silicone a bath without a blob on my finger - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

sanny · 21-01-2008

just wondering ,how you get a neat finish with silicone, when i silicone i try to put a thin bead on, then wet my finger and go over it gently, but still end up with a blob on my finger,and sometimes if im putting it on a bath that needs a thicker run,its just a mess, i hate the stuff

just watched vid of the jml tool, dont believe that,i mean where does all the excess go,or are they just not showing that bit

**Dave** · 21-01-2008

Just apply your silicone bead then spray over with a water and washing up liquid mixture..and tool in....this will prevent it sticking to anywhere you dont want it to...

Dicko1973 · 21-01-2008

Same as above but with a grout profiler from wicks about £3.99 dont even have to touch it then.

ifielding · 21-01-2008

I have just started touse a smooth out tool. Look on the bay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SILICONE-SEALA...QQcmdZViewItem

This really works and dependant on the angle you place to the wall dictates the thickness of line. It is so easy.

Ian

ifielding · 21-01-2008

I dont think the link is working on this. It is a
SEALANT SMOOTH OUT TOOL and is made by Ever Build. If you put that in google you will bring up what I am on about.

Ian

Grace'sDad · 21-01-2008

I just got one of these last week:

I laughed out loud like a madman with the beautiful finish I got!

(you still need to give a bit of thought to the amount of silicone you put down initially though - too much and it will collect on the tool - too little and you have to repeat.)
I should have bought this ages ago....
(tradetiler.com)

Home Tiler · 21-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanny

just wondering ,how you get a neat finish with silicone, when i silicone i try to put a thin bead on, then wet my finger and go over it gently, but still end up with a blob on my finger,and sometimes if im putting it on a bath that needs a thicker run,its just a mess, i hate the stuff

just watched vid of the jml tool, dont believe that,i mean where does all the excess go,or are they just not showing that bit

Well to me it sounds like your expansion joints between your bath and tile could be abit to big and also uneven....keep the expansion joint between 2 to 3mm and make sure all your tile cuts are keeping to this expansion size... make sure that when you cut the nozzle the openning isn't to big... i try to keep it to about 4mm max..
( cut at an angle) ..also as you squeeze the silicone out move it at enough speed to fill the gap....try not to stop to often .... (make the longest run as possible) ...then stop...then start again keeping at same speed as last time...now spray with with washing up liquid and water ...put plenty on it ....then have some newspaper handy which are ripped into managable pieces so you can wipe of the silicone on it... wet your finger again with washing up liquid... and repeat....you should have perfect siliconing and hardly any wastage ....remember keep your expansion joints even and you shouldn't have a problem,,

silicone does not hide bad cuts !!
keep it even mate ,,

this is what i do and works a treat but we all have diff ways i suppose
hope this helps

Steve

**Dave** · 21-01-2008

Nice one steve..you have been taking notice after all......

**grumpygrouter** · 21-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace'sDad

I just got one of these last week:

I laughed out loud like a madman with the beautiful finish I got!

(you still need to give a bit of thought to the amount of silicone you put down initially though - too much and it will collect on the tool - too little and you have to repeat.)
I should have bought this ages ago....
(tradetiler.com)

I've got this set too - brilliant! I always put on too much and end up with wastage. I find that it is better than having too little and having to go over it.

To expand on hometilers thread, I use Kitchen roll for cleaning off the profiler. If you wipe the tool on the edge of the paper you can fold the paper onto the tool and clean off. Every time you clean off the tool just keep folding the paper over. When you have finished your siliconing, tear off the folded over pieces and put in a plastic bag for disposal. Virutally no mess at all.

Grumpy

**brian c** · 21-01-2008

not much more to say on siliconing then lads.lol

frogeye · 21-01-2008

As someone who has tried every method to get a clean finish - my last attempt before the enlightenment - was to run two lengths of selotape either side of the gap ( I did say I had tried everything!) was left with a silicone seal with two ridges. Collected mould faster than a piece of cheddar under the settee.
Since the input - now use the water spray with loads of soapy - brilliant results everytime. Fingers are okay but a tool is better (don't go there!)
Be prepared ! Loads of wipey things - I use kitchen towel by the bucket load.
I saw the JML thingy and scoffed - might try it if I can find it cheap enough, but till then it will be a pen or lolipop stick - depending on the size of course.
frogeye

**martinw** · 21-01-2008

what a strange thread? i didnt know there were so many gizmos for silicone available but next time i walk past the silicone counter i will think of the forum.

the last time i siliconed i had black gunge under my finger nails for a week, sticky socks (no pun intended), all over the wall and handbasin and havent done it since. think i may get meself a gizmo!