Safe Solvent/Method for Removing Electronic Potting Compounds.

The person is looking to extract a telephone line matching transformer that's encased in some sticky, water-repellent goo—likely silicone. They're asking for ways to remove or dissolve this substance. This situation calls for a practical solution to deal with potting compounds in electronics. A specialized solvent designed to break down common potting materials, such as silicones or petroleum-based compounds, without harming sensitive components or posing health risks, would be incredibly useful. Alternatively, a removal kit with non-conductive tools like plastic spudgers and scrapers, along with freeze spray to make the material brittle, and detailed instructions for mechanical removal, would also be effective. The benefits include salvaging specific components like the transformer for repair or reuse, providing a safer and more targeted alternative to potentially hazardous or ineffective generic solvents, and making it easier for electronics hobbyists and repairers to handle such encapsulation.

Origin Reddit Post

r/askelectronics

How to remove this goopy stuff.

Posted by u/tommydorky06/04/2025
I want to extract this telephone line matching transformer. It’s encased in this goop though, I’m guessing silicone? Quite sticky and hydrophobic. What’s a good way to remove or dissolve it

Top Comments

u/audiodude5171
I've encountered the same before, would love to know what it actually is. Have a feeling the answer might be a bit car-cin-o-genic
u/deathmetalbanjo
My uncle gave me a telephone to take apart once because I was so enamored with the telephone and how it worked. I remember that stuff was the stickiest substance I have ever been in contact w
u/k-mcm
Hopefully it's ordinary petroleum jelly - a medium to heavy range of distilled crude oil.  It melts when hot and can be dissolved in solvents.  It's only a tiny bit carcinogenic. (Mineral oil
u/solenoid99
You can try using a freeze spray. Freeze a small section at a time and try to pull it off with a plastic spudger. The spray causes the goop to harden and becomes brittle. You can also try th
u/1310smf
Most things I can imagine working as solvents on this would be just generally nasty and poisonous, and difficult to obtain. Some might be carcinogens too - I doubt the "sure looks like silico
u/214ObstructedReverie
Man. I'd be super careful of being around pretty much any kind of substance like that that looks this old... I'd just drop it off at my city's hazardous waste collection and call it a day. h
u/nixiebunny
Why remove it from that delightful enclosure? If you need a phone hybrid transformer, then buy a different brand of phone whose transformer isn’t potted in goop. ITT and many other 1980s phon

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