Removing RTV Silicone

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

RTV make a gasket is handy stuff, but removing it from parts can be a royal PITA. I have not found a good way to do it, and usually resort to scraping and abrasives. I've tried the permatex remover stuff and soaking in gasoline, and neither helps much.

Seeing how this is something most here have probably faced at one time or another, thought I would ask if anyone has found any good solutions to getting the RTV off. (FWIW, I am trying to cleanup the pan on a CRD tranny at the moment, but a good solution to this will be handy in many situations)

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Feb 20, 2022 2:35 pm

These 3M discs removes gaskets and old silicone without damaging mating surfaces.
They are especially good and easy on aluminum surfaces where you don't want to chance scaring the sealing surfaces.
You will need to have a standard high speed 1/4" air grinder to use them as they don't function at lower speeds.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40064937/

Google 3MRoloc Bristle Discs :google:

Plenty of them and holder available online.
3M 048011-18730 3M-18730 Roloc Bristle Disc Grade-50, Size-2, Green (50 grit)
Used on automotive aluminum and metal
Diameter: 2 Inches
Rotates and spins at maximum speed of 25000 RPM
3M 048011-18733 3M-18733 Roloc Bristle Disc Grade-120, Size-2, White (120 grit)
2 Inch Disc Pad Holder with ¼” Shank, Die Grinder Sanding Suitable for Roloc, Quick Change Medium Disc Attachments for Polishing, Sanding and Surface Preparation, – by Ram Pro

My66dodge · **Posted:** Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:58 pm

I hate to be that guy but in the last 20 years they (at ALL the classes and training I have ever had) have been saying not to use the Roloc disks otherwise referred to as whizzy wheels, what you are referring to, for engines or trannys as they leave particles inside the engine and trans and I have personally seen them trash an engine. They are ok for the pan on the bench but never on the trans it’s self and for sure never on an aluminum head as it can groove the head and cause an in even surface and poor sealing. The industry standard is still a razor gasket scraper! Call any decent shop and they will also tell you this. We only have them at my shop for bench work and after the part is done it goes in the parts washer but again we are professionals so we use the right disc for the right application on the rare time we do use them which is very rare at all. The different colors are for different metals and are different hardnesses. Again ALWAYS USE A SCRAPER OR RAZOR! This is not an opinion people it is advice from someone who puts food upon his table as a trained PROFESSIONAL mechanic

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WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:20 am

No matter what you choose to use for gasket removal, it should be used with common sense.
And removed debris, gasket material etc.. no matter how or what you use to remove it, should never be allowed to contaminate the internals of an engine, transmission, differential, transfer case, etc....
Any abrasive material used on aluminum surfaces can damage it if it is used improperly, even a razor blade.
Plenty of professional mechanics use gasket removal devices everyday, but they know how to use them safely and correctly.

synthetic-oil · **Joined:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:03 pm **Posts:** 144

I use a 1" cup wire wheel in my die grinder. Note: DO NOT buy one at Harbor Fright, Norton Tool, Home Depot ect. Even though they are rate 12K rpm or faster the wires break and go everywhere. You can hear them hitting the face shield and sticking in your body. Buy one from Snap-on, MAC Tools ect.

https://bit.ly/3pK55PF

Steve777 · **Joined:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:31 pm **Posts:** 284

Wanted to get back on this...

Thanks WW, I was aware of Roloc disks, and had used them elsewhere just did not think of trying them on RTV. I did use a yellow one (80 grit) I had on the tranny pan cover and it worked great. But I did do the cleaning away from the open tranny and even in another room, and washed down the pan carefully afterwards.

I am aware of the controversy around using these. Back when I used one on an engine, GM was denying claims on engine bearings if they found traces of Roloc abrasives, while at the same time Ford recommended using them for block/head cleaning, but only with strict dust/abrasive control over the exposed engine. One could certainly see all the roloc "dust" on this tranny pan when cleaning it up; no doubt you won't want that getting into any engine/tranny or the like.

I think that if one is careful about controlling the abrasive dust, Rolocs are a very handy tool, but you gotta take controlling the dust seriously.

turblediesel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2022 1:41 pm

I just shave old RTV off with a single edged razor blade. What's left comes off with carb spray.

Removing RTV Silicone

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