Removing silicone from steel

[mrcharly]

I had to bed a fitting on silicone sealant - inevitably some of the silicone got smeared around on the surrounding steel. Now I need to paint the surrounding area.

It's mild steel and I'll be using smooth hammerite. Normally I'd use a wire brush on an angle grinder to remove rust, old paint and other contaminants.

What can I do to get rid of the silicone residue?

 

[StuMsg]

use a nice sharp blade (a blade taken out a stanley knife work well) to slice it off has worked for me.

 

[mrcharly]

And you had no problem with paint adhering afterwards?

My steel surface isn't perfectly flat so I couldn't scrape it off. Hence normally using a wire brush/angle grinder.

 

[dwardo]

Wirewool and lighter fluid/nail varnish remover.

 

[ESL Jake]

WD 40 may work as well but it can be a little messy, will need some 'elbow grease' as well though.

 

[StuMsg]

no issue painting afterwards. Any inevitable little left over bits can be rubbed off with a finger as the bond between silicon and steel isnt actually strong in small pieces - or use fine sand paper if your painting anyway - or as above, wirewool. clean down with white spirit or any other solvent (which is normal practice for painting metals to get rid of grease etc.)

 

[StuMsg]

sorry, I missed the bit about it not being flat - as long as all the silicon it off you shouldn't have problems painting.

 

[mrcharly]

Should be able to get my hands on some nail varnish remover, will try that. Thanks.

This is in an awkward position, it's 3" from the waterline on an boat. Still need to complete welding it on, the steelpatch is held on with tekscrews for now.