Removing silicon residue from glass

[serbusfish]

I have just removed a filter box and foam background from my tank in preparation of it becoming a saltwater setup, however despite removing the silicon blobs with a razor blade there is still residue left on the back wall. I have tried using vinegar and acetone and lots of scrubbing with a scouring pad but it just wont come off. Does anyone have any suggestions? Someone I spoke to mentioned heating it with a hairdryer might help? Its really annoying because there is basically no silicon left, yet you can see marks on the glass where it was. And the black background really highlights them

 

[Electus unus]

I don't think you can get rid of it if it's like a stain from being in an established sw tank for long...

 

[jason2459]

I had to reseal my tank and part of it was removing all the silicone. That was by far the worse thing I've ever had and probably will ever have to do in this hobby. Just when you think you scraped all the silicone off you can get an entire other layer off with the razor blade. It just felt like I would never get it all off.

So, just go at it again with the blade and start further out and see if you can get under anything.

 

[serbusfish]

I don't think you can get rid of it if it's like a stain from being in an established sw tank for long...

Ah right I see, well actually its been in an established freshwater tank for around 8 years.

I had to reseal my tank and part of it was removing all the silicone. That was by far the worse thing I've ever had and probably will ever have to do in this hobby. Just when you think you scraped all the silicone off you can get an entire other layer off with the razor blade. It just felt like I would never get it all off.

So, just go at it again with the blade and start further out and see if you can get under anything.

There is pretty much nothing there, when you run your fingers over it it feels flat, but you can see the outlines.

I was thinking of covering it up instead. I could get a sheet of black acrylic and silicone it to the back wall. Thoughts? Is acrylic flexible as my tank has brace bars which I would need to bend it around, unless it was in several pieces.

 

[salty joe]

Lacquer thinner might do the trick.

 

[serbusfish]

Lacquer thinner might do the trick.

Im not sure i'd want those chemicals in my tank though..

 

[jason2459]

Yeah, feel isn't much of an indicator for silicon when there's the thinnest of films left. But not saying there is any left just what my experience was with it. It was hell.

Any chemicals you put in can be rinsed out. Not an issue.

 

[uncleof6]

To remove silicone residue requires a couple boxes of single edge razor blades, steel wool, Acetone, MEK is better, and a great deal of time and elbow grease. Lacquer Thinner will just sit there and smile at you. Of course you only need go as far as you wish with the cleaning. For structural seams/resealing purposes it all has to be gone, but with just splotches it is preference.

As far a chemicals go, Acetone is not something to really be concerned over. It is water miscible, and, unless of poor quality (purity,) evaporates with no residue. No proven health hazards are known nor suspected. At high vapor concentrations, it can be irritating. It most hazardous property is the flammability. I mention this, because you seem to have concerns over chemicals.

 

[salty joe]

maybe this stuff?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8v2S19_wPs

 

[Electus unus]

^ looks legit

 

[Rocko1]

Mineral spirits or acetone and a polishing wheel on a drill, works wonders, soak the area in ether cleaner then run ur polishing wheel over it.

 

[FraggledRock]

grinding wheel.... lol jk

once you start getting coralline growing the last thing you will be remembering is the silicone film =P