As a handyman or DIYer, a caulking remover can help you in many ways. You can use it to remove worn caulking during renovations or repairs.
With the best caulk remover on hand, you can cut down on dust. In addition, it softens the old, moldy, and stubborn layer of caulk, saving you valuable time.
Below is a quick list of the high-quality caulk removers that you can buy. Keep scrolling to learn more about choosing and using the best caulk remover tool.
- Goo Gone Pro-Power Spray Gel
- Orange-Sol De-Sovl-it Contractors Solvent
- Goof Off Professional Strength Remover
- Crown Tuff Strip Ultimate Caulk Remover
- Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Silicone Caulk Remover
However, they vary in effectiveness, and not all caulking removers are worth trying.
To save you the trouble of getting your hopes up only to be disappointed, we tested as many caulking removers as we could find to find out which ones are the most effective; information that we are about to share with you in the following review.
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Best Caulk Remover Tool – Our Top Picks
However, the best thing about these formulas is that they make your job easier since you avoid intensive scrubbing when removing old caulk.
Plus, caulk removers are easy to work with, as you just have to apply the compound to the caulk, after which you can let it sit for a while before removing the residue.
Before you dive into the repair job, you need to choose the best tool for your task. This guide will help you choose the best one for you. So, let’s get started…
1. Goo Gone Pro-Power Spray Gel
Goo Gone Pro-Power Spray Gel is the best caulk remover. It is a reputable manufacturer of caulk removers!
Their Pro-Power Adhesive Remover is stronger than their other formulas, making it a great choice for many situations.
Best of all, it’s a good value, offering an impressive 24 ounces at an affordable price.
Unfortunately, this remover is not specific to caulk. It’s very strong and definitely removes caulk, but it also removes a lot more.
This is a fast working product. Just a few minutes after applying it, you will be ready to clean it.
But we found that it requires several applications to be really effective. After a few coats, the surface underneath is likely to be badly damaged, so this isn’t one of our top picks for removing caulk.
2. Orange-Sol De-Sovl-it Contractors Solvent
The Orange-Sol is a caulk remover with a difference. Since it is a petroleum-based product, it is useful not only for removing caulk but also for removing grease stains from shirts. On the performance front, the product is potentially second to none.
It comes in an easy to spray bottle which helps a lot while using the product and thus ensures minimal use of hands. So you won’t need to invest in latex gloves or other protective gear to remove even old caulk from your shower.
The product can be used on virtually any surface, including skin and hair.
The unique selling point of the product is the absolutely non-toxic formulation of the solvent. The product does not use benzene or chlorinated solvents and is therefore completely non-toxic and safe to use on the skin.
Therefore, the solution can be easily disposed of without the added concern of liquid toxicity. However, there is a small drawback.
Since the remover is a petroleum-based formula, the product has a slight petroleum odor and that could be a problem for some users.
3. Goof Off Professional Strength Remover
This cleaner will help restore the beauty of your belongings by helping you remove unwanted items such as adhesives, glue, crayons, pens, markers, chewing gum, scuff marks, stickers, decals, asphalt, tar, and dried latex paint, etc.
Goof Off can be used on a wide variety of surfaces including concrete, grout, metal, brick, glass, wood, fiberglass, hand tools, and automotive finishes. You can clean almost any surface in your home with this product without worrying about damaging the surface you are cleaning.
It quickly cuts through the toughest spots and stains and leaves you with an item intact. Household cleaners can’t begin to remove the many things Goof Off can remove.
4. Crown Tuff Strip Ultimate Caulk Remover
Crown Tuff Strip Ultimate Caulking Remover is a different type of product that is made specifically to remove caulking.
As such, it’s not too surprising that it turned out to be our favorite caulk remover.
Apply this remover and wait just 2 hours. Then your caulk is ready to be removed with just a little scraping.
A single bottle can remove up to 47 linear feet of caulk, making it easy to estimate how much remover you’ll need.
It is effective on both silicone and latex caulk, making it a one-bottle solution for all your caulk removal needs.
We found that this formula works well on both horizontal and vertical caulking as it adheres well to surfaces and doesn’t drip or run as much as other products.
However, you should be careful when using it on sensitive surfaces as it may damage some materials.
5. Motsenbocker’s Lift Off Silicone Caulk Remover
If you are looking for a safe and non-toxic option to remove adhesives in your home, this is the ideal cleaner for you!
However, silicone caulk isn’t the only thing you can remove with this water-based solution. It is very effective at removing substances such as 2-part epoxies, expanding foams, and sealants.
More importantly, it does not affect the surface the sealant adheres to!
Also, this solution has a fast-acting formula and its application is quite simple. That’s because it comes in a convenient 4.5 oz container spray bottle that is very easy to use. When it comes to performance, this solution won’t dissolve old caulk.
Instead, it penetrates the surface and breaks the molecular bond of the sealant. Thus making it easy to remove the caulk in pieces!
You can use it safely when you are working on your shower and bathtub screens.
As for the drawbacks, this solution contains some harsh chemicals.
So if you’re sensitive to strong odors, consider another option. Other than that, Motsenbocker’s Adhesive Remover is very effective and reasonably priced.
Best Caulk Remover Tool Buying Guide
There is no shortage of products to choose from when looking for a way to remove old caulking. But caulking is stubborn and choosing a formula that is effective can be quite difficult without trying all the products first.
Fortunately, we did the testing for you, simplifying the decision-making process. However, that does not mean that the decision is made.
If you’re still undecided, this short buyer’s guide is designed to help you choose with confidence.
Things to Consider Before Buying Caulk Remover
1. TypeType of Caulk
First, you need to understand that adhesive removers come in 3 different formulas. They include; solvent-based, citrus-based, and soy-based formulas. Similarly, putties come in various types. But the most common are acrylic, latex, and silicone caulk.
Therefore, before deciding on a certain adhesive remover, you should consider the type of caulk you intend to work on. This is because not all cleaners are suitable for different types of fillers.
2. Application method
Most of the time, you can apply an adhesive remover in gel form or through a spray. The gel tends to be more precise and powerful. In contrast, the spray application method is very simple. On the downside, this approach can leave a mess due to the liquid nature of the solution. Whichever method you decide to choose, make sure it is safe and easy to use.
3. Surface you are applying on
Using the wrong adhesive remover can damage the surface you are working on. So make sure that the liquid chemical you plan to use will not permanently damage the surface. Perhaps you intend to remove caulking from finished wood, floors, or auto parts. Either way, choose a solution that is safe to use on those surfaces!
4. Environment friendly
It is also good to buy a sealant cleaner with non-toxic and biodegradable substances. That way, you will be protecting the environment when you dispose of these products. Plus, choosing a low-VOC liquid adhesive remover is also safe for your skin.
5. Price
Lastly, make sure that the product you are about to buy is reasonably priced. If you intend to remove caulk from your clothes, don’t spend a lot of money on liquid remover. However, if you think the product is worth it, don’t hesitate to buy it!
Why Caulking Tool?
Before shopping for the best caulking remover, it is important to know what a caulking tool is. And why do you need it in the first place?
First of all, a caulking tool works to fill in minor cracks and gaps inside your house. If you are using a caulking gun, you will also be able to repair some of the cracks.
Sometimes cracks and gaps in the walls give rise to additional problems. To get rid of this serious problem, a caulking tool will definitely help.
Although you don’t need a caulking tool to fill in the gaps, they do help make things easier.
In fact, you can fill in any set of cracks or gaps using this tool. Therefore, a caulking tool is needed if you are facing cracks in the walls or floors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I use a caulk remover?
Caulk removers can be useful in different situations. As such, you can use them to remove old caulk from solid surfaces or fabrics.
However, this can vary depending on the formulation you are using because some compounds are formulated with ingredients that are not fabric friendly.
Some formulas are smooth to the touch, so you can use them to clean caulk stains from your skin.
However, caution should be exercised when using such formulas because some can irritate the skin.
How does a caulk remover work?
Simply put, caulk removers are formulated with powerful solvents that break the molecular bonds in caulk.
As a result, the caulk will soften and also become more flexible, allowing for easy disposal.
What is caulk remover made of?
Caulk remover is made up of many different things. You have makeup removers that are chemical-based and made from benzene, alcohol, propane, and other harsh ingredients, and you have makeup removers made from citrus oils, citrus extracts, and natural ingredients.
You need to read the label on the container the caulk remover comes in to determine what ingredients it contains and if you need to wear goggles, gloves, and a respirator while using the remover.
Do caulk removers hurt paint?
Caulking removers are formulated with different ingredients, so some may damage your paint while others may not.
With that said, always be sure to read the label before applying caulk. In addition to this, you should consider testing the product in an inconspicuous area to see if it is compatible with paint.
Can a caulk remover soften cured caulking?
Yes. Most caulking removers contain powerful ingredients that can effectively break down cured caulking, forming a soft residue that can be easily washed off.
Conclusion
If you’ve been having a hard time removing caulk from surfaces, then it’s time you tried the caulk removers mentioned above.
The list has a wide variety of high-quality formulas that will simplify your job when removing both wet and dry caulk.
Hopefully, you will finally be able to select the best caulk removal tool. In the end, we are sure enough of this assumption as we have not left any information in this guide.
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