Removing Silicone Sealant

[xJake]

I wanted to remove the wooden frame off of the top of a tank that I'm setting up in order to build my own custom hood with lighting to fit the tank. My mom has a steam cleaner that uses only steam to disinfect and clean things. Would shooting steam into where the frame is sealed be the best way to melt the sealant and remove the frame? Would this damage the glass in anyway? I'm also going to reseal the rest of the tank anyway so melting any of the rest of the sealant isn't really an issue.

 

[Tolak]

You will be able to soften the sealant, but it won't melt, turning liquid & running out of the seam. A heat gun get even warmer, and a nice new razor knife works for removing tank rims, it fits in between the glass & frame.

 

[xJake]

I tried using a razor blade but the frame has a large groove in it where the sealant is that prevents me from reaching the sealant with the blade. Would I be able to soften it enough to where I could at least pull the frame up and scrape away the rest of the sealant?

 

[Tolak]

It's worth a try. The hardest part will be getting it started, once you have it pried up a little you will have a gap where the heat can soften the whole surface.

 

[PaulasPets]

be carefull with a heatgun or any heat at all for that matter. One of our windows cracked when using a heatgun to remove paint from the frame last year. The heat is not bad, but heating the glass up (or cooling it down) too quickly will make it crack!
I would try to just use a sharp knife.

Paula

 

[mr.dark-saint]

Heat ain't going to do anything other then shattering the glass. I'd razor much as I could then reseal it.