How To Remove Silicone Caulking From Wood

Removing silicone caulking from wood surfaces can be a fussy job, especially when you are trying not to damage or scratch the wood or wood finish itself. It is usually not the best idea to scrape at the caulk with a screwdriver or chisel. With precision, care and by following a few simple steps, caulk can be safely removed from any wood surface.

Step 1

Remove any loose bits of caulk. Pull off as much caulk as you can with your fingers.

Step 2

Warm up the caulk with a hair dryer or a heat gun to soften it. Be careful not to overheat and damage the finish on the wood.

Step 3

Use a sharp razor blade to slice out the caulk. Hold the blade at a low angle so as not to puncture or scratch the wood. Slice large flaps in the caulk and grab hold of them with your fingers to pull and remove good size chunks of caulk.

Step 4

Use caulk remover to further soften the caulk if you continue to have difficulty removing. Test a small amount of the remover on the wood first to make sure that it will not damage the finish.

Step 5

Rub off last lingering chunks of caulk with a damp rag.

Step 6

Finish cleaning the wood with a wood-safe cleaner such as Murphy's Oil Soap.