Silicone sealant lifting from bath edge

[braniff]

Old sealant knifed out, remnants rubbed off (I never had success with that sealant removal gel), rubbed surfaces with solvent or IPA.

After a year or so the bead lets go, in isolated spots, of the bath or shower tray surface, whilst staying stuck to the tiles. If allowed to, the separation spreads so that inches at a time are lifted.

In at least one case I used the most expensive sealant in the range. Same issue.

Any specialist pro tricks to avoid this?

Many Thanks - braniff

 

[Nozzle]

Did you half-fill the bath with water before applying?

Nozzle

 

[braniff]

Thanks Nozzle, yes indeed I was familiar with that precaution.

I wonder whether, despite having done that, the baths and the shower tray still flex a bit as one steps in and moves around, although I've never yet been able to actually see one move (when half filling as above).

 

[foxhole]

Contaminated surface.

 

[braniff]

What would be the ideal cleaner?

 

[foxhole]

One option
https://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect....MI3uyEhduw6AIV1ZTVCh3tRwzDEAQYBCABEgJgP_D_BwE

 

[lostinthelight]

I use high alcohol content methylated spirits on a soft rag and rub it till it squeaks.
Got a better use for meths these days though

 

[HERTS P&D]

Yep. I always use Meths.

Andy

 

[braniff]

I appreciate the link and the hints. More to this skill than I thought. Disappointed to read I can't layer silicone to build it up, so I could be revisiting anyway...

What about the L - section plastic strips? Ugly sometimes, but can anyone recommend a type? I've used the one in a roll, but it is reluctant to hold the L shape without pieces of wood and weights to hold it in place.

Thanks All, for the education.

 

[IT Minion]

Yep. I always use Meths.

Andy

That explains a lot

 

[HERTS P&D]

That explains a lot

Its also good for cleaning around the bath before siliconing.

Andy

 

[ReJect]

Is the bath plastic? All standard thickness plastic baths will flex and require either glued to wall using silicone or similar and a baton of timber (2”X1”) screwed to walls all around the bottom of bath edges to give firm support.
Doesn’t matter if you first fill a plastic bath with water method, if the bath is plastic it will move with weight pushed on it or perhaps even temperature variations.

Isopropyl will clean surfaces well, but probably difficult to source at present as alcohol kills virus