Easiest way to remove old sealant from roof?

[pwhittle]

Here is a silicon caulk remover.

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...ault.aspx#P386

Scrape off as much as you can with plastic razor blades, then use this.

Paul

[wildbill001]

Do you know what your roof is? If it is rubber (EDPM or something like that) DO NOT use any type of petroleum-based product--it will destroy your roof.

If it is caulk, then the only way I have found to do it, on my house, is to get physical--scraping, peeling, etc. If it is silicone, I've had luck with heat (HF cheap heat gun for me) and putty knife. Same for Dicor.

Good luck with it.

[okie-dokie]

If you have a rubber roof, forget the heat gun unless you are experienced. I have a fiberglass roof. I use a putty knife, then I use a non mineral type cleaner, then I use alcohol on a micro fiber towel or rag to clean off any other residue, etc. Then I use a DYCO C-10 flow seal. ( to be used on a flat serface, not on a vertical serface ).
Ohhh Don't use the alcohol that you drink. Save that type for when you need to flush out your __________ oh wait a minute that's a different story !!!

[sam-3]

You have been given some good suggestions for old sealant removal. After removal you can clean the area with alcohol and let dry. Dicor lap sealant is the correct product to use. You might consider Externabond tape be put around vents and then you can use dicor around the edges as needed(optional). A very good caulk to use on other exterior area of the Rv is lexell caulk(ace hardwear). SikaflexA at home depot is another good one. You can read about both caulk products on the internet. I have used Lexell caulk in our RV renovation and loved its ease of application and that it can be applied down to 40 degrees. Worth every penny at $eight dollars a tube. You pay for this good quality caulk. We have been in several severe rain storms and we were high and dry. Best of luck with your repair project.

[Plane nutty]

You can use mineral spirits to clean up the old dicor before laying down the new stuff. Just be careful not to spill any on your rubber roof if you have one.

[UsualSuspect]

You do not have to remove all the old Dicor on the roof to put new over the top of it. I do a section every year on mine. I take a putty knife and remove what I can of the old, then put new over the top of it. I break my roof into 2 sections, start in the front, resealed it this year, next year it will be the rear.

[Branndon]

I've read every reply. Thanks everyone! I'll just scrape it down, clean it, and apply my new sealant. I'm actually going with the eternabond roof sealant tape. I've already repaired one leak with it and it worked great. I'll be using it everywhere I can on the roof. I have a rubber roof for those of you who asked.

[Sundancer268]

I used my heat gun set to 450 degrees and a flexible steel putty knife. I rounded the corners of the putty knife to prevent gouging the rubber roof. Final cleanup was with paint thinner immediately followed by acetone. The Eterna-bond was used on all seams. It took me two years working intermittently, but I was maticiolus in my cleanup.

[Plane nutty]

Sundancer
Prep work is way more important than laying the finishing touches...way to go..two years now that's my speed

["007"]

I agree with the use of plastic putty knife. It will do least damage to lift that old mess off.
Its good in the seams of trims that will have to be done also in time.
Here is some information that may help.