How to apply silicone sealant DIY guide. Silicone caulk application for beginners. Pro silicone bead, by POUSE around the HOUSE on YouTube. 17 min 45 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 45 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Cut out old sealant with a Stanley knife, then wipe the joint with white spirit and a cloth. Wear gloves and cut away from your body.
Let the joint dry completely. Silicone will not stick to damp, dusty or greasy surfaces, so use a dry cloth and wait until the area is fully dry.
Load the silicone cartridge into the caulk gun. Cut the nozzle at a 45 degree angle to match the gap, then puncture the inner seal.
Start in a corner and hold the gun at a steady angle. Squeeze the trigger evenly as you move along the joint, keeping the nozzle tip in the bead.
Smooth the bead straight away with a silicone profiling tool. Work in one continuous pass and wipe the tool clean between sections.
Clean excess silicone from the tiles and bath edge with a wet wipe before it skins over. Remove any masking tape while the silicone is still wet.
Leave the bead to cure before getting it wet. Check the cartridge for the maker's cure time, which is often around 24 hours.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not smooth silicone with a dry finger. Keep the tool or finger wet and wipe off excess often.
Use masking tape along both edges for a crisp line, then peel it off before the silicone skins.
Work in a warm, dry room and keep draughts away while the bead cures.
Open a window and keep white spirit and silicone off your skin and eyes.
Questions
Can I apply silicone over old sealant?
No. Cut out old sealant first. New silicone will not bond properly to old, loose or dirty sealant.
How long before I can use the bath?
Check the cartridge. Many silicone sealants need about 24 hours before water contact, and longer for full cure.
What if the bead looks uneven?
Smooth it straight away with a profiling tool, wiping the tool clean between passes. Once it skins, leave it alone or cut it out and redo.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
