Thanks to this forum, I recently learned that Dow Corning makes a bonafide silicone solvent to "depolymerize and dissolve" cured silicone: DS-2025 https://www.dowcorning.com/applications/search/default.aspx?R=9982EN There is even a .5 litre sample size. However, after talking to Dow Corning and a few distributors for my area, it doesn't look as if a non-business entity can obtain this magical elixir.
The rep from Dow said there was a note in their system for DSR-5: http://www.dsr5.com/siliconeremoval.htm This could be a solvent product available to the common consumer.
Question the first: Does anyone have a source for DS-2025? I figure if it's a product made by the company that makes 795 structural adhesive, then it probably works pretty well.
Question the second: Has anyone used DSR-5? What are your impressions of it? Do you think it removes silicone contamination from gelcoat, or do you still need to physically remove some gelcoat? You know, sanding?
We've had a remarkable warmup here in the Mid-Atlantic region, and a boy's thoughts turn to reinstalling varnished mahogany on his Force 5 (me.) The previous owner had done a less-than-satisfactory job of varnishing the wood, but had done an over-zealous job of gluing it onto the boat with clear silicone. You never want to look at the underside of the wood, because it was so thoroughly contaminated by the silicone, there are fish eyes EVERYWHERE. It's true, the varnish just wouldn't stick, no matter how many times I'd sand and scrub with mineral spirits. At least the top side of the wood looks good now. So, yeah, I'd really like to remove the silicone from the gelcoat, clean up and fill the spider cracks around the faster holes, and get this boat reassembled and back on the water (wearing my drysuit, of course!)
The rep from Dow said there was a note in their system for DSR-5: http://www.dsr5.com/siliconeremoval.htm This could be a solvent product available to the common consumer.
Question the first: Does anyone have a source for DS-2025? I figure if it's a product made by the company that makes 795 structural adhesive, then it probably works pretty well.
Question the second: Has anyone used DSR-5? What are your impressions of it? Do you think it removes silicone contamination from gelcoat, or do you still need to physically remove some gelcoat? You know, sanding?
We've had a remarkable warmup here in the Mid-Atlantic region, and a boy's thoughts turn to reinstalling varnished mahogany on his Force 5 (me.) The previous owner had done a less-than-satisfactory job of varnishing the wood, but had done an over-zealous job of gluing it onto the boat with clear silicone. You never want to look at the underside of the wood, because it was so thoroughly contaminated by the silicone, there are fish eyes EVERYWHERE. It's true, the varnish just wouldn't stick, no matter how many times I'd sand and scrub with mineral spirits. At least the top side of the wood looks good now. So, yeah, I'd really like to remove the silicone from the gelcoat, clean up and fill the spider cracks around the faster holes, and get this boat reassembled and back on the water (wearing my drysuit, of course!)