How do you remove caulk from a tub?

Question

We have a fiberglass tub and surround. We have tried to seal the two with caulk and other things, the latest being the caulk. Now I want to remove it completely and try something different. I have tried scraping with knives, razor blades you name it! Nothing seems to work. I even tried finger nail polish. Was just wondering if there was a chemical that would take it off. It looks really disgusting and any time we have company, I always have to close the curtain. Please help!

Answer 1

you can actualy buy caulking remover, it comes in little bottle or can and you squirt it on to the caulk and let it soak in for a while and it softens it up. after that it should easily come off with a caulking scraper, both items you can get at lowes or home depot.

Answer 2

elbow grease.

It should come off with a scraper, you just have to put some effort into it.  

What made you think fingernail polish would take it off?  That's essentially paint.

Answer 3

All  you need is a plastic scraper or plastic mud knife, the sharper the point the better. just get the point into the joint close and with good downward pressure just get a spot started and the rest will come up easy. Do one side the the other. for final clean up use denatured alcohol and a cloth it will be clean and prepped for silicone. once dry lay a 1/4" bead all the way around. dont use too much you will make a mess!!!! with a cloth dipped in alcohol wipe into joint to make a clean sealed joint. it is easier to fill a little weak spot rather than to wipe off too much silicone so dont be to generous with it. use enough to seal.

Answer 4

like the previous poster said, elbow grease.

i have a question though.  you are saying that you need to seal your tub but the new caulking you put on looks disgusting so you are removing it yes?

if that's the case you aren't applying the caulking correctly.  you shouldn't notice it at all.  you only need a tiny line of it along the joints and then you immediately smooth it with a wet finger.  it should be paper thin and blend right in with the tub.

the previous owner here didn't know how to apply it either. he had 2" wide, thick clumps of it all over every joint in the house.  took a lot of scraping to remove it.