Silicone solution ?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by HarryS, Oct 21, 2018.

  1. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    I have used silicone for years to seal bathroom joints etc . Now I am not the fastest , but I can run a very smooth seal . I clean the joints throughly . Very lightly rub down with a light abrasive Scotchbrite. Wipe clean and then degrease with meths. I ensure that the silicone is well in date and a good brand , Screwfix's (?)
    The joint below is a porcelain shower base to a small upvc panel . Outside the shower so is not getting wet . After a month or so lightly rubbing a finger over it has the effect in photo. It seems dry and not elastic like normal silicone . Second time I have made this joint with the same problem. I used a Mapei silicone , solvent based.
    Any suggestions ? New silicone make ?
    TIA

    DSC_0194.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
  2. Freddy

    Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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    Strange. I used a branded sealant around the bath, no problems. ‘Unibond’, I think.
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      That looks to me as though something is curing the silicone too fast, or over-curing it - - but I can't see how that would happen? :scratch:

      Do you have any isopropyl alcohol to hand? I would be tempted to gut it out, use some isopropyl to clean the surfaces off, and then switch to a different brand of silicone. I had some great stuff a while back, but I am stuffed if I can remember the brand name. Blue and yellow packaging... bear with and I will have a mooch about.
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Not sure really, could be a bad batch.
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            If FC's idea doesn't work I wonder if using grout first and then covering with sealant would make a difference.
             
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              If moisture, when applying the sealant, is causing that, Harry, I would recommend using...

              [​IMG]

              When my Observatory was installed to the bare concrete base it rained and they couldn't use ordinary sealant as it wouldn't cure properly when wet so water was gaining ingress between where the Observatory wall met the concrete base:wallbanging:. I did some research and found this sealant which is designed to cure when wet or actually under water and solved the problem. It ain't cheap at £10 a tube but it would cure properly and not divide into segments as yours appears to have done.
               
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              • HarryS

                HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                Thanks all for the input. I will dump the current silicone I have . I was also having doubts about meths cleaning , although have used it for years . I have some isopropyl lens cleaner , so I will use that. I'll use the best ( most expensive ?) silicone I can get - Unibond from Screwfix at £9.99. I don't want to walk 1 mile around B and Q for one item . So I'll hold the CT1 in reserve.
                I'll remake the joint this week - It's a bit of a pain removing all the old silicone and cleaning it. So lets hope this is the answer :blue thumb:
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Never seen silicone sealant go like that, it almost looks like it has hardened and then shrunk.:scratch:
                  You say solvent based @HarryS , as far as I know there are two types, acetic cure (smells of vinegar) and neutral cure which is probably more used for glazing, but i've never seen either go like that.
                  The CT1 stuff is supposed to be the dogs small balls, but we only use it if the customer has allergies to the normal stuff.
                   
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                  • HarryS

                    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                    Now the Geocel is an interesting sealant . Screwfix sell it . My joint is outside the shower and 100% dry so hopefully the Unibond sanitary sealant will do the job
                     
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                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                      Yes the one that smells like vinegar is the type I use . The solvent free is just being introduced.
                      The sealant has gone like plasticine in just over a month - never seen that before - must be a duff batch ?
                       
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                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        The Works sealant is obviously made of different chemicals and doesn't smell, as I recall, of acetic acid. I would seriously recommend it.:love30::thumbsup::snorky:
                         
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                        • HarryS

                          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                          Well I replaced my silicone yesterday. I cleared out all my old silicone from the garage . I found I had used a cheap silicone from a local DIY shop , I usually use a good Screwfix brand . Anyway it was easy cleaning the old silicone away it virtually rubbed off like plasticine ! A good cleaning with Scotchbrite and lens cleaner , then a 10mm fillet with Unibond - looks good .
                          I think the lesson is do not use cheap silicone :wallbanging:
                           
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                          • Fat Controller

                            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                            Fingers crossed that it works out for you @HarryS
                             
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                            • wiseowl

                              wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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                              Silicon,Sealant,Tiles,you lot are spoilt:whistle: no need for any of these in Woos nest:smile:

                              :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                              Tin-bath-in-front-of-fire.jpg
                               
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