Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve

In article ,
writes:
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

A finger, and masking tape fitted closely either side of the groove.
I also use a disposable latex glove, wetted.
Remove the masking tape as soon as you've faced up the silicone,
before it sets.

--
Andrew Gabriel

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
writes:

Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?


A finger, and masking tape fitted closely either side of the groove.
I also use a disposable latex glove, wetted.
Remove the masking tape as soon as you've faced up the silicone,
before it sets.

mm, that's how I do it too but when the tape comes off there's always a
little step at the edge of the silicone and it's soooo difficult to
resist that final gentle finger wipe without the tape, just to get rid
of the step. Invariably it spoils the straight edge :-(

Dave

On 6-Aug-2005, Dave wrote:

but when the tape comes off there's always a
little step at the edge of the silicone and it's soooo difficult to
resist that final gentle finger wipe without the tape, just to get rid
of the step.

That's just what I find, that's why I want a tool. I also want something to
guide all that wasted stuff back into the bead.

Steve

Wrote:
On 6-Aug-2005, Dave wrote:
-
but when the tape comes off there's always a
little step at the edge of the silicone and it's soooo difficult to
resist that final gentle finger wipe without the tape, just to get
rid
of the step.-

That's just what I find, that's why I want a tool. I also want
something to
guide all that wasted stuff back into the bead.

Steve
Jointboy Set of 4 Joint Tools Item Number 516612 QVC Price £8.89 ... if
it's bin deleted try a 'karl dahm' silicone set from trade tiler (.com)
...


--
merlin1956

QUOTE=merlin1956], Hi try ... Jointboy Set of 4 Joint Tools Item Number
516612 QVC Price £8.89 ... if it's bin deleted try a 'karl dahm'
silicone set from trade tiler (.com)


--
merlin1956

On Sat, 06 Aug 2005 20:52:40 +0000, Dave wrote:

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
writes:

Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?


A finger, and masking tape fitted closely either side of the groove.
I also use a disposable latex glove, wetted.
Remove the masking tape as soon as you've faced up the silicone,
before it sets.

mm, that's how I do it too but when the tape comes off there's always a
little step at the edge of the silicone and it's soooo difficult to
resist that final gentle finger wipe without the tape, just to get rid
of the step. Invariably it spoils the straight edge :-(

You have of course filled the bath to pre-load downwards...
So with you finger totally juiced up with 50/50 liquid
soap/shampoo/detergent and water run quickly it with minimum pressure
over the joint this will smooth the silicone nicely.
Corners are difficult as are behind the taps.






--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Dave wrote:
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
writes:

Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on
silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?
A finger, and masking tape fitted closely either side of the
groove.
I also use a disposable latex glove, wetted.
Remove the masking tape as soon as you've faced up the silicone,
before it sets.


It's in the FAQ.

Part of the trick is to wet whatever you're using to form the bead with
a very strong solution of washing-up liquid, so the sealant doesn't
stick.

On the advice of a professional bathroom fitter, I always use a bare
finger rather than a glove or any kind of hand-held forming tool. If
it's thoroughly wetted with the soap solution, the sealant won't stick
and you have a much better feel for how the bead is forming.

Don't worry about excess sealant - just push it away onto the masking
tape. Using too much is far better than risking leaving a low spot.

mm, that's how I do it too but when the tape comes off there's always a
little step at the edge of the silicone and it's soooo difficult to
resist that final gentle finger wipe without the tape, just to get rid
of the step. Invariably it spoils the straight edge :-(

If you squeeze away the excess sealant, right down to the level of the
masking tape, then the tape will peel away leaving a very clean edge. If
you're using a bare finger, you can feel very clearly when you've got
down to the crinkled surface of the tape. (If you're using coloured
sealant, you should be able to see the a clear straight boundary between
the brown edge of the tape and the solid colour of the bead.)

Obviously you should pull off the tape *away* from the bead. If there is
a bit of lifting in places, that means you didn't quite manage to smooth
the sealant right down to the level of the edge of the tape. With a bare
finger it's actually very easy to touch down anywhere that the sealant
has lifted. DON'T touch the bead itself - just barely touch any sharp
points that are sticking upwards from the edge.

I haven't tried sellotape, but wonder if that might be a bit too thin?
The edges of the bead need a bit of strength to stand up to the future
years of cleaning.

FWIW, the bead around our bath was done using the soapy finger and
masking tape method, and 10 years on it's still looking good.



--
Ian White

In article ,
" says...
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Apply it properly in the first place and there will be very little
mess, and no need to go over it again to smooth it off.

On 6-Aug-2005, Rob Morley wrote:

Apply it properly in the first place and there will be very little
mess, and no need to go over it again to smooth it off.

How d'ya do that then Rob?

In article ,
" says...

On 6-Aug-2005, Rob Morley wrote:

Apply it properly in the first place and there will be very little
mess, and no need to go over it again to smooth it off.

How d'ya do that then Rob?

Cut the nozzle at the right width for the bead, at about 45 degrees.
Push the gun rather than pulling, and move the nozzle smoothly along
the joint maintaining firm pressure while feeding the sealant at just
the right rate that it fills the gap without bulging up behind the
nozzle or flowong around the sides. Be careful that the nozzle
doesn't get stuck on any irregularites such as slightly uneven tiles
or lumps of plaster/grout. If there are places where the gap is
deeper then fill these first so you're applying a fairly uniform
thickness all the way along the bead.

Don't know if it'll help but I always use cellotape!! a lot thiner than
masking so gives a neater edge..
Grumps


wrote in message
k...
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve

Use a bit of half-round beading as the tool but also spray a solution of
washing-up liquid onto the bead before tooling, and make sure you make the
bead and surrounding area wet. Yes, you will waste the excess silicon that
comes out the side but you will soon learn to be more accurate with the bead
to start with. (works for me!)

wrote in message
k...
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve

wrote:
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve

Steve

Try

Jointboy Set of 4 Joint Tools


Item Number 516612

QVC Price =A38.89

UK Postage & Packaging =A32.45
Save! Buy two or more & save on postage and packaging

Jointboy works without parting agents - there's no need to dampen in
the sealing compound with a detergent solution! You'll be able to
produce perfect seals on connecting joints and expansion joints without
masking or time-consuming follow-up work. It's resistant to acids and
friction and is extremely flexible. Comes with four special tools, a
joint tool with special angles and grooves, an extra-thin special tool,
a joint tool with a round cutting edge and a joint tool with a straight
cutting edge. Tools come in a small plastic case.

You can get these at www.qvcuk.com

Regards

Bill

wrote in message
k...
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at the
side and makes an almighty mess?


I have used the orange plasplugs "silicone spoons" - work fine for me. Go
over the bead handle first to form the corner, then go back blade first each
side to take off the visible lines.

Also, if you wait for it to be semi set, you can roll up the visible line
bits (like nowplough edge piles) with your finger. The 1 molecule thick bit
between the corner and the snowplough pile is not strong enough to take much
with it, so leaves an invisible edge.

Bob

wrote:

Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on
silicon sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes
out at the side and makes an almighty mess?

I use something like a plant marker. Like an overgrown lollypop stick
but made of plastic. The real trick to getting a decent finish is not
to put too much on in the first place, but most importantly get the
right sort of goo. If it smells like vinegar you're screwed. That stuff
is impossible to do anything with except seal water pipes. It's so
sticky it just goes everywhere and is a pig to clean up. Make sure you
get the stuff called 'Kitchen' sealant. This doesn't smell of anything
and is much more accommodating. When you draw the stick across the bead
it will leave two tram lines either side of the main seal. Keep cleaning
off the excess on the stick, and even dunk it in some water from time to
time. Then just leave it all to dry you'll find the two tram lines just
rub/pull off leaving you a nice clean seal.

Regards

Mark

Thank you for all the help. It looks as if I'll have to spend some time
practising all these methods "on an inconspicuous surface".

Steve

Wrote:
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on
silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at
the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve


Hi you need a foolproof silicone finishing tool , great results every
time...
Jointboy Set of 4 Joint Tools Item Number 516612 QVC Price £8.89 ... if
it's bin deleted a 'karl dahm' silicone set from trade tiler (.com) ...
is an alternative
Regards..Merlin1956


--
merlin1956

"merlin1956" m wrote in
message . com...

Wrote:
Does anyone know of a tool that will give a decent concave bead on
silicon
sealant whilst turning back in the stuff that usually squishes out at
the
side and makes an almighty mess?

Steve


Hi you need a foolproof silicone finishing tool , great results every
time...
Jointboy Set of 4 Joint Tools Item Number 516612 QVC Price £8.89 ... if
it's bin deleted a 'karl dahm' silicone set from trade tiler (.com) ...
is an alternative
Regards..Merlin1956

I wish we'd known about that before re-decorating (AKA re-constructing the
kitchen) :-(

But thanks, noted and will make a good Valentine's Day present for himself
:-)

Mary


--
merlin1956

Mary Fisher wrote:

I wish we'd known about that before re-decorating (AKA re-constructing the
kitchen) :-(

But thanks, noted and will make a good Valentine's Day present for himself
:-)

or

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...28167&ts=52927

or

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/search/3...ugi&ModPage=Go

(I have a set of these - they work very well when you get the hang of it)

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Mary Fisher wrote:

I wish we'd known about that before re-decorating (AKA re-constructing
the kitchen) :-(

But thanks, noted and will make a good Valentine's Day present for
himself :-)

or

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...28167&ts=52927

or

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/search/3...ugi&ModPage=Go

(I have a set of these - they work very well when you get the hang of it)

Thank you for that - noted and will probably be (surreptitiously) ordered.

He'll get the hang of it immediately, he's like that, the clever b*gg*r. I
shan't have to do anything but admire his skill and the results :-)

Mary

Mary Fisher wrote:

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/search/3...ugi&ModPage=Go

(I have a set of these - they work very well when you get the hang of it)


Thank you for that - noted and will probably be (surreptitiously) ordered.

If I were buying again I would go for a set that also includes a narrow
tool - There is noththing more irritating I find than getting a really
nice neat bead of sealant right up until you are behind the taps on a
basin and the tool no longer fits the space!

He'll get the hang of it immediately, he's like that, the clever b*gg*r. I
shan't have to do anything but admire his skill and the results :-)

There was a nice video on these tools someone posted a link to before -
the reality is not too far removed from the marketing:

http://media.plumbworld.co.uk/ramgen/fugi.rm

(needs real player)

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/