How do you apply a bead of bathroom sealant?
Discussion
One DIY job which I hate is applying sealant round the edges of worktops / sanitaryware etc.
On the face of it, what could be simpler - but getting a thin, uniform bead always seems to evade me
I've tried masking tape and various finishing tools, but these often make matters worse! Is it just a case of practising and having confidence?
On the face of it, what could be simpler - but getting a thin, uniform bead always seems to evade me
I've tried masking tape and various finishing tools, but these often make matters worse! Is it just a case of practising and having confidence?
Run your sealant around area,get a spray bottle fill with water and washing up liquid,spray around tiles and over sealant(sealant wont stick to the washing up liquid).Get a lollypop stick with a curved edge,press lightly on sealand and run along sealant.So easy.If you are doing the bath,make sure you fill it up with water and leave overnight.
Mart
Mart
I tend to pick up some new tips and tricks for sealing every time I do it.
Make sure the surface is as clean as possible, so use a clotch and white spirit/turps to get off any unwanted muck and dust.
Make sure you only use the minimum amount of sealant. If you use too much, its much harder. If the gaps are bigger, then maybe do a few runs with the sealant gun, but wait till the first run is dry first.
As for the smooth finish, I've always used a wet finger combined with a bit of toilette roll. Seems to do the trick.
Its worth experimenting with brands too. Some are better than others. Think I had bit more success with unibond vs Screwfix own brand.
I finished the tiling in my kitchen recently and that looked fine.
Make sure the surface is as clean as possible, so use a clotch and white spirit/turps to get off any unwanted muck and dust.
Make sure you only use the minimum amount of sealant. If you use too much, its much harder. If the gaps are bigger, then maybe do a few runs with the sealant gun, but wait till the first run is dry first.
As for the smooth finish, I've always used a wet finger combined with a bit of toilette roll. Seems to do the trick.
Its worth experimenting with brands too. Some are better than others. Think I had bit more success with unibond vs Screwfix own brand.
I finished the tiling in my kitchen recently and that looked fine.
I use something similar to these (bought mine in Lidl IIRC sometime ago): http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-smoothing-to...
Also as mentioned buy good quality sealant.
Applying sealant/caulk/etc. was once I job I feared now it is so easy. Put a decent bead of it down carefully with the gun, then simply run the tool over it wiping away the excess as it build up. Perfectly smooth sealant and no mess.
Also as mentioned buy good quality sealant.
Applying sealant/caulk/etc. was once I job I feared now it is so easy. Put a decent bead of it down carefully with the gun, then simply run the tool over it wiping away the excess as it build up. Perfectly smooth sealant and no mess.
1) Buy decent sealant
2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
roofer said:
1) Buy decent sealant
2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
And as its your first time, a couple tubs of Wonder Wipes.2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
toasty said:
That bath looks pretty useless to me, it hasn't got any taps - why would you even bother sealing it?As said, mask it, apply a uniform bead of decent silicon, wipe with wet finger.
roofer said:
1) Buy decent sealant
2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
Agree, apart from not spraying water on sealant.2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
We spray both, the point of the water is to stop it sticking to areas you don't want it to, even with a new Fugenboy you can get a smear if done dry.
roofer said:
1) Buy decent sealant
2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
Agree, apart from not spraying water on sealant.2) Buy a decent gun
3) Have correct tooling stick for application
4) Cut nozzle at correct angle cleanly, no burrs on tip
5) Make sure there are minimal obstructions that will stop you moving with the gun
6) When tooling spray solution onto tool, not the sealant.
If you have applied the sealant well , tooling should be minimal.
We spray both, the point of the water is to stop it sticking to areas you don't want it to, even with a new Fugenboy you can get a smear if done dry.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff