Removing silicone caulking around a spoiler that's taped on with 3M VHB tape?

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12-18-2018, 09:52 PM

calvinnnnn

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Removing silicone caulking around a spoiler that's taped on with 3M VHB tape?

When I bought My06 it had the spoiler on and I never changed it out. Now that I have a duckbill spoiler, I want to remove it. The last person placed the spoiler on some extra heavy duty double sided tape that looks like the 3M VHB tape that I have around the garage. And just to put icing on the cake, they decided to 'seal' it in by applying silicone all around the base of the spoiler. For what? No idea..maybe to prevent water getting underneath the tape? Anyways, I would LOVE to get this old thing out of the way so I can use the duckbill. Anyone have advice on how to take of the silicone without scratching the paint and any solvent that would work on vhb tape without taking off paint as well? Thanks.

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12-19-2018, 04:09 AM

Deckoz

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wd40, fishing line, and a hair drier

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12-19-2018, 06:06 PM

jetboater

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As Deckoz says, use fishing line (or dental floss) to cut the bond between the spoiler and the deck lid.

then use a silicone caulk remover like DeSolvit or Mossenbackers—-both will seep under the silicone and break the bond between the silicone and the painted surface without damaging the paint—(both will even remove dried polyurathane construction adhesive from metal surfaces without damage.)

let the remover soak for a few minutes on the edges of the silicone and it rolls right off—if its a heavy layer, it may take a couple of times to get it all off.

i get mine at a local Ace Hardware—HD or Lowes may carry the Desolvit.