siliconing technique...

[ian158]

...when your siliconing what do you do to get a neat bead..do you use those tape things...do you use your finger or a bead tool..do you use a trigger spray with some fairy..or are you just perfect from the tube...

also when your doing corners of baths how to you not smudge when three beads meet ?

 

[Alan.P]

I just use a smallish bead and my finger, as for corners, a bit of practice makes it easier.

 

[ian158]

Ive been using a tool that has 3 different width rubber formers...gives a nice bead and don't get it on my fingers anymore...found a spray called tec 7 that i spray on before i Silicon to clean area..silicon..spray again and even makes Bal Silicon look good !

 

[Ian]

I use tools that are called fugen ***, lol! I think they may have changed the name to joint boy or something like that, they have 16 different profile sizes over 4 tools
As for where vertical meets horizontal, a bit of practice makes it easier or do the verticals first and let them cure before doing the horizontals.

 

[Marksmithtiling]

This is the kit I use same as Bri, great finish all different sizes.Cramer Fugi 5 Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[Qwerty]

Agreed. I use fugen kit. Rarely have to smooth out afterwards

 

[merit]

ive tried to smooth out with my fingers but they must be like sausages it never lays even , with the fungi its perfect

 

[ian158]

I've been told you shouldn't use your finger as your putting bacteria in the wet Silicon ...dunno how true that is

 

[Bubblecraft]

I use my finger (slightly wet) for smaller beads & I have an old credit card that I've cut in all 4 corners to different profiles for larger beads where required

 

[John Benton]

I've been told you shouldn't use your finger as your putting bacteria in the wet Silicon ...dunno how true that is

It's not the bacteria on your finger, it's when you lick your finger and use the saliva, ladened with nasties, that puts bacteria into the silicon.

 

[Martino]

For a perfect bead i use masking tape. nice neat finish when its a contrasting Silicon to the tile.

 

[masterofnone]

I spray with fairy mix and then run over with index finger nail(back side). Keep my finger wet with fairy mix and clean my finger on a clean cloth as i go.

 

[kilty55]

i use a guy from edinburgh Silicon solutions the finish is perfection and pretty cheap as well

 

[Ian]

i use a guy from edinburgh Silicon solutions the finish is perfection and pretty cheap as well

Have you watched him do it? What tool does he use?

 

[kilty55]

aye bri, he rips down timber to small sticks and slices them to suit different profile thicknesses uses a spray bottle and a stick mate the finish is dynamite

 

[Ian]

I think the key to a good Silicon bead is getting the right amount out of the tube first, a good siliconer (?) will have to do very little to profile it after, hardly any waste either.

 

[kilty55]

thats it mate the guy has zero waste

 

[andy8758]

Practice. Cutting the right profile on the Silicon tube tip. Practice. Water or better still w/up liquid and water. Practice. Use any profile that gives a consistent sealed bead (including your finger). Practice. Practice. practice. I bet Phil Hobson is the best siliconer here - he's gotta have been practicing for the last 50 years.

 

[Rookery]

I use my finger (slightly wet) for smaller beads & I have an old credit card that I've cut in all 4 corners to different profiles for larger beads where required

Is it an American Express card, so you can do the job quicker? :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Peter]

Some days I'm a master of Silicon and other days it needs hoked out and redone. :lol:

A lot of it seems to come from how neatly you get it out of the tube to start with, if you have a nice clean bead then you're flying. I tend to have a lot of waste with the Silicon tools, but as long as it's neat then I don't mind. They're hard to judge as you either seem to have far too much or far too little. Some low modulus is great, you don't even need a shaper.

Find that Mr Muscle is better than Fairy and dries off walls/joints more naturally too.

 

[charlie1]

I use wickes rubber profiling tool, it's shaped in such a way that if you turn it you can get pretty much any size profile you like. Apply, spray, profile. Always Silicon from bottom up, ie, do floors, then shower tray, then bath then last, do the corners, tis way your not adding moisture to anywhere that's not been sealed.

 

[One Day]

I've found that the quality of Silicon is the number 1 key. 2nd is getting a good end on the tip.
9 out of 10 I can now not bother tooling the bead but if I do it's just the old Karl Dahm set, used dry and cleaned up with wonder wipes afterwards.

Oh, and a skeleton gun you can trust too! I have an old rusty one which I keep alive with wd40 - somehow it just works better than any others I've tried!

 

[Peter]

Funny that, I can read my own Silicon gun like a second hand novel but when I use someone else's it can feel very vague.

 

[Paul Smith]

Masking tape with water and washing up liquid. Once tape is removed, go over once with wet finger.

 

[prceramics]

i use my finger and have wet wipes to hand so you do not need to lick your finger then use them to clean off, stops bacteria getting into the Silicon, and also stops the Silicon getting in your mouth as it causes cancer i hear .

 

[widler]

Finger,if i take my time its very neat, i go around all bath /shower at once then use my finger and bacteria,better finish with bacteria.
Im kinda joking there,how in the gods do u all know bacteria makes it go gar gar, seriously you lads would believe owt.
I want scientific proof,its goes mouldy cos of constantly wet nowt to do with bacteria
🙂 jesus h Christ 🙂

 

[Qwerty]

Seriously widler, mould on Silicon is nearly always due to the old "saliva wipe" technique.

The most common type of bacteria found in saliva is Streptococcus. People typically have Streptococcus in their mouths living benignly, although certain species are responsible for diseases such as strep throat, meningitis and bacterial pneumonia. Now tell me how that wouldn't cause mould (bacteria). Bacteria multiplies in damp and warm conditions i.e bathrooms!!

I will stick to my forming tools and fairy liquid thanks!

 

[widler]

So if that was the case wouldnt it grow everywhere in bathrooms ? I mean, its only usually around the wet areas is it not ?
I re did my ensuite last year ( or maybe the year before) with the Silicon things and a spray, not any saliva , guess what ,its still mouldy around the wet areas in the showers, not in the corners mind just where its wet.
When i did my kitchen with me fingers and saliva its got mouldy around my sink no doubt about it but everywhere else not a bit.
Seriously mate we aint flippin komodo dragons 🙂 folk read stuff and believe it to be true when in fact using saliva does not make a iota of difference in wet areas.
Ps im not saying we don't have bacteria in our mouths, jeez ive had enough coldsores offa dirty women but it being the reason it makes Silicon mouldy 🙂 🙂

 

[Qwerty]

Ok widler. Im speaking from both experience with Silicon and also when I have attended mapei hq in Halesowen where I discussed this matter with the technical guys there. Here is a link to an Aussie Silicon company that specifically mention saliva in their technical specs!

http://www.insulationindustries.com.au/SiteFiles/insulationindustries2010comau/770data.pdf

Do you just disbelieve that it encourages mould growth or do you have any evidence it doesn't?

 

[widler]

Oh jesus h christ, forget it,i have proved it will grow with or without it,with using your finger and with using fairy.
If a bit of bacteria makes it happen quicker then maybe it does but even wonder Silicon with fabulous mould resistant technology 🙂 with grow mould in a short while.
Its blocko aint it?
Listen bud why dont you do a test piece( i did un beknown to me) i know some of you wonder tilers like your little tests, and come back in 12 months time,pm me with pics .
Thats me done on this one, come back in 12 months with your finding prof

 

[Qwerty]

forget it,i have proved it will grow with or without it,with using your finger and with using fairy.
If a bit of bacteria makes it happen quicker then maybe it does

Im sorry that Widler misinterpreted me giving sound advice as arguing, but again I strongly disagree to his last observation. Saliva used to smooth Silicon WILL cause mould at some point, there is no maybe about it. This will be sped up in damp & warm areas. Hygiene plays a big part too I guess, as a good cleaning regime afterwards will keep any potential new bacteria at bay.

Not once have I had any of my previous customers have any of their Silicon mould. I have used mapei & dow corning Silicon, forming tools and fresh fairy water mix on each & every one of them (including my own!.....see photo below).

This is the corner of my shower which is used twice a day most days by my wife & I. This is now nearly 5 years old and proof enough for me ........no need for a 12 month test either.



Below is a photo of a new build flat where the builder used his saliva to smooth the Silicon (flat was around two years old). I was asked by the owner to renew the Silicon only.

Below I have attached a photo of my Silicon afterwards (grout still mouldy I know but that is what comes with builder using all in one addy & grout!). This photo was taken around 9 months AFTER I siliconed it when I returned to re-seal their travertine splash back.