Clean window caulking

[Chris R]

Some of the sticky grey window caulking has squeezed out and has been smeared on the black window frame. Does anyone know how to clean it off without removing the black paint on the window frame?

Chris

[gbaglo]

Reace told me to get a plastic putty knife ( 1" or so blade ) from a paint or hardware store. Cost about $1.49 and did the job. Best done on a warm day when the putty is softer. Easy.

[Donna D.]

That's butyl. It's always best to use a plastic knife and cut the part that squished out as soon as it happens. Pretty normal actually.

[Jrn56]

We were given a small plastic tool for this during our orientation.

[Chapitre]

I used a credit card when the putty was nice and soft in Florida. Just kept pressure on the edge of the window for a smooth line, worked well.

[Donna D.]

I'd use acetone to clean off the butyl on the window. Won't hurt the gelcoat, just be careful or you'll end up waxing. Fingernail polish remover would work. I think the window frames are powder coated rather than paint. At least they are on my old Scamp.

[Brian B-P]

I used plastic scraping blades which fit in a holder intended for the old double-edge razor blades (which are still used for scraping, if not shaving). I tried the orange (general-purpose, softer) version. They work reasonably well, and don't damage the gelcoat if used reasonably... but that putty stuff is still a messy nightmare. I'll have to try some acetone...

[PGDriver]

If you do it in the rain or run water on it while removing it doesn't smear, I used a glaziers fiber stick (vinyl stick sharpened like a chisel). If any has smeared on the window frame or the rubber use WD40 on a rag and it comes off. Don't get acetone on the window seal rubber as it can swell and damage it, all I used at work was WD40 and never had a problem.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I'd use acetone to clean off the butyl on the window. Won't hurt the gelcoat, just be careful or you'll end up waxing. Fingernail polish remover would work. I think the window frames are powder coated rather than paint. At least they are on my old Scamp.

Fingernail polish remover is basically just acetone with perfume and colorants added.

[gbaglo]

Not that you care, but acetone is one of the natural chemical components of apples.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Fingernail polish remover is basically just acetone with perfume and colorants added.

That's true and most households with females already have it! It's more expensive than plain ole acetone you'd buy at a hardware store however. But if you have it on hand, you save fuel in your vehicle.

I used several bottles of fingernail polish remover to remove "kid stickers" off the front plexiglass of my Scamp. Zero damage to the window.

[gbaglo]

Or you could rub it with an apple for a really long time.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Fingernail polish remover is basically just acetone ...

Usually true, but...
Since acetone is unpleasant to deal with, there are also fingernail polish removers which are not based on acetone; for instance, they may use ethyl acetate. I don't know if ethyl acetate is effective on butyl putty, and I've never noticed it being sold in a hardware store. If grabbing polish remover as an available alternative to straight acetone, I suggest checking the label.

[Devil Dog]

Acetone has been banned from my work area and building. See the WHIMIS data sheet.( link ) Todays nail polish remover is different .
WD40 is a better choice.

https://ca.vwr.com/ca.vwr.com/en_CA/images/0150.pdf

[gbaglo]

You can't bring an apple for lunch?

[Chris R]

Thanks all. Just so you know, acetone will not hurt the gelcoat of the trailer, but it will dull or remove the black surface from the windows. After using it, just apply some wax. In my previous life, I made fibreglass sailboats and used acetone extensivly (for better or worse).
To clean the window, I used a retired credit card (nice sharp edge) and WD40 to clean up the grey goo. Now I just have to get rid of the WD40 stench.
Chris

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Chris R

...Now I just have to get rid of the WD40 stench.
Chris

Acetone...?

[itoddday]

Similar to Nail Polish Remover... smells just like it.

[gbaglo]

I have no WD40.
Switched to pleasant smelling Jigaloo.

[itoddday]

I wonder if Goo B Gone would work. Its citrus based... (I think Goof Off may be way to harsh for this) I have the same problem on my 5.0 around the window. I was afraid to mess with it. I don't like it around the windows as it looks bad.