Cleaning Up Sloppy Caulk Job from Factory

[rjshiflet]

Does anyone know how to clean up the sloppy caulk job the factory did on my 2023 Cruiser Aire? It's like this on every light and many other places and I'd like to clean it up if I had a method that I knew wouldn't damage the paint.

I realize I didn't get the most expensive model, but good grief - a little pride in workmanship would go a long way.

We hired a 70+ year old guy to remodel our bathroom at home a couple of years back and he did a pinpoint clean job of caulking around everything. When I complimented him on it, he said "it's my work...it's my advertisement - it better be good so you'll put in a good word for me down the road."

Well - Crossroads/Cruiser could learn something from that attitude.

[Lloyd]

I always used a plastic putty knife, and sometimes, a single edge razor blade to clean up the edges. (used very carefully!!)
Then a good scrubbing with rubbing alcohol before re caulking with Dicor lap sealant.

[mark5w]

If it's silicone, a coating of Vaseline left on for a few days will soften it up. Alcohol may clean up the residue.

NEVER USE SILICONE ON AN RV.

Nothing will stick to silicone when you want to freshen it up. Use an RV dedicated caulk.

[rjshiflet]

Originally Posted by mark5w

NEVER USE SILICONE ON AN RV.

This is from the factory - hopefully they know that rule.

[drzaius]

Mineral spirits will dissolve the old caulking quite readily.

[Yakherder]

I've found that Mineral Spirits works well and a bit of elbow grease. Just keep dabbing it on and lightly user a razor to break it down. Once the outside layer has been removed the rest seems to come easier.