Silicone is a highly versatile product with many uses around the home, from filling the gaps in between your bath and tiles to sealing up holes in window frames. Every household should know how to apply it effectively and safely. Silicone sealants come in several different types, according to your needs.
In order to get the best from your silicone use, just follow our step-by-step guide using sovereign silicone and you won’t go far wrong.
Which Type to Use?
Silicone comes in numerous different types, and choosing the most appropriate one for your needs is paramount to completing the job correctly.
Is your job an indoor one or an outdoor one which needs to be weatherproof? If indoor, is it being used in the bathroom and need to be waterproof or contain a fungicide to stave off the mould? Do you need it to be flexible, or are you going to paint over it? All of these considerations will have to be taken into account when choosing which type to use.
Make sure you check the silicone you are buying before you get it home – if it is the wrong type, you will not get the correct finish and may have to start again.
Preparation
The first step to take, once you have ensured you have the right silicone for the job in hand, is to prepare the surface you are intending to apply it to.
You cannot apply silicone effectively to a surface which is wet and/or covered in dirt and debris, so make sure to thoroughly dry out the area first before removing any surface dust, dirt and loose material. If there is old silicone in place, remove it first using a knife or scraper.
Any glue, sealant or oil residues should be removed using an appropriate degreaser or cleaning agent. It is essential the area you are going to apply silicone to is free from anything which will affect its performance.
Masking
If you want a neat finish to your sealant, you will need to mask off the area to make sure you do not apply any silicone to the surrounding material.
Apply masking tape so it covers both sides of the line you are going to be sealing, and remember to remove the tape before the silicone sealant is dry or else it will get stuck on to the surface.
Applying the Silicone
The best way to apply silicone sealant is by using a silicone gun. These allow the silicone to be gently and accurately squeezed out of the tube, maximising efficiency as well as enabling the best possible finish.
First, cut off a small part of the tip of the applicator nozzle to give you the correct-sized line of silicone sealant. Make sure not to cut off too much or the silicone will come out too thick – the best size is around 1-2mm wider than the gap that needs filling.
Load the cartridge in the sealant gun, and then pull on the handle to apply the silicone. Don’t pull too hard or too fast so you retain control. The best working angle is about 45 degrees, and the most effective way to apply is towards you.
Finishing Off
The best way to finish off silicone sealant is to wet your finger or a blunt knife with soapy water and use this to smooth out the sealant.
Remove any extra sealant with a wet cloth – once it is dry, any sealant in the wrong place can be taken off using a knife or scraper. And there you have it, a perfectly neat seal.
We hope the advice from Sovereign Chemicals was able to help and make the job simple.
COMMENTS