I just picked up an old Oberndorf Model B sporter that someone had glued a cheek piece on with silicon. The stuff is soft but it really attached to the wood and OOOO steel wool simply removes the finish and wood around the globs of silicon without removing it. I tried naptha and goo remover but no luck. Any ideas?

Green Scotch bright and paint thinner. or WD 40

It will not dissolve the silicon but it will reduce is adhesion to the wood

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I just picked up an old Oberndorf Model B sporter that someone had glued a cheek piece on with silicon. The stuff is soft but it really attached to the wood and OOOO steel wool simply removes the finish and wood around the globs of silicon without removing it. I tried naptha and goo remover but no luck. Any ideas?

Diesel/Stove oil & 0000 steel wool.

Hi,

Once silicone enters wood grain it is nearly impossible to remove completely. Refinishing over wood with any silicone in it will cause you to pull on things you don't want to. Try paint and varnish remover or any of the hottest thinners you can find. Apply the paint and varnish remover liberally and cover with Saran wrap or similar to hold in the volatile agents and minimize evaporation and be patient. Good luck.

Stephen

Wd40

From General Electric:

Cured Silicone Caulk
It is difficult to remove silicone from a surface. However, if you must remove it, follow the suggestions below. First, remove as much as possible by cutting/peeling/scraping excess caulk from the surface.

* For ceramic tile, marble, Formica®, fiberglass, etc., use 100 percent mineral spirits (turpentine) and a non-abrasive scouring pad. Test the mineral spirits on a hidden area of the surface to ensure that discoloration will not occur. If discoloration does occur, contact the manufacturer of the surface for further assistance.

* For glass surfaces, use a razor blade to remove as much as possible, then apply mineral spirits. Remove excess with a towel or other suitable cleaning utensil that will not mark the surface (such as a nonabrasive pad).

* For surfaces that are hard plastics or painted, use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth. Do not use mineral spirits. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed.

* To remove caulk from a porous/rough surface (concrete, brick, wallpaper), remove as much of the caulk as possible (same as smooth surface). If necessary, use a wire brush in conjunction with mineral spirits.

NOTE: We do not recommend use of a wire brush to remove caulk from wood surfaces, as doing so could damage the wood. Also, mineral spirits should not be used if the wood has any type of finish on it. Test solvent on a hidden area before applying.

Mineral spirits are flammable and should be used away from sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition. Only use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and follow all safety precautions and instructions listed on the product label. When solvents are used, proper safety precautions must be observed.

Special notes about silicone caulk: There is nothing that will dissolve silicone. If you are reapplying silicone to the area, remove the old caulk, and then clean the area with a disinfectant. If mold or mildew is present, apply rubbing alcohol. Let the area dry before reapplying silicone. Do not use soap to clean surfaces to be sealed because silicone will not adhere to surfaces covered with any soap scum present.

Thanks everyone. A combination of WD-40, Goo-B-gone and elbow grease applied with OOOO steel wool seemed to get the majority of it off. Once I fit a recoil pad and lightly re-finish the butt it should look good enough for who it's for.

Phil, lacquer thinner will cut silicon.

Another one that works pretty good is white vinegar, either with steel wool or a coarse burlap.

And elbow grease, don't forget the elbow grease.

http://www.ellsworth.com/displ...Removal_Solvents.pdf

Dow Corning® OS-2 Silicone Cleaner
and Surface Prep Solvent
■ Primary Use – Removing oils, greases, waxes and sealant
residue—especially silicone; cleaning surfaces to be painted,
bonded or sealed; replacing VOC solvents.
■ Special Characteristics – VOC exempt (VOC = 0 g/L).
Certified as a Clean Air Solvent by the California South Coast
Air Quality Management District. Easy to use, low in toxicity,
essentially odorless. Safe on plastics and non-corrosive to metals.
Ideal for diluting and tailoring the viscosity of silicones.
■ Applications – Cleaning plastics, metals, other surfaces, or
preparing these surfaces for painting, bonding or sealing.
■ Limitations – This product may not remove highly polar contaminants

Acetone will leach out silicone from wood fibers it will also require a stock refinish as it will remove everything else as well .

Toluene is a common solvent, able to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants .

http://www.microchemicals.com/solvents.html

Well ventilated area NO open flames and keep your hands out of it / wear protective measures !!!.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc224/375:
http://www.ellsworth.com/displ...Removal_Solvents.pdf

Dow Corning® OS-2 Silicone Cleaner
and Surface Prep Solvent
■ Primary Use – Removing oils, greases, waxes and sealant
residue—especially silicone; cleaning surfaces to be painted,
bonded or sealed; replacing VOC solvents.
■ Special Characteristics – VOC exempt (VOC = 0 g/L).
Certified as a Clean Air Solvent by the California South Coast
Air Quality Management District. Easy to use, low in toxicity,
essentially odorless. Safe on plastics and non-corrosive to metals.
Ideal for diluting and tailoring the viscosity of silicones.
■ Applications – Cleaning plastics, metals, other surfaces, or
preparing these surfaces for painting, bonding or sealing.
■ Highly polar contaminants Limitations – This product may not remove highly polar contaminants

Acetone will leach out silicone from wood fibers it will also require a stock refinish as it will remove everything else as well .

Toluene is a common solvent, able to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants .

http://www.microchemicals.com/solvents.html

Well ventilated area NO open flames and keep your hands out of it / wear protective measures !!!.

Sounds perfect but since it is winter here in the artic and the temps feel definately polar I hope it works

Thanks