Any tips to remove RTV from surfaces and inside threads? Attempting to seal up the bottom end of a miata block. (RMS, oil pump, oil pan, etc.) Is there a solvent that works? Reluctant to use HF taps since they don't seem to use the same standards as everyone else.
besides a good tap, a rifle bore brush, compressed air and brake clean or all of the above.
Good idea on the bore brush! Wasn't sure what solvent would work. I'll try the brake kleen, and the bore brush. Thanks.
mineral spirits will soften and swell RTV. then a rifle bush will clean the hole.
I use a thread chaser and air gun. Don't use a tap; its a different animal. It will cut more metal. Just use a chaser.
Razor blade to get the thick stuff, kerosene or carb cleaner and a wire brush to get the major bits off of the sealing surfaces and carb cleaner and a Scotch-Brite pad to get it really clean and carb or brake cleaner on a paper towel to get it clean enough to seal.
I never really worry about the threads.
Cured RTV silicone isn't actually dissolved by much. Maybe methylene chloride, Permatex and Loctite both sell Silicone solvents, but they're way toxic and expensive.
I use a variety of scrapers, steel and brass scratch brushes, and chasers. I find the stiffer, straighter and sharper the scraper, the less likely it is to put scratches in the sealing surface. So I keep a high speed steel lathe cut-off blade around. It works great.
Yah, dissolving the sealant isn't the goal so much as separating it from the metal. This is aided by a solvent and mechanical removal (scrapers/wire brushes/Scotch-Brite pads, the ones you hold in your hand not the Rolocs!)
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