how to Silicon..

[DHTiling]

The best advice I can give you is to apply the Silicon sparingly, If you miss a little bit you can always go back afterwards and fill the gap!
After applying the bead DO NOT WET YOUR FINGER WITH SALIVA to run down the bead, this is not effective!


[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=+1]TOP TIP[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]AFTER APPLYING THE BEAD OF Silicon WET YOUR FINGER WITH WASHING UP LIQUID.[/SIZE]​

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[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/Silicon%20CUT%20NOZZLE.jpg[/FONT]



[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/Silicon%20tube.jpg [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Silicon SEALANT [/FONT]


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[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]SEALANT GUN [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/Silicon%20eater.jpg [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Silicon EATER [/FONT]



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WASHING UP LIQUID​

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[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Keep plenty of washing up liquid to hand when using Silicon and plenty of Kitchen towel as you will need somewhere to wipe the excess Silicon![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Wait until the next day and remove the washing up liquid by wiping, this normally does not affect the Silicon in any way at all![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Silicon has some excellent properties, mainly it's water resistance and flexibility. This makes it ideal for use anywhere, it's uses are unlimited. There is even a heat resistant version of Silicon![/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]SEALING AROUND A BATH[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Sealing the edge around a bath is normally done with either Silicon sealant or bathroom and kitchen sealant, there is a small difference between the chemical make up of these two products but they appear identical.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Before beading around the bath it is essential to remove any traces of old Silicon, this can be done by cutting it away with a sharp knife or you can now purchase "Silicon eater" which makes removal far easier![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Ensure the surfaces to be beaded are 100% dry and clean![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Remove the bath panel from the bath and ensure that it is supported sufficiently underneath, most baths when fitted only have a metal frame around them and a set of legs! This is not really good enough to support the bath fully and as a consequence the weight of the bath when filled with water and the weight of the adult in the bath causes it to flex and move away from the wall slightly therefore breaking the bead of Silicon. Cast iron baths do not suffer from the flexing problem but can move slightly with all the weight in the bath![/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]To ensure the bath does not move much or flex it is a good idea to place either some house bricks or blocks or wood between the bottom of the bath and the floorboards, in most cases this will stop the bath from moving and therefore breaking the seal![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Ensure that the bricks/blocks of wood are a tight fit between the bottom of the bath and the floorboards, you may need to use a combination of different size materials to get a tight fit between the two! Replace the bath panel.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Now fill the bath to just below the overflow, this will mean the bath is pulled slightly from the wall, you will not see the movement as it is minute![/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Apply a small but constant bead of Silicon all the way around the edges of the bath which are to be sealed, now cover your beading finger of choice (it will normally be your middle or forefinger) with washing up liquid and draw it along the bead of Silicon. If you get a build up of Silicon on your finger wipe it off with kitchen towel or similar, wet finger again with washing up liquid and continue until finished. Remove any excessive Silicon with washing up liquid and kitchen roll. Leave till the next day and wipe clean with a damp cloth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Arial, Helvetica]Although you can normally pick Silicon sealant up for around a pound a tube it is always best to save what you can as it always comes in useful, do this by screwing a tight fitting screw into the nozzle, this stops the air getting to the Silicon and curing it![/FONT]
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This info is courtesy of>>> [DLMURL]http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/silicone_sealant.htm[/DLMURL]

 

[dean39]

Excellent post for newbies dh:hurray:

 

[quick draw macgraw]

Hi,

you can now buy silicon appliers now instead of using your finger, only couple of pounds although must use washing up liquid like you say dave spray mine on using bottle mixed with water. (cheers darren)

Steve.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Why washing up liquid, why not just water? Silicon doesn't stick to water!

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

This is just a quick guide for newbies....

I use water and washing up-liquid mix in a spray bottle..spray over the Silicon once you have put the bead in place then it doesn't spread out any further than what it was touching before you sprayed it..thus leaving a nice neat line of Silicon.. not spread up the tiles or all over your fingers....the soapy water stops it sticking.........hope this helps...

 

[connor]

I had problems getting the desired effect for Silicon. I have used the spray method with washing up liquid, but I have to say that the most effective tool and finish I have acheived is with the JML Silicon kit. Absolutely spot on. You'ill never look back. Highly recommended

 

[tysfoot]

Do You Use It With Masking Tape

 

[DHTiling]

no..?..........

 

[tysfoot]

why not.

This is what i do


Mask it either side, then spread the Silicon, the use my finger , then take the masking tape off,,,, is this wrong

 

[DHTiling]

Spread the Silicon thinly and evenly and then spray soapy water over it and then tool in ..much neater and quicker.......

 

[tysfoot]

ill try that then

 

[robbo]

conner, is this the jml kit you were talking about?

broken link removed

Anyone else own one?

[SIZE=-1] [/SIZE]

 

[brian c]

good post Dave,use this method myself m8.

 

[GazTech]

me 2......Gaz

 

[tiler burden]

you can make your own tool with a looly ice stick, prefereably a walls magnum. lol

 

[tiler burden]

sorry , that should have read 'lolly ice stick', thought i was scottish 4 a second

 

[brian c]

sorry , that should have read 'lolly ice stick', thought i was scottish 4 a second

easy tiger!

 

[robbo]

yum, i love loolys, good tip tiler burden..

 

[DHTiling]

hi ed..where can you buy these loolys at mate..........

 

[Perry]

they come free with sillycone :lol:
----
nothing wrong with us dyslexic`s just a bit slow (at typing)

 

[connor]

Robbo that is the one mate. Like I said before you'll never look back. Takes all the stress away!!!!!!

 

[user123]

I know this is an old thread, but what a great one! Just looked for a tip how to remove old Silicon and how to stop the rest in the tube from drying out and hadn't thought of the tightfitting screw, (I know I should have) - great!

The siliconing is just the way Darren taught us and works a treat - especially when the process doesn't get interrupted by a phonecall that can't be ignored, which means the surplus silicon had been left to sit there for half an hour and now I got to take it all off and start again...:mad2: what a right mess....:incazzato:not good for a perfectionist... off to get some silicon eater which will hopefully be in stock somewhere in town....:incazzato:😛rrr:

 

[davy_G]

As with Dave, Silicon a nice bead, then spray with water/washing liquid mix and pick a finger to suit the finish i want.
Not fond of the Silicon tools i have tried even the KD ones.

 

[mikethetile]

good post dave

i was taught the same method

but i still find a finger is best

 

[mikit]

great for a novice like me thanks

 

[brian c]

old ones are the best(threads that is):lol:

 

[jay]

the reason you dont use sylivia (spit) is the bacteria in your mouth is forced into Silicon and causes it to go moldy real quick (normaly black in color ):8:

 

[mags]

Same method I use but I silcone BEFORE I Grout then I don't have to chip grout out of the gaps.

 

[mjp770]

baby wipes are amazing for siliconing wipe your finger with the baby wipe and rub across Silicon, continue till you get a perfect clean joint.