Getting silicone neat

[thomp1983]

Hi all,

I need to silicone in around a upvc cill. My past attempts have had mixed results, usually I tape either side of the gap leaving a gap the size I want the silicone to finish at.

I'll then apply the silicone, wipe the excess off then remove the tape then smooth the bits the tape raised up which as often as not leaves an untidy edge.

Should I be leaving the tape on till the silicone is dry, if so how do I then remove it as the silicone will be stuck to it?

Thanks
Chris

 

[flameport]

These or a similar equivalent:

Cramer Fugi Profiling Tool Set

Once you start to use this Cramer silicone profiling kit you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. The three piece set has 16 different ways to smooth newly applied sealant, giving a professional finish. It eliminates any bumps or gaps, no matter what size profile you are looking for. It...

www.toolstation.com

Tape is useless, and if you leave the tape until the silicone has set, the tape will be there for ever.

 

[Wayners]

Tape method works well if silicone is narrow and shallow.
Can be neat.
Better using tools as above if they are suitable, like around bath

 

[cdbe]

Tape can be useful if you struggle to apply an even bead - apply the silicone, tool it so the gap is filled and fairly even then IMMEDIATELY remove it - this will give you a good starting point for tooling it.

 

[feynman]

Search for Charlie DIYte on youtube and watch his video on applying silicone sealant. He has fully researched, and once and for all shown, how to properly and correctly apply silicone sealant, and why the other methods are substandard.

No tape, no fingers, no mess, no bother. He has completely cracked it and gets very neat and long lasting results.

I did a very large 2 storey high window that leaked and which the installation company had been back to (before we bought the house), and supposedly resealed using the finger method - It didn't work, and the frame still leaked. The finger and tape method results in very thin, mechanically weak edges to the seal which are not robust and will eventually lift and allow moisture underneath them.

I stripped it all off and did it all again myself, using Charlie DIYte's preparation and methodology, and the result was a strong, robust and watertight seal.

Also, make sure that you use sealant with the correct modulus for the task - Charlie goes into all that as well.

 

[ETAF]

my other half now does all the silicon, she has redone various rooms ...... She didn't like how i did it....

i purchased the cramer kit 7 when it was on offer, from plumbworld £15 , and she loves using it

so a +1 for the kit ,

we have used a tool from "the range" £1 and that was OK too

 

[foxhole]

You can get a foil masking tape dispenser which is very thin tape and when peeled off at acute angle leaves no lip in the silicon .