sylicon sealer problem (bathroom)

silkyuk9

I wanted to replace the sealer around the bath as the old sealer was starting to black up so I scraped it all out around the bath and on the tiles. I cleaned all the area around the bath and tiles and made sure there was no moisture or bits of dirt etc. I bought a canister of Unibond sealer the one thats in an aerosol can for easy applying. I put masking tape all around the bottom of the tiles and around the bath leaving what i wanted to fill, basically the connection between the bath and tiles and maybe a few millimetres around the tiles and bath. So I squirted the sealer all around and wet my finger to smooth it. Then removed the masking tape. I looked pretty nice and was impressed.

Now, a few days later the sealer has lifeted from the bath but still tight on the tiles. Why hasnt the sealer stuck to the bath. The bath is made from fibraglass I would imagine.

I am going to have to remove it all and start again. The Unibond stuff cost me £10 so I dont want to do it all again and waste another tenner.

Any tips please or to why this lifted from the bath and not the tiles.

The bath wasnt used for a night while it set so im saying wetness is not the issue.

Also which is the best sealer to use?

jblack_2

You need to fill the bath with water before you do the sealing. The weight of the water and a person will move the bath (especially if it's a fibreglass bath).

Make sure you clean the surfaces with white spirit etc. It might look clean but will have soap residue etc left on there.

Get a sealant from a plumbers merchants rather than the likes of B&Q. It's better stuff and usually cheaper too. Dow Corning is my preference.

jc808

get a sealant gun too

vax2002

Fill the bath, buy some real silicone sealant with a gun, stand it in warm water half an hour before use will make it easier to apply and faster to set.

phill99

Before you apply silicon you need to clean it down with METHYLATED SPIRITS, not white spirit. White spirit is an oil based product which leaves a residue on the surface and recuces adhesion. Meths doesn't do this.

And fill the bath up with water before you apply the silicon.

Meepster

+1 for what jblack says

(nothing else to add really)

Meepster

phill99 wrote: »

Before you apply silicon you need to clean it down with METHYLATED SPIRITS, not white spirit. White spirit is an oil based product which leaves a residue on the surface and recuces adhesion. Meths doesn't do this.

And fill the bath up with water before you apply the silicon.

Just to add:

Meths will get you drunk, white spirit wont...

silkyuk9

never thought about filling the bath to be honest makes sense though