Tips needed for applying the rubbery sealant in kitchen

chickmug

Just finishing the wall tile grouting and next step will be the sealant between the worktop and the wall tiles. Any tips on how to get a good result as it is so easy to bodge this stage up?

latecomer

I haven't had much success with silicon sealants but someone recently recommended a tool on screwfix. There are various tools to help but not the one I saw recommended. I'll try searching here to see if I can locate the post.

Edit: This was it:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/28167/Sealants-Adhesives/Sealant-Applicators/Fugenboy-Kit-1-BMFG1

chickmug

latecomer wrote: »

I haven't had much success with silicon sealants but someone recently recommended a tool on screwfix. There are various tools to help but not the one I saw recommended. I'll try searching here to see if I can locate the post.

Edit: This was it:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/28167/Sealants-Adhesives/Sealant-Applicators/Fugenboy-Kit-1-BMFG1

Thanks for searching this out.

sooz

Use masking tape on both the worktop & the walls.
apply the silicone along the line, then smooth it down with a tool (as above), back of a spoon or wet finger, in one straight movement. Do not stop, or try to go back & re-smooth it.
clean fingers or tool with babywipes
remove masking tape before the silicone sets - peel carefully so the tape doesn't touch the still wet sealant.

joncarpet

like sooz said, masking tape the wall and worktop, leaving the gap that you want.
put the sealant in the gap
put a dash of washing up liquid in some water, wet your finger with it and run your finger down the gap, not stoping.

latecomer

Does the silicon not come up with the masking tape or do you let it start to go off first?

chickmug

latecomer wrote: »

Does the silicon not come up with the masking tape or do you let it start to go off first?

I have now been sealing and used the 'masking tape' method top and bottom to leave the gap for the sealant. I did a small test run and found that if I pulled off the masking tape immediately after sealing applied it came away cleanly and so now have perfect (well almost perfect) sealed joints:beer:

latecomer

Thanks for letting us know how you got on

chickmug

latecomer wrote: »

Thanks for letting us know how you got on

You are welcome. I had not wall tiled for avery long time so was very nervous about cocking up. Thank goodness for these forums as it has been of great help at differing stages on a refurbishment.

markie1980

Sounds like you're sorted now but after years of doing beads of silicone, without doubt the best tool you can use is your middle finger, the best thing to wet your finger with is saliva (preferably your own) and the best thing to wipe your finger on is the top left of your jumper/t-shirt, starting just below the collar bone and working down about 6" or failing that you can use your right thigh.

That's how us professionals do it!

chickmug

markie1980 wrote: »

Sounds like you're sorted now but after years of doing beads of silicone, without doubt the best tool you can use is your middle finger, the best thing to wet your finger with is saliva (preferably your own) and the best thing to wipe your finger on is the top left of your jumper/t-shirt, starting just below the collar bone and working down about 6" or failing that you can use your right thigh.

That's how us professionals do it!

I have so may stains on my DIY clothes they look like a piece of modern art. Any bids anyone?