messed up silicone sealant job

[john777]

Hi, I have just installed a new showerbath and tiles, and got a good end result.

I have just applied Silicon Sealant to the edges etc, and have made a right pigs ear of it.

Its messy, and I have lips where i managed to get soapy water (which I used for smoothing) underneath some edges opf the sealant, and now have little lips that haven't stuck down.

How easy would it be to remove it all and start again? I wouldn't want to damage my new bath/tiles with cutting knives etc, so what options do I have to remove it, and would I be able to clean the existing sealant off sufficiently to allow a water-tight bond from the new sealant I would apply ?

Should I call out a professional mastic-person (if there is such a thing?)

Thanks
John

[hillhead]

Get a tube of silicon eater from tradetiler.com,
it'll save you a lot of hassle

[Phil Hobson]

As Joe says, silicon is not easy unless you are used to it. Try practising on a scrap piece of cardboard. keep the flow as steady as you can, then spray whith diluted washing up liquid, you can buy tools for finishing, rather than using your finger. Hope this makes sense

[surflaur]

Be carefull the silicon eater doesn't damage the plastic shower. I always use razor blades to remove silicon, works a treat as they are very flexible.

[Burnsy]

Get a tube of silicon eater from tradetiler.com,
it'll save you a lot of hassle

Is that any good? Never used it.

[Daz]

John,

Have a look in your local tile shops for a "Cornertape" stockist or goto (Cornertape Perfect Silicone Joints Every Time). They have products for removing the old silicone and a product that will enable you to get the result that you are looking for without having to pay a professional.

Good luck and just take your time.

Daz

[mikethetile]

cut the top off with a minimal hole

[timeless john]

and as the Captain says - Cornertape!

[brendanbreeze]

I'm still fairly new to tiling and siliconing was always the job I dreaded, as my attempts always looked rough and spoilt the tiling work to some extent. But then I discovered Cornertape and have used it ever since. It's simple to use, quite cheap and gives a perfect finish.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

Brendan

[enduro]

Some sealants are a nightmare to use...i only tend to use Mapei from Tile giant or Dow corning, they are the ones i have found to be the best.

[nybor62]

take the advice and get some corner tape

[Mike]

Hi, I have just installed a new showerbath and tiles, and got a good end result.

I have just applied Silicon Sealant to the edges etc, and have made a right pigs ear of it.

Its messy, and I have lips where i managed to get soapy water (which I used for smoothing) underneath some edges opf the sealant, and now have little lips that haven't stuck down.

How easy would it be to remove it all and start again? I wouldn't want to damage my new bath/tiles with cutting knives etc, so what options do I have to remove it, and would I be able to clean the existing sealant off sufficiently to allow a water-tight bond from the new sealant I would apply ?

Should I call out a professional mastic-person (if there is such a thing?)

Thanks
John

as mike the tile says, minimal hole, and try using clear wherever possible as it wont show so much on the different colour bath/shower tray/enclosure

[Big-Smudge]

Hi, I have just installed a new showerbath and tiles, and got a good end result.

I have just applied Silicon Sealant to the edges etc, and have made a right pigs ear of it.

Its messy, and I have lips where i managed to get soapy water (which I used for smoothing) underneath some edges opf the sealant, and now have little lips that haven't stuck down.

How easy would it be to remove it all and start again? I wouldn't want to damage my new bath/tiles with cutting knives etc, so what options do I have to remove it, and would I be able to clean the existing sealant off sufficiently to allow a water-tight bond from the new sealant I would apply ?

Should I call out a professional mastic-person (if there is such a thing?)

Thanks
John

Hi John,

PM me with your address, and we'll find you a stockist of the 'cornertape system'.

Do you know, you must be the first person to admit that spraying the whole area down with water + washing up liquid has given the problem you describe. And although its comon sense the edges won't stick, lots of people still do it.

Cheers Andy

[Dan]

I was going to say this is definitely a job for CornerTape!

I know a few pro tilers who use it and many newer tilers that say it's a god send. It can spoil a job right at the end when you least expect it, and it's always a bit of a nightmare to get off without the right stuff.

[wildcard]

I used the karl dahm tool that i bought from trade tiler for the first time at the training center.I think this is a nice joint.

[facetile]

Trick i was shown was to apply the sealant then use a empty silicon tube and squeeze it so it is more oval than round. Starting from one end of where you applied the silicon push the empty oval tube along the joint slowly so that all the excess goes into the used tube. It takes away all the excess, does not leave mess on either yourself walls, bath, worktop etc. Works a treat.

[Big-Smudge]

There's a multitude of methods used to varying degrees of success but there is just one single factor that determines wether the method used is a success or mess and that is:

YOU MUST LAY DOWN A CONSISTANT LINE OF SILICONE

with every single method, which is of course the one thing that most people struggle with, hell if you're good enough you could use the cap of a felt tip pen.

The exception to the rule is of course:

Well you work it out.................

no skill required
faster
consistant
less mess
less stress

And at the new much lower retails you can't afford not to use it, hehehe.

nuff said,

Cheers
Andy

[Burnsy]

There's a multitude of methods used to varying degrees of success but there is just one single factor that determines wether the method used is a success or mess and that is:

YOU MUST LAY DOWN A CONSISTANT LINE OF SILICONE

with every single method, which is of course the one thing that most people struggle with, hell if you're good enough you could use the cap of a felt tip pen.

The exception to the rule is of course:

Well you work it out.................

no skill required
faster
consistant
less mess
less stress

And at the new much lower retails you can't afford not to use it, hehehe.

nuff said,

Cheers
Andy

Hi mate,

Were's the nearest supplier to me - Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire area? PM me if you like. Cheers

[Big-Smudge]

Hi mate,

Were's the nearest supplier to me - Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire area? PM me if you like. Cheers

PM'd

Cheers
Andy

[andleivers]

Big smudge

Could you pm the local supplier to me also please. Based in Nottingham

Cheers

[Big-Smudge]

Big smudge

Could you pm the local supplier to me also please. Based in Nottingham

Cheers

PM'd

cheers
Andy

[jolly fix]

the corner tape stuff looks good,never used it,dont know the cost etc,i assume you just add the price of it to the job..... tips .....practice,practice,practice make sure silicone area bone dry.small hole on nozzle,dont cut the nozzle sg,cut at an angle. dont cut it at a 45 angle,then use your gun at a 60 .apply one consistant line,dont apply it to thick (its always less than what you think),smooth off in a consistant line.i tried to use a smoothing tool one time ,couldnt get the hang of it,didnt feel right for me but thats just me,i still use the ole finger (wet it). like most things what ever works for you.practice,practice,practice.nozzle extention tubes +multi angle (swivel )nozzles pack of 5 less than a £1.00 are handy too

[angers]

Hi

try nail varnish remover - clear or light pink - use it with a cotton cloth, one that is tough, pour remover on to the silicon and leave for a bit and pour some more on and then rub. Removes stubborn grout too

[nickbott]

Hi mate,

Were's the nearest supplier to me - Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire area? PM me if you like. Cheers

Big smudge

Could you pm the local supplier to me also please. Based in Nottingham

Cheers

Seems like I'm jumping on the bandwagon, but I'm also based in Nottingham and am very interested in your product Big-Smudge - would you be able to PM me the supplier details? Many thanks in advance

[Big-Smudge]

Seems like I'm jumping on the bandwagon, but I'm also based in Nottingham and am very interested in your product Big-Smudge - would you be able to PM me the supplier details? Many thanks in advance

PM'd

Cheers
Andy

[Saxby76]

Big Smudge - a bit late in joining this discussion but i am after a local stockist in the Ashford, Kent area please can you PM me.

[Bri]

Big Smudge - a bit late in joining this discussion but i am after a local stockist in the Ashford, Kent area please can you PM me.

You can order it online, click the cornertape sponsor to the left or Cornertape.net

[Saxby76]

Thanks Bri. I was trying avoid expensive delivery charges if possible.

[Sir Ramic]

Thanks Bri. I was trying avoid expensive delivery charges if possible.

Do you have a CTD local ? They used to sell it, not sure if they still do.

Unit E3 Beaver Ind. Est
Beaver Road
Ashford
Kent
TN23 7SH

[Saxby76]

Thanks Sir Ramic. Unfortunately they only had a couple of the small packs left and plumb centre could not even find where they had put it!! Cannot understand why this is not on sale in B&Q yet or through Screwfix. DIYers would be all over this product, getting silicone right is the hardest part of a project and can make a lovely job look crap. Oh well looks like I will have to order it online and shell out for delivery as well!