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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Hard caulking removal
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paulz
Member
# Posted: 31 Mar 2021 21:17 - Edited by: paulz
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I need to get this caulking off the used windows in my cabin. Hard as a rock, razor blade won't even scrape it off. I tried goo gone, no help. Brake Clean softens it but also the vinyl. Home Depot has Krud Kuttter caulk remover. Anyone use it?
20210331_1808461.j.jpg
20210331_1808461.j.jpg


ICC
Member
# Posted: 31 Mar 2021 22:06
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No, but I've used heat, both a torch and an electric heat gun. But one has to be careful not to heat crack the glass.

Here in NM in the 60's a lot of homes were built using an iron window frame with many single panes of glass per window; glass panes held in place with putty. When replacing the old windows with newer more efficient ones we would soften the putty or caulk with heat the remove the glass before working on removing the metal frames.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 31 Mar 2021 22:16
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Quoting: paulz
Home Depot has Krud Kuttter caulk remover. Anyone use it?


Yes, don't waste your money. Get a heat gun instead.

old243
Member
# Posted: 3 Apr 2021 10:11
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A multi tool. will take the calking off . vibrating blade. Would work on metal or wood , not sure on glass. I use mine to clean hard bees wax off bee hives. old243

paulz
Member
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 15:24
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Thanks guys. I brought a heat gun up to the cabin, just been bogged down with the paneling project.

Those vibrating multi tools... I bought one, still in the box. Haven't ever figured out what it does better than other tools. The caulking on these windows is on the vinyl, don't think it would work there?

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 16:03
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Im suspecting they didnt expect anybody to refurb one. I had a miserable time with a couple different 'premium' caulks on my RV roof vents. It took me a whole day to clean up around the pair (what? 16ish" square) to pull and reset and recaulk.
My SAK became my primary tool to cut off the 'top' and a stiff plastic scraper followed by wetted paper towels of Mineral Spirits to cut the scum layer.
Good luck

paulz
Member
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 17:34
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Thanks. If the heat gun doesn't work I'll just glue some thin trim strips over it.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 19:03
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Wonder if you could rig up a jig that rides the smooth vinyl frame and/or glass for one of those mini tools to act like a surface cutting 'router' to just knock off the terrible high spots and ugly.
Ive done some freehand Dremel work and found a jig, good eye and a tight hold are the keys to not losing controoolllllll......

DaveBell
Moderator
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 19:12 - Edited by: DaveBell
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https://googone.com/caulk-remover

Cover with clear kitchen food wrap, let sit for about 8 hours.

paulz
Member
# Posted: 9 Apr 2021 20:00
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Interesting, I'll give it a go.

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 10 Apr 2021 00:05
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Quoting: paulz
Those vibrating multi tools... I bought one, still in the box.


I got one recently too. I'm still trying to figure out why they are so great. So far, on the tasks I've used it for, an alternate method was better.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 10 Apr 2021 13:14
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Guess I will hold off on getting one until you guys figure em out

old243
Member
# Posted: 12 Apr 2021 22:33
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I use my multi tool quite a bit. I find it handy to cut small openings in bee hive boxes. Extremely handy if you have to shorten a door and trim . If replacing flooring. Use a hook knife replacement blade, to trim carpet ( google it).As I mentioned earlier, I use it a lot to clean comb from honey boxes, it is a brute of a job with a scraper. you own one get it out of the box, and try it.old243

paulz
Member
# Posted: 20 Apr 2021 15:44 - Edited by: paulz
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Got the last of my windows cleaned this morning. So the drill is heat gun, which softens the large strips and gets it off in long chunks. Then the gel remover softens the remaining thin film to allow easy scraping with a blade. Tedious, boring, thankless work. My specialty.

My used windows (and sliding glass door) were a great deal but I hadn't considered this. Something to think about..

Thanks for the advice guys.

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