Second post, different problem. We completely eradicated an ugly bathroom. We replaced an awful cracked fiberglas tub/shower surround with an acrylic tub and three-sided surround of custom-made cultured marble panels to the ceiling. The background color is a sandy beige, with white swirls and tiny flecks of deep blue and rust. Beautiful job in creating the panels. We used the same cultured marble for a double vanity top that hits painted beaded-board panels on three sides. We had the CM installed because we didn't want to risk damage on a tricky job.
Never having worked with caulk before, I relied in the installer's advice re choice of color and material (my error). If we had done the job, we would have researched the options to death before doing anything.
He used Dap Phenoseal Vinyl Adhesive Caulk in beige at the top of the panels, to mask some expected irregularities where the panels met the ceiling. He used the same stuff in white between panels and tub and between vanity and beadboard, and in beadboard corners above vanity. Later on, after painting the walls (a deep blue), we used the same stuff where surround panels meet the walls. He used 100% silicone in the surround corners between panels, thank goodness.
He knew I had chosen the cultured marble surround for ease of cleanup and to avoid mold and mildew and maintenance of grout.
After a few weeks, the caulk around the vanity had shrunk, showing a gap in some places. I called the fabricator and was told that this was normal, the guy would come back and apply a second layer, which he did.
It's now two years or so later and the caulk barely touches the vanity. Above the tub, it's black-moldy and disgusting, uncleanable. I'm afraid I see some gaps as well. so it's got to go. The silicone is fine. At the ceiling, the color doesn't look too swift but it's holding up.
The fabricator's shop head says the installer (who usually works with Corian) should never have used the Phenoseal, should have only used the silicone and he can send the installer back to remove/replace. I said I didn't want him touching this further, and the guy understood. Though this stuff is hard as a rock, it does not chip away from any surface.
My question is how to safely remove the caulk above the tub, above the vanity, and in beadboard corners, without damaging acrylic tub, cultured marble, or painted beadboard.
The shop head said to soften with denatured alcohol and hot water, then scrape out with plastic tool. Anything else will harm the cultured marble. I tried on a small section around the vanity and can't say I detected enough softening to be worthwhile.
Dap says to use alcohol, mineral spirits, or paint thinner to soften the caulk.
Kohler says I can't use any of these because they will damage the acrylic tub.
We used a Benjamin Moore 100% acrylic latex enamel on the beadboard.
1) Advice, please, on safe removal so we can move forward.
2) Could you comment on our own choices? After doing our own research, we bought GE Silicone II 100% Silicone with BioSeal, in white. A number of posts I read yesterday recommended this same stuff. We also got the GE Silicone II Paintable formula in white for the beadboard corners in the bathroom, and with beadboard in a laundry room we are now building. Because painted panels are not the same white as caulk would be, caulk has to be painted afterward.
We would toss it all if you suggest a better alternative. Thanks in advance for your expertise. Sorry, I know I'm too wordy - I will try to do better.
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