My husband and I (who are not really diy-ers) recently had a handyman remove the glass doors from our shower because they looked terrible with hard water stains. Unfortunately, the adhesive/caulk used to hold them in place left a deep yellow stain all along the base and a little up the sides. It's not just a stain: there is quite a bit of adhesive still stuck there since our handyman didn't want to hit the surface with his razor blade. (There are also 4 screw holes that will have to be filled somehow.)



I tried a few suggestions I found online, but they had absolutely no effect: hydrogen peroxide and Bar Keeper's Friend--each by themselves, then together as a paste, left over night, etc. No effect.

I found the International Cast Polymer Association and got this advice:

I ended up getting odorless mineral spirits from Lowe's because it sounded like it was a better alternative to denatured alcohol--and wouldn't odorless be safer? But now that I read the warnings and directions, I'm very nervous to even open it. I recently developed asthma, and this stuff sounds dangerous. There is no window that can open or fan in the bathroom, although since it's off the master bedroom, I can open all those windows.

But is there a safer alternative that might work? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

It looks like silicone residue, which needs to be scraped off. I don't blame him for not scraping it, since marble is soft and it can scratch. But removing with a razor blade scraper is probably what you need to do first of all. No point in using cleaners of any sort until you scrape the sealant off.. If you scratch the marble, you could always call a countertop specialist to come polish it.

 

Thanks, XSleeper. I thought the mineral spirits would dissolve the silicone. No? So don't try anything like Goo-gone or Goof off?

 

As I said, the only thing that will remove silicone is a razor scraper. You typically don't want to use any type of petroleum solvent on marble since it can leave a stain or oily residue.

 

As a rule you don't want to use any petroleum based solvent but unfortunately it's the oil in it that you need to get between the silicone and the marble. Try different things in one location.... preferable out of the way.

 

There are specific products just for the removal of silicon caulk. One such brand is Selleys.
Just out of curiosity what are you going to replace it with? It seems that whatever you use will cover the stained section anyways.

 

As the poor diy-er I am, I went ahead and used some Goof-off before checking replies here. Didn't use a lot, but between that, non-acetone nail polish remover, and more Bar Keeper's Friend, I have the silicone off and the stain is much lighter now. I probably ruined the shiny finish, but I am now going to try the Gel Gloss that was recommended.

Not going to attack this again until Monday. Hope the Gel Gloss removes the rest of the stain as I don't know where to go after that. Norm, we are not putting another door in: I ordered a curved shower rod. Wish I had done it years ago as it is 100% easier to clean the shower now, not to mention feels more spacious when showering. PLUS since I have arthritis, I have the option to sit down on the edge of the tub if it comes to needing that some day.

 

When I removed our old shower insert from the tub, I couldn't get the stain out after trying everything so I had a local metal shop cut out some brushed stainless steel strips abt 2" wide and used a pro 2-sided tape to cover it up. Looks better than the stained surface. idk if acetone would do anything to it but that's what we use on our marble countertops to draw out discoloration.

 

What a great idea, maarkar, about the stainless steel strip! I will look into that if I can't get the stain off completely.

If anyone is still checking this thread: any idea on what I get to fill the screw holes?

Thanks!

 

Nothing you put in the holes will be perfectly invisible. To match the color (which looks to be an off white) you might look at the various types of unsanded grout caulk they have in the tile aisles at the box store. Inject it into the holes and smooth with a little clean water and wipe the edges with a paper towel.

Something a little harder than caulk would be a stick of JB Waterweld which is an epoxy putty that you cut off like cheese and then kneed for a few minutes before you apply it. You would smooth it and clean off any excess with paint thinner and paper towels. But its anyone's guess how the color would match. It picks up dirt and oil from your fingers as you kneed it so it ends up being sort of an off white as well.

 

Wish I could give you an upvote, xsleeper, on my tablet, but the option doesn't seem to be available. I appreciate the suggestions.

And I think I've got my solution for the stain as well (since the Gel Gloss experiment I ran today didn't make much difference). Thinking of maarkar's idea, I was telling my husband I'd like something other than metal--but to look like it has a reason to be there. Then I thought about adhesive tub strips. I know they're a bad idea for tubs, but if I pace a white strip along that stain, people will think it's there just as a non-skid help. Going to see if I can find it 2-3 inches wide. I know it will probably require extra care when cleaning, but it will look better than the stain.