Removing silicone caulk from a bathtub/shower

I need to re-caulk my bathtub which is also used for taking showers, but I've been dreading doing the job because I will have to remove the old silicone caulk. I've heard it's a tough job to do right, and, if you don't do it right, the caulk that you replace it with will not adhere to the tub and tile surfaces properly. Also, I've read that even if you do a good job of removing the silicone with a razor blade tool, there will still be a thin layer of silicone film left behind and that can be a problem.

I've looked at Amazon.com reviews of silicone caulk removal chemical solutions, and some folks say they do a good job and others say they're a waste of time and money. I've also heard that heating the caulk with a hair dryer or heat gun can make the job a lot easier.

What's the best way to do the job right?

 

Goo gone will remove silicone.

This is why you should never use silicone for a shower/bath, it is the worst.

You need a bathroom siliconized latex caulk with microban and your life will be much easier!

 

I disagree.... in my opinion...the "latex" type products just don't hold up like the actual silicone does.

Silicone is basically inert. There is nothing that will completely dissolve it.
There are some commercial silicone removal chemicals but they remove the last traces from a surface.
The idea is to get an oily substance between the silicone and the surface.
GooGone is good. WD-40 is borderline. Some like alcohols or white vinegar to soften the silicone.
Use a plastic scraper to reduce damaging the surface.

 

Thanks for the recommendations for Goo Gone. I checked online and there is regular Goo Gone, Pro Power Goo Gone, and Goo Gone Caulk Remover. Are all three basically the same stuff, or do you recommend a particular type?

I imagine I should test it out for staining before I use it on the whole tub. How long should I wait after applying it before I start to scrape the caulk away? Also, will there probably still be a thin layer of silicone film after I scrape out the caulk?

 

I've cleaned out about a dozen showers/tubs with old silicone where each one was discolored, cracked, torn and had various shades of gray/black mold growing behind it.

Each one was replaced with a DOW bathroom siliconized caulk with mold guard. The oldest one that I still see is around 15 years ago and it still looks pretty good.

Everybody uses what they like but I'll never put 100% silicon in a shower!