I used red RTV to seal my exhaust pipes right behind my stove. I'd like to take those pipes apart so to clean but I can't break the seal. Any suggestions? I don't want to damage the pipes, obviously.
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TimfromMA
Minister of Fire
You can use a heat gun to help soften up the RTV, and try to break the seal, just be very careful. When pipe is RTVed together, it is a female dog to get apart in place.
Most people use special duct tape for a couple connections, which is where they take it apart when needed.
A lot of people sweep from the back as mentioned by Tim, I'm not familiar with Englanders, but I can sweep/vacuum all the way through my unit through the stove using a lint eater, and a 1" vacuum hose.
Most people use special duct tape for a couple connections, which is where they take it apart when needed.
A lot of people sweep from the back as mentioned by Tim, I'm not familiar with Englanders, but I can sweep/vacuum all the way through my unit through the stove using a lint eater, and a 1" vacuum hose.
Thank you. I normally can pass a 3/4 hose into the exhaust that's connected to a shop vac. It works fairly well but I'd like to see how clean it really gets. I've not tried using a lint brush but will also try that. If not satisfied, I'll see if I can loosen up the RTV with a paint gun. But keep the suggestions coming!
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Use permatex rtv silicone remover, I use aluminum tape on those joints its easy to remove and seals well.
http://www.amazon.com/Copperfield-W573-0007-Mill-pak-Temperature-Sealant/dp/B001D1J8TO
high temp non adhesive sealant
Arti
Feeling the Heat
Heat it some and put a strap wrench on it, keep working it back and forth and it will come loose.
RyansCAB50
New Member
I use a razor blade right along the joint then twist, then just scrape off the old stuff once apart
Wilbur Feral
Minister of Fire
Use advice above to try to get apart, but my last attempt (last year) resulted in just destroying a section that the ignoramus at the dealer glued together with about a half tube of RTV. If you do get it apart, a rotary paint remover on a cordless drill will get off the remainder (MUST be done as cured silicone will not allow new silicone (RTV) to adhere). Use high temperature silicone "tape" on joints that you will later wish to take apart, which does NOT have adhesive on it, but is rather a friction fit. Do NOT use any type of "duct" tape, as someone tried to advise. Horrible idea, as is HVAC duct sealing tape. You'll have a devil of a time removing it. High temp silicone "tape", available at many auto parts stores or online, is your friend.
Sound advice! The tape isn't fun to remove, but if it is one seam isn't too bad, if its heavy duty tape it'll pull off without ripping. Still better than RTV.
I'll have to try silicone tape if I ever have to take it apart again, which hopefully I wont.
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