What's the best way to remove old caulk and start over?

[likesmountains 52]

I've tried a couple of gadgets from the hardware store , but nothing seems to be working very well...is it just going to take a lot more elbow grease than I thought? Last time I removed it from around the tub I used a razor blade and ended up hacking a chunk of the vinyl flooring off..

[NMDemDist2]

1. a dull screwdriver

:rolf:

that's what I usually end up using

or a butter knife

[eleny]

2. You've been working too hard if you're "rolf"ing!

:patriot:

[NMDemDist2]

5. Lady, you can't imagine

:evilgrin:

but i'm still smiling hehehe

[likesmountains 52]

6. Thanks, sounds like it's nobody's favorite job!

[Stinky The Clown]

3. The job: Tedious. The substance: Tenacious. The prognostication: .......

..... a big pain in the ass.

There's no need to get it 100% removed if the reason for removal is recaulking. The exception is around tubs or showers where some black mold is starting to show at the margins of the caulk. That has to all come out to get to the mold.

If you can get the caulk down to where it is off the surface and about halfway down into whatever gap is there, you have enough to give a good base for recaulking. Bright's 'Dremel' suggestion's a good one. Just be careful. That little jewel can cut fast on materials you don't want it to cut.

I've always found a razor blade used to scrape the surface is a good way to clean the old stuff off. Even on vinyl flooring, so long as you approach it carefully and at a shallow angle. Then just dig it out of the gap as best you can.

[likesmountains 52]

7. Thank you...you have confirmed my suspicion that all of the "E-Z"

caulk removal tools are not useful! Maybe I'll decide it just doesn't look that bad after all...

[TygrBright]

4. A Dremel.

God bless Dremel. I start with one of the little round burr thingies and finish with the little metal brush thingie. Using that, a smallish bathroom shouldn't take you more than, oh... a couple weeks or so.

helpfully,
Bright

[likesmountains 52]

8. Thanks for the tip, and the laugh! Glad to know I'm not alone in

my disdain for the job...

[Brundle_Fly]

9. I use an x-acto for this

if you can get up a big enough chunk lots can be pulled away.

patience is the key