DIY question - resealing round shower/bath

[slowmotion]

I have used a gel silicone remover like this a few times...
http://www.geocel.co.uk/product.aspx?id=66&pt=diy

Carefully cut off as much excess silicone as you can using a really sharp Stanley knife of scalpel. Don't be tempted to cut too close to the bath surface though, or you may scratch it. Then paint on a generous coating of the gel and leave it for a while. Scrape off the softened silicone with a a non-metallic scraper, and repeat as necessary. Clean the surface of the bath scrupulously, as per instructions by the gel manufacturer. When you re-apply the silicone, use a low modulus sanitary silicone that resists mould growth. After applying, remember that you only have a couple of minutes to smooth it. ( Using masking tape helps to make a neat job) If you tool it after that, you will drag the surface skin and it will look like Hell. Good luck.

 

[Milo]

Stanley blade and time. Must do ours frankly looks rank and moldy. Damp finger for smoothing out the new sealant works just fine.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Old fashioned razor blade for removal .... is what I've used in the past.
I've had this job lingering far too long, thanks for the inspiration, filling the bath's a great idea!

 

[Spinney]

I've no idea on tips to take off old seal, but when we had a new bathroom put in our old place, he filled the bath with water then put the silicone on, and we were told to leave the bath with water in for the following 24 hours.

Now that sounds like a good tip! I was having a bath and noticed that the sealant wasn't sealed to the bath all round - that should sort it with the new lot!

 

[Spinney]

Stanley blade and time. Must do ours frankly looks rank and moldy. Damp finger for smoothing out the new sealant works just fine.

Yeah - the tubes of sealant say not to use a damp finger (health and safety?) but I've always found it works a treat! My seals are still messy, though.

 

[Spinney]

Thanks everyone (for the sympathy as well as the tips!). I think I'll try the screwfix one first (as it's about 1/10 the price of the B&Q link thingy!

 

[Arch]

My seals are still messy, though.

Try getting sea lions instead, they are easier to train....

 

[postman]

Don't forget to give it a penguin with it's cup of tea.

 

[Milo]

Yeah - the tubes of sealant say not to use a damp finger (health and safety?) but I've always found it works a treat! My seals are still messy, though.

Just don't stick your fingers up your bum or eat it or anything silly afterwards. Shouldn't kill you unless your doing it every week.

 

[Alex H]

Yeah - the tubes of sealant say not to use a damp finger (health and safety?) but I've always found it works a treat! My seals are still messy, though.

Dip your finger in washing up liquid first - stops the stuff sticking to you

 

[Over The Hill]

If the bath is enamel then it is fairly bomb proof and you can go nuclear. If it is glass fibre (basically looks and feels plastic) then go easy.
I recently has to turn round a 20 year old plastic bath so had to clean up the side that was on the wall. I just used a normal scraper and it came up great. Just a polish with some kitchen cream cleaner to bring up a good finish.

 

[Maz]

Try this from Screwfix, dogs dangly bits

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-sealant-remover-100ml/17175

What a great find. Wish I'd known about it before - would have saved me many hours of soul-destroying labour.

 

[rich p]

What a great find. Wish I'd known about it before - would have saved me many hours of soul-destroying labour.

soul-destroying tories if this was in CA&D