Help - Silicon joint on ribbed tiles!!!

[firsttimetiler]

Hi everyone.
This is my first post on this forum after taking some very sound advice for my first tiling job.
I have fitted a new bathroom and carried out all the tiling myself without any prior experience and I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out. It has taken me nearly every weekend over the whole summer so it should be good!!
Now I've got to the part I'm dreading... Silicon.
Ive already mucked up the seal round the bath so had to re-do that but luckily it looks ok and no one would ever know.
The problem I've now got is the Silicon seal required in the vertical corner of my new shower area where this is between some standard white tiles and some natural stone tiles that are ribbed, sort of like a bamboo effect.
Im terrified of getting the Silicon everywhere and in all the ridges as grouting was bad enough, but at least that wipes off. I masked all the vertical joints when grouting and even then some still creeped behind the tape.
I was hoping that one of you expert tiler may be able to offer some more invaluable advice!!
Any help would be appreciated.
thanks in advance.

 

[Stef]

Hi everyone.
This is my first post on this forum after taking some very sound advice for my first tiling job.
I have fitted a new bathroom and carried out all the tiling myself without any prior experience and I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out. It has taken me nearly every weekend over the whole summer so it should be good!!
Now I've got to the part I'm dreading... Silicon.
Ive already mucked up the seal round the bath so had to re-do that but luckily it looks ok and no one would ever know.
The problem I've now got is the Silicon seal required in the vertical corner of my new shower area where this is between some standard white tiles and some natural stone tiles that are ribbed, sort of like a bamboo effect.
Im terrified of getting the Silicon everywhere and in all the ridges as grouting was bad enough, but at least that wipes off. I masked all the vertical joints when grouting and even then some still creeped behind the tape.
I was hoping that one of you expert tiler may be able to offer some more invaluable advice!!
Any help would be appreciated.
thanks in advance.

When I Silicon I put a bead right down the join then spray with a diluted mix of washing up liquid & water,
Then use a Silicon tool & just work the Silicon down the join.
Use wonder wipes & take your time.

 

[White Room]

As above....

 

[cam_low]

masking off in areas may help but as above is what I do also. fugenboy be your friend !

 

[Martyn Leeds]

As above.
Practice makes perfect with Silicon..

Pics ??

 

[2020Tiling]

I had the same problem with Silicon on a recent job and it totally spoilt the look of the finish! The tiling was perfect with a 1/2mm expansion gap around the whole floor, but it might as well of been a 4mm gap buy the time I Silicon up with the tiles having a uneven lumpy finish on the top!! It looked horrid . Would on option for a neater finish be to use grout then clear Silicon over the top once dry? Done this once and it still looks perfect and the grout hasn't cracked.

 

[kilty55]

call a Silicon finisher is my advice if you want a mint finish

 

[IHB]

call a Silicon finisher is my advice if you want a mint finish

This trade is getting highly specialised - Silicon finisher, plinth trimmer, door threshold technician.

What next?

 

[peterwhayward]

I have been tiling for 40years plus and I still pay a friend (who does nothing but silicon all day) £50 to finish the job off. He makes such a perfect job of it that I feel it actually enhances the tiling. Well worth the £50, which is nothing on top of the cost of a bathroom.

 

[Stef]

50 bangers to finish off a bath??
Not a chance.

After years of practice I am as good, if not better, than any mastic man that does the job full time..

 

[John Benton]

You back already Stef?

 

[Qwerty]

This trade is getting highly specialised - Silicon finisher, plinth trimmer, door threshold technician.

What next?

Tile spacer removal labourer. Tell me I'm not the only person to employ one!?

 

[Stef]

You back already Stef?

Nope, just getting ready to party, drinking jäger bombs & vodka then hitting BCM for a foam party!!!
I was the oldest in there last night (40) & me n the wife were dancing like teenagers..

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

I have seen these silicon finishers, and they are Great at it with just a few wooden sticks it take them seconds, i never need the services of them in swimming pools ,but they would do a much better job than Me !! thats for sure

 

[kilty55]

the thing with the mastic profile tools is there is wastage, it also takes longer but they are good

i can Silicon well but a full bathroom top, bottom and internal joints takes time the Silicon finsiher i use does it in about 15 minutes max and no wastage so it makes more financial sense for me to use him, wouldnt see past him now