Using Silicon profiles behind taps

[cornish_crofter]

Saltire has the best idea.

TBH the problem was two fold.

1) I had trouble running the bead there in the first place. I had to start the nozzel from both sides of each tap. I think I may have been trying to apply too much. Maybe cutting the nozzel a bit narrower to begin with would have helped.

2) Once I had a contnuous bead (made up of short runs) I then had trouble with smoothing it over.

The other problem I'm having is internal corners where three runs meet. I can do the first run without any problems, then I have trouble with the other two. I tend to disturb the first run when I do the next two.

I think there is something basically lacking with my whole method here.

....and I never could get it right with the finger either.

 

[Alan.P]

One thing I will say, I go for the cheapo plastic guns from B&Q £3 - £4, the advantage you get over traditional metal guns is that when you stop running a bead, nozzle in place, the Silicon stops, so you can pause mid run, not like the metal ones where you have to try and lift the nozzle, stop the flow and then some.

2cents

 

[cornish_crofter]

Are there any general idoits guide here about applying Silicon that people have read?

I manage to do OK about 80% of the time then struggle for 20% and it's really fustrating!

 

[Alan.P]

I have seen some / posted in them, I'll look for a link, as arule of thumb though, for best effects and looks, a small ( 2 - 3mm ) bead is all thats needed, as long as you fill the void between tile and surface / tile to tile, then the lightest of touches with a wet finger.

Works for me

EDIT: link to a thread here

 

[brian c]

sent you a pm Hugo.

 

[P'boro tiler]

i used to leave my movement joints far too wide and struggled all the time. if i keep them to 2mm then its much easier
but i do struggle at 3way corners though and dont seem to be improving

 

[user123]

For awkward spaces I use the white plastic gardening plant markers - come in bags of 50 for about 70p, have a finger width, but flat round end and a rounded pointed end, spray with diluted washing up liquid solution (3:1), can reach into really narrow spaces and make smooth spreaders. Easy to clean and reusable for ages. Strong but still a little flexible. Otherwise I use the same plastic finger as Oli's pic. But always spray tool and surrounding wall with washing up liquid AFTER applying the bulk of the Silicon, then shape and tidy up - makes it all dead easy...

 

[Saltire69]

For the corner joints, if your using lolly stick just don't spray to close to the corners. Smooth the bead then do the same with corners 2 and 3. When getting close to the corners just take a bit off pressure of and blend the corner. If you haven't wetted than area you can re-apply a blob of Silicon till your happy with it. Hope that makes sense.