for once I've got a question

[69 Runner]

OK....I'm in the process of doing a lot to my Duster (yes, an A body) and while trying to remove the tail lights so I could replace the harness (practically every harness in the car has been cut and spliced a ridiculous amount) I found that BOTH tail lights had been glued in (sealed to) the car with clear silicone. This silicone is on the paint, so scraping it off with a blade is not an option.

So my question is, anyone have a good way to remove silicone from a painted surface without trashing that painted surface in the process???????????????

 

[dbowperson]

A lot of times the silicone will just peel right off, unless it's more of a glue type. You could try pulling as much off as possible, and then maybe a little gasoline on a rag to scrub the rest off? It works well for rubbing off paint scuffs, but don't rub too hard or else you will start rubbing off the paint.

 

[prhousejr]

wal-mart sells some stuff called goo-gone or goo-off I think it is goo-gone. Good stuff I have seen it clean up some nasty stuff. It is cheap and worth a shot.

 

[Max. Max Wedge]

A little WD-40 works good too.

 

[69 Runner]

It's stuck to well to just peel off. Tried that.

I don't know who "built" this car, but they really had their head where the sun does not shine. Gonna be damn nice when I'm done tho.

This goo-be-gone stuff in the automotive section or what?

 

[prhousejr]

Not sure runner. The wife had bought some one time to clean something. I used it in the shop some. sorry.

 

[dantrap]

Hey Runner, you might want to try a heat gun. But be careful not to overheat the plastic. You could also try to cut the edge with an ex-acto knife, pop out the lights and try to clean the remaining material with acetone. dependent on your paint i belive you can find a solvent to help clean the surface up. Regards, DAn

 

[dbowperson]

The Goo B Gone should be in the cleaning or paint section at your friendly neighborhood Big Box store.

 

[prhousejr]

I think that is right......

 

[69 Runner]

Big Box? This is Alvarado son. Ain't no Big Box here! lmao

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

I have had success in the past using a wax and grease remover (designed for surface prep in the bodyshop, aids in removing silicones from the vehicle surface). They come in various strengths and are designed not to attack a thermoset paint. We have them in spray bomb form here. If you get ahold of some, soak a rag and hold it against the silicone, it should attack the edge of the silicone and start to loosen it up. Safety first eh...rubber gloves and good ventilation, Wax & grease remover is fairly volatile.
Btw, use a plastic scraper or a plastic razor blade and you shouldn't mark the surface.
Yes they make plastic razors...

 

[prhousejr]

Plastic razors?!?!?! Could you tell me where? That is a must have, I am always needing to scrape something off of paint.... That is a why didn't I think of that moment. I could be rich.. plastic razors, amazing.

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Lol...bodyshop suppliers have a single edge replica of a razor blade. we use them for adhesive removal, putty application on minute chips etc.

 

[prhousejr]

cool I gotta get some.

 

[69 Runner]

Thanks much all:grin:

 

[godfatherofchry]

also if you go to your auto body suplier and tell him you want the wheel that removes decals it will take it off and wont tuch the paint

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

The stripe eraser could work, be careful not to burn through on painted edges though!

 

[prhousejr]

The stripe eraser could work, be careful not to burn through on painted edges though!

YES. totally forgot about those... That is what you need runner.

 

[69 Runner]

There enough room to get that in to the holes where the tail lights go?

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Nope, they start out around 3" in diameter and the smallest they wear down to is about 2" in dia. Back to the solvent & scraper idea!