Do you want to remove caulk from your sink? Well, with plenty of patience, this task will be just easy to perform and it will pay off by making things much easier. Here are the steps that you can take:
1. To start off with the old caulk removal process easily, you should use a caulk removal solution that will unmake the bond between the caulk and the sink. A liquid caulk removal solution usually comes in a plastic squeeze bottle that will remove more than 20 linear feet of caulk. This is a great means to soften up and remove the old caulk as opposed to only relying on scraping it manually. To use the solution, squeeze the remover out of the bottle onto the old caulk, while making sure the old caulk is covered completely, and then let it set for 2 to 7 hours or as long as directed by the manufacturer. If it is particularly more difficult to remove the caulk, such as when it is very old, hardened and has multiple layers, you can wait for about 24 hours to let the solution set.
2. Pry the caulk loose with a specialized caulk removal tool. Usually, this device has special little angles and patented cutting edges that use specialized blades that allow it to get rid of caulk within the sink joints. It has a corner scraper that scrapes the sides of the sink with a hardened plastic edge, without damaging the surface of the sink. Though professionals sometimes use a utility blade or knife, you should not be tempted to do the same method unless you got steady hands. Otherwise, you would damage your sink. Most of the old caulk can come off easily in long strips, though you may need to use tweezers or needle-nose pliers to pull out some of the bits. If you do not have tweezers or needle-nose pliers, then you can instead use a small putty knife, the hook end of a painter’s tool or a toothbrush, depending on how loose the caulk bits are.
3. Clean the sink surface with soap and water or alcohol and then get rid of any mildew and mold with a mixture of a small amount of bleach and a gallon of water. Allow things to completely dry out before you apply the new caulk.
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You might want to deep clean the sink and its surrounding areas before you apply the new caulk, as soap scum and other grime could inhibit its ability to adhere. Also, moist and traces of water can create a nasty mildew and mold problem. Keep in mind that it is really not difficult to work on a clean and well-prepared surface. Like everything else, preparation will have a lot to do with the quality of the final results when removing caulk from sink. And again, you should have plenty of patience, as rushing things will definitely put you in a position of regret afterwards.
