How to apply silicone sealant

The composition of the sealant determines how elastic it is and how quickly it hardens. Universal sealant is a good choice for general use. For use in the bathroom or other wet areas, the best choice is a mold-resistant sealant. This avoids blackening of the joint over time. Note that some types of silicone sealant can be painted over, while others can’t.

Not all types of silicone sealant are suitable for every job. For example acrylic sealant isn’t suitable for use on glass, tiles and other smooth surfaces, while silicone rubber, Teflon and bitumen sealants have better adhesion on bitumen surfaces and roofing materials. In some cases the adhesion can be improved by first applying a coat of primer.

Most silicone sealants are available in white, gray, black, brown or transparent. You can choose the color that best matches the underlying surface, or otherwise paint the sealant the same color as the surface. Check first on the package whether the sealant can be painted over. If you intend to paint over the sealant, remember that the paint itself is not elastic, so it may crack later if there is any movement in the joint.

If the silicone sealant contains any acidic components, oxidation may take place on the underlying surface. This may happen on mirrors, stone and marble tiles, aluminium or copper. To be sure this won’t happen, choose acid-free sealant. You can easily check this by sniffing the underside of the cartridge.

If you want to fill a crack in the corner of a wall, you first have to remove all the loose material with a triangular scraper or a sharp knife. Then clean out the gap with a brush or vacuum cleaner. You should also remove any glue, sealant or oil residues with spirit or degreaser.

If you want the cleanest possible result and you’re not sure if you can apply the sealant in a perfectly straight line, especially in hard-to-reach places, then it’s best to use masking tape. Apply the tape so it covers both sides of the line to be sealed, and then remove the tape before the silicone sealant is dry.

Use a hobby knife to cut off the cartridge seal. Then cut off a small part of the tip of the applicator nozzle to give you a narrow line of silicone sealant. If you cut off a bigger part of the nozzle, the line of sealant will be wider. Make the line of sealant 1 or 2 mm wider than the gap to be filled. Then load the cartridge in the sealant gun. When you pull on the handle, the applicator nozzle will fill with sealant. Stop as soon as you can see the silicone sealant.

The best working position is to hold the sealant gun at an angle of 45° and to pull the gun towards yourself. To apply the sealant neatly you need to find the right working speed. If you move too slowly you’ll get a bumpy, irregular sealant surface, and you’ll waste sealant unnecessarily. If you move too quickly you won’t get good filling of the gap. When you reach the end of the seam release the handle and press the button or lever at the back of the sealant gun. This releases the pressure so the flow of sealant stops immediately. If you don’t do this the sealant will keep coming out of the nozzle.

Wet your finger with some soapy water in a dish or basin and then smooth out the seam. The soap prevents the silicone sealant from sticking to your finger. You can also apply some soapy water with a plant spray. Remove any remaining traces of sealant with the soapy water. After the sealant has dried you can remove it with a knife and a hard sponge. Special spatulas and cleaners are available to apply and remove silicone sealant.