How to remove old, no longer so flexible, sealant, and the things sealed with them?

[MarionK]

Currently I need to remove at least one fridge vent, longer term, I'd like to refresh/replace the black flexi sealant that is all over the place with white.
Having tried removing the fridge vent, I'm at a loss as to how this can be acomplished. I've been sort of scooping out the old sealant with an old knife, but it's really hard work. Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Jev88]

A) is there magic chemical -acetone? That would dissolve old sealant?
B) cheese wire across surfaces or some use flat bladed multi tool.

 

[MarionK]

A) is there magic chemical -acetone? That would dissolve old sealant?
B) cheese wire across surfaces or some use flat bladed multi tool.

I have white spirit which does clean off the smears nicely, the problem would be how to get it under the items sealed down. Cheese wire might be the answer! Thanks.

 

[rolosroller]

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[WESTY66]

Currently I need to remove at least one fridge vent, longer term, I'd like to refresh/replace the black flexi sealant that is all over the place with white.
Having tried removing the fridge vent, I'm at a loss as to how this can be acomplished. I've been sort of scooping out the old sealant with an old knife, but it's really hard work. Any suggestions gratefully received.

You think you have problems!! I may have to get not one but TWO satellite dish bases off the roof!!
Anyone want the job?

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[tonka]

As an alternative to cheese wire I have read in the past about using strimmer wire.

 

[MarionK]

As an alternative to cheese wire I have read in the past about using strimmer wire.

My strimmer wire is too thick, not sure it actually comes thin enough. Proper cheese wire is probably too thick too really, but I have other stuff that is thin enough.

 

[buzz1]

Hi
Try sharp stanly knife around edges

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

What about dental floss? Would that work??

 

[Terry]

The multi tool with a sharpened blade is the easiest but remember to mask around the vent so you don’t scratch the paintwork. Also you can use a sharp filling/paper scraper

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[Raul]

A very sharp putty knife, or a sharp small filling knife / spatula. The gel silicone remover from local tool station didn’t work for me. I had to remove some old failed sanitary silicone, a combination of sharp utility knife blades and the spatula did the job.

 

[MisterB]

You think you have problems!! I may have to get not one but TWO satellite dish bases off the roof!!
Anyone want the job?

Will it be the bases that you're keeping or the motorhome underneath....

 

[scotjimland]

White spirit and an old bank card ..

 

[Ditcha]

I use one of these when a multi tool can't reach cuts like butter.

Car Windscreen Windshield Removal Tool Glass Window Cutting Wire + Handles Kit | eBay

Car Windshield Removal Tool Windscreen Window Glass Cutting Wire+Handles Kit. Wire Length: approx. Due to light and screen difference, the item's color may be slightly different from the pictures. No Instructions Included.

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[ivorantony]

I used a multi tool with a large stainless steel scraper head to remove a stuck down solar panel yesterday, I’ve done it before with a pallet knife taking most of the day and leaving me with sore hands and knees, after suggestions on here to use a multi tool it was a revelation,
Ten minutes work to remove panel and clean up the roof,

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[Bucket]

I recently had great success resealing ALL the windows and rooflight. A friend recomended using fishing line, it worked a treat alongside the skinny putty knife. I'm no angler but a neighbour is and gave the advice to use a version that has more friction. I knocked up a couple of handles from some dowelling to hold it.
Regarding the fridge vents, if they are Dometic ones the built in catches are really tight, in fact they don't need sealant, If in doubt what type you have post a picture....

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Many of the Sikaflex type sealants are much more of an adhesive. There isn't really any solvent for them, even if you spill before it is set, so you need to mask up and wipe off.

As others have said only way to remove those is laborious with combinations of cheese cutter wire (some of the windscreen wire cutting tools can be most effective, or the DIY alternative with fishing line), or sharp pallet knife. With the latter real care is needed to avoid digging into the paintwork.

Fridge vents do usually remove by some form of latching process. May well be stiff but they do slide or twist. The vents need to be removable to allow fridge servicing.