Iceturf Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 (edited) I'm looking to remove some excess silicone from a couple of beads without actually damaging the beads themselves or risking glass scratch. Edited August 2, 2012 by Iceturf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 I use a sharp razor or fresh Exacto blade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Going back to my fear of scratching the glass, it is tempered glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Going back to my fear of scratching the glass, it is tempered glass. You'd have to press REALLY hard to scratch the glass w a razor blade. To cut the silicon, you only need enough pressure on the blade to get through the silicon - you probably don't have to go all the way through to peel it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 3, 2012 Report Share Posted August 3, 2012 I agree with jvision on the scratching. If you've ever cut glass with one of them rolling cutter things (glass cutter) you know that you have to put significant pressure to get a good score line for the break. Cutting silicone with a razor is probably less pressure than you would use to cut a 4mm thick slice of cheddar cheese from a block you'd buy from the grocery store. And if you are scraping after peeling, just keep the razor edge flat against the glass and you can press really quite hard without any scratches at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted August 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2012 Do I risk shattering tempered glass though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blink Posted August 4, 2012 Report Share Posted August 4, 2012 Not really much risk unless your using a mallet to pound the blade through the silicone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 4, 2012 Report Share Posted August 4, 2012 Tempered glass is much stronger than untempured. I highly doubt you could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 8, 2012 Report Share Posted August 8, 2012 Just go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceturf Posted August 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 It just makes me rather nervous to do this with my expensive glass, considering I have had mere sand specs cause noticeable scratches in my current tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted August 9, 2012 Report Share Posted August 9, 2012 If we look at Mohs scale of mineral hardness where higher is harder, glass comes in at 6-7, a non-hardened steel blade such as a razor comes in at 5. Silica Sand comes in at 7. So if we can trust those numbers, it explains why sand has scratched the snot out of your tank, but I can razor my cheapo 10 gallon all day long and get nary a scratch. Go for it? or test in an inconspicuous spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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