Sealing Corner Shower

notsohandyman · Post by **notsohandyman** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:54 am

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right forum!

Can someone tell me whether you should use silicone sealant on the inside AND outside of the corner shower cubicle upright profiles (e.g holds glass against the wall)? The instructions that came with it don't make it clear but a diagram seams to suggest OUTSIDE only?

Also, in the toilets at work the silicone sealant around sinks/panels/urinals is really neat, how the hell do they get it looking so smooth and even. When I try it just smears along the surfaces, especially up the wall. I then attempt clean the excess off but it just gets worse and ends up a bit of a mess, certainly not a neat straight bead! Any tips welcome please.

Many thanks,

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:18 am

As for the clean line of silicon I think a lot of it is down to experience. I generally put a line of silicon down then I go over it with a very special tool, well actually its my wet finger. I think these was a post about this a while back discussing techniques and tools used for this.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:44 pm

The reason that they say seal the outside edge of a shower frame only is to allow water to run out on the shower tray side. If you seal it then any water penetration might not find a way out and form a nice mold factory. I squirt some bleach mix in the gaps every so often to keep it clean.

Laying silicon caulk is a rotten job and it is all down to pressure, speed of travel, nozzle angle and nozzle width. You can do it by using masking tape. Tape both sides of the channel leaving a gap the size of the desired bead. When you have run the line of caulk on carefullly pull the tape away taking excess mastic with it. Then finish lightly with the old wet finger. Keep a lot of kitchen roll squares handy

.

DWD

notsohandyman · Post by **notsohandyman** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:15 pm

Thanks for that DWD, I'll only use sealant on the outside. I was thinking of doing the inside more for aesthetics, to cover the small gap between profile and wall, but I'll leave well alone!

As for using sealant, you're right it's horrible but it can make a heap of difference to the finished job. I was hoping there was a revolutionary tool out there used by tradesmen, other than the mid-digit! The masking tape idea seems worth a try on flat surfaces but I reckon I might have problems getting it to cover properly on the grout lines between tiles.

Guess I'll just take my time and keep trying. One other question, do you find it better to push forward with the gun or pull back or doesn't it matter?

I'm hoping to post some pictures soon of the whole job. This originally started in October last year under topic

doin-up-my-bathroom-eek-t639.html

and

post15888.html?highlight=#15888

It's taken me ages but I do have a day job!

Thanks again.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:28 pm

There is an automatic mastic gun. I recall seeing a thread about it on Screwfix but I could not find the link. I think that this would be too expensive for a one off off job though.

I push the nozzle rather than pull it. You force the caulk in to the joint this way and it levels it uniformally. That is the theory anyway

I have found that the mistakes happen when you have to reset the trigger on the gun and you can get a blob. This is all down to timing really slowing down as you pull back and then pushing gently to pick up again.

I am pretty crap at doing it though. I usually end up with a pile of tissues that looks like a w*nkers convention

DWD

owen · Post by **owen** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 6:46 pm

i have started using a little rubber tool which smoothes the sealant and have found it gives a much neater finish than a finger, as it is far more effective at removing the excess.

tim'll fix it · Post by **tim'll fix it** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:41 pm

i find a wet j cloth much better for cleaning your finger when using silicone than kitchen roll

Keygs · Post by **Keygs** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:58 am

Hi Notsohandyman
I use a mixture of washing detergent and water sprayed onto both surfaces just after I use the silicon. I also use a used tube of silicon, bend the opening to the profile of the gap where the silicon has been used, spray the mixture of dishwashing liquid and water into the top of the used silicon tube run the profiled edge through your line of silicon and the excess silicon goes into the tube. Spray with water and detergent again and then run your finger lightly through the silicon to get the required effect you want. I do not end up with a large mess like I used to.
I do not use a rag to wipe the excess silicon from the tip I use paper but only wipe the tip 3 times and then use more paper.
I have found that the less silicon you use the better the job and I push the gun away from me.
I also use masking tape for butt joints and the same process as detailed above.
cheers
Keygs