Help Silicone Stuck

essabee · 01-17-2007, 02:58 AM

I am redoing an aquarium. I have to remove one of the glasses fitted with silicone rubber 7 years ago, as it has become scratched. The glass is fitted from inside the aquarium onto a 3/4" frame. As the glass is 20mm thick and is 72"X 24" I do not want it to crack for I can always reuse it for the base of an aquarium.

I have scraped out all the silicone rubber I could reach with blades, but still cannot move the glass.

Does anyone know what solvent I can use for loosening the silicon I have been unable to reach to with my blade?

sunmiztres · 01-21-2007, 08:52 AM

Try looking for a thinner razor blade. I have taken a part many aquariums for the glass and end up using an exacto knife, or those really thin razor blades. You have to get the blade in beween the 2 pieces of glass and then slowly slide it down keeping the pressure off of the glass.

distrbd · 01-21-2007, 02:19 PM

The best way to remove silicone between two pieces of glass is to use a thin wire like piano wire,hold both ends and use it like a saw back and forth.

essabee · 01-22-2007, 12:23 AM

When I was building this aquarium, I remember applying the silicone very lightly to the granite frame then pushing the glass with my legs as I braced against the opposite wall of the aquarium and using all my strength before putting the braces in place. Now I regret I made it so well.

I was worried that silicone would not make a good adhesion with granite, so I made an aquarium with granite sheet using epoxy, leaving the front open except for a granite frame made with 2” granite strips. It is into this frame that I pushed the glass from inside the aquarium. I have been looking for a gap for 3 days to get a piano wire in but I regret I made it so well.

So their; I have been looking for a solvent.

If I can’t find an appropriate one, I will take chance with carbon-tetra chloride, injecting it with a syringe into the corner of the frame from both sides. A very slight pressure exerted continuously will help the solvent work better. So some wooden shims tapped in between the frame and the front of the glass

I must be careful that the pressures at different points are close equals, else the glass will crack.

essabee · 01-25-2007, 02:28 AM

All in one piece

Thanks everyone

01-17-2007, 02:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
essabee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India Posts: 240	Help Silicone Stuck I am redoing an aquarium. I have to remove one of the glasses fitted with silicone rubber 7 years ago, as it has become scratched. The glass is fitted from inside the aquarium onto a 3/4" frame. As the glass is 20mm thick and is 72"X 24" I do not want it to crack for I can always reuse it for the base of an aquarium. I have scraped out all the silicone rubber I could reach with blades, but still cannot move the glass. Does anyone know what solvent I can use for loosening the silicon I have been unable to reach to with my blade? __________________ If you have a choice, you have a problem, till you elect your choice. No choice, no problem, only consequences, learn to live with them.

01-22-2007, 12:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
essabee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India Posts: 240	When I was building this aquarium, I remember applying the silicone very lightly to the granite frame then pushing the glass with my legs as I braced against the opposite wall of the aquarium and using all my strength before putting the braces in place. Now I regret I made it so well. I was worried that silicone would not make a good adhesion with granite, so I made an aquarium with granite sheet using epoxy, leaving the front open except for a granite frame made with 2” granite strips. It is into this frame that I pushed the glass from inside the aquarium. I have been looking for a gap for 3 days to get a piano wire in but I regret I made it so well. So their; I have been looking for a solvent. If I can’t find an appropriate one, I will take chance with carbon-tetra chloride, injecting it with a syringe into the corner of the frame from both sides. A very slight pressure exerted continuously will help the solvent work better. So some wooden shims tapped in between the frame and the front of the glass I must be careful that the pressures at different points are close equals, else the glass will crack. __________________ If you have a choice, you have a problem, till you elect your choice. No choice, no problem, only consequences, learn to live with them.

01-25-2007, 02:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
essabee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India Posts: 240	All in one piece Thanks everyone __________________ If you have a choice, you have a problem, till you elect your choice. No choice, no problem, only consequences, learn to live with them.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-21-2007, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
sunmiztres Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (60) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fort Bliss, TX Posts: 466	Try looking for a thinner razor blade. I have taken a part many aquariums for the glass and end up using an exacto knife, or those really thin razor blades. You have to get the blade in beween the 2 pieces of glass and then slowly slide it down keeping the pressure off of the glass.

01-21-2007, 02:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
distrbd Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TORONTO,CANADA Posts: 708	The best way to remove silicone between two pieces of glass is to use a thin wire like piano wire,hold both ends and use it like a saw back and forth.

Advertisements
Get Rid of Advertisements