mandatory if you plan on resealing (new silicone won’t stick to old silicone). If you value your time (or your back!), you’ll search for something to make your job easier.
Chemically softening
There are many products on the market that soften silicone caulk, such as Goo Gone, Krud Kutter, and Motsenbocker Lift Off. You can also use other chemicals, such as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or WD-40. What do all these have in common? They only soften the silicone, meaning you still have to do all the scraping and cleaning yourself! Plus, you still won’t be guaranteed a clean surface afterwards.
WipeOut actually dissolves silicone caulk residue
WipeOut is the only product on the market that actually dissolves silicone sealants. This means that the bond between the caulk and the surface will be destroyed, making removal much easier. Also, WipeOut will weaken the bonds holding the silicone together, so you can easily wipe away residue with a plastic scraper or even a wet rag.
See it in action below!
WipeOut is fast acting
WipeOut only takes 10-15 minutes to start seeing results. Other products take 2 hours or more, without much to show for it. We know that time is money for pros and DIYers alike, and we don’t want you to be wasting either!
WipeOut doesn’t require elbow grease
Scraping is completely optional. Fragile surface? Tight space? You can reapply WipeOut to dissolve every last bit of silicone residue.
How do I know WipeOut has actually removed all the residue?
Still not sure if all the residue is gone? Here’s a quick test: spray a little Windex or similar glass cleaner on the area. The glass cleaner will preferentially wet the underlying substrate as opposed to wetting remaining silicone residue. This means it will bead up surrounding any remaining silicone residue. If it doesn’t bead up, your surface is silicone-free and ready for resealing!