How to remove silicon caulk from a metal 'U' channel?

I have a glass shower. It has two metal 6foot tall 'clamps' that screw to the wall, then you slide each big glass panel into the clamp (with a rubber gasket), and tighten it down. There is a groove in the back of the camp about 3/4" wide that you fill with silicon before screwing to the wall, thus sealing it to the wall. I had to remove the shower panels to fix a tile issue, and now I need to reinstall these clamps which are full of dry silicon. I've picked at this thing for an hour or two with my fingers, with a paint scraper, with a pliers, etc... And I've only cleared about 8" of silicon...leaving like 110" to go. Is there a magic solution for getting this cleaned up? It doesn't need to be perfect... Just need a channel for a new bead of silicon. submitted by /u/Whack-a-Moole [link] [comments]

Apr 11, 2025 - 16:15

I have a glass shower. It has two metal 6foot tall 'clamps' that screw to the wall, then you slide each big glass panel into the clamp (with a rubber gasket), and tighten it down.

There is a groove in the back of the camp about 3/4" wide that you fill with silicon before screwing to the wall, thus sealing it to the wall.

I had to remove the shower panels to fix a tile issue, and now I need to reinstall these clamps which are full of dry silicon. I've picked at this thing for an hour or two with my fingers, with a paint scraper, with a pliers, etc... And I've only cleared about 8" of silicon...leaving like 110" to go.

Is there a magic solution for getting this cleaned up? It doesn't need to be perfect... Just need a channel for a new bead of silicon.

submitted by /u/Whack-a-Moole
[link] [comments]