How to clean silicone from granite

[Mwalt]

Hi guys,

I just had light gray colored slab granite installed on a kitchen remodel. The client likes the color much more when it is wet , which makes it darker. I found a great sealer which acheives this look: "enrich and seal" made by Aqua Mix.

However, the area where the installers applied a bead of silicone caulk between the stone backsplash/ counter intersection will not absorb water like the rest of the slab. The caulk has "sealed" the stone. The color differentiation is very noticable and I cannot proceed w/ application of the sealer.

I have scraped away the silicone w/ razor, and scrubbed the area w/ various stone cleaners, and even paint thinner, to no avail. I even tried burning off the silicone w/ mapp gas! I am stuck.

Any ideas on how to remove the siliocne caulk from the pores of the stone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-M

[Davestone]

I would recommend a commercial remover like this,don't know of any home remedies myself, maybe MEK or denatured alcohol....http://www.acehardware.com/sm-mckani...i-2151182.html

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I don't think the denatured is gonna do much to the cured silicone. I've used mineral spirits successfully to clean silicone off of non-porous surfaces, but I'd be concerned with driving it deeper into the stone if it all isn't extracted on the first attempt.

I can't comment on the commercially available silicone removers....In the past, I've always avoided them out of fear of harming the surface I'm working on. I've always stuck with mineral spirits, but it's kinna slow. And tedious.

Whatever you do, make sure to test it in an inconspicuous spot before committing to the whole enchilada.

[ckl111]

I use acetone to clean of excess silicone caulking before it is dry. Don't know if it will help after it is dry though.

Hard to imagine silicone soaking into stone like a sealer would. Scraping it off usually does the trick.

[umahunter]

acetone may work the safe route if plausible would be to put some silicone on a scrap piece(dry it) then get your chemicals and see what removes it best and doesn't cause other problems before you attempt it on what i expect is an expensive top. you also could try the sonic scrubber that lil sucker does pretty good on clean up. with acetone you may have to wet a rag and hold it on for a second then scrub it or it will evaporate to quickly to work well

[timm sowders]

Prosoco makes a product that is specifically made to remove silicone. it is called DN9. you can find it on their website. great product.

[Mwalt]

Good ideas all around, guys! THanks. I'm gonna try them out. hopefully theyll work. thanks again.