Disguising/Painting black mouls marks on silicone shower sealant.

Avoriaz

Hi, our shower cubicle was installed in a new build house about 7 years ago. We bought the house last year.

The horizontal sealant between the tiled wall and the shower tray is in physically good condition but there are some black mould marks. It has all been thoroughly cleaned and bleached with proprietary mould remover etc but some black marks stubbornly remain in the corners.

Is it possible to paint the black marks with a waterproof white paint to disguise them. I don't particularly want to remove the sealant and redo it as it is mostly ok.

What would be the best paint to use? Is there anything that will adhere to silicone and be water resistant?

What about one of those stick pens that are supposed to revive discoloured grout? Presumably they are water resistant.

Thanks

WestonDave

I've never tried the grout pens on it - I think they tend to set quite hard and powdery which is fine on grout but if the silicone flexes it will come straight off.

One trick which might be worth a try (in addition to covering it) is putting a layer of toilet roll over the mould marks, then pouring some thick strong bleach on it (I use that grotbuster stuff when its on special offer) and leaving that overnight. The toilet roll keeps the bleach on the silicone rather than it sliding off so it gets a good long treatment. It doesn't always completely remove it but usually at least lightens it.

cyclonebri1

You can't paint on silicone, just remove the stuff and replace.
Make sure you use a mould resistant silicone and above all address the reason for mould in the 1st instance;);)

loracan1

Avoriaz wrote: »

What about one of those stick pens that are supposed to revive discoloured grout? Presumably they are water resistant.

Thanks

I've used one of those - it worked, but needed doing again six months later, which in the scheme of things isn't really a problem.

nickj_2

if you do decide to replace the sealant try CT1 instead of silicone sealant , it's miles superior and "Once applied it is virtually impossible to get moulding. This is because of the tight molecular structure of the product that wont allow bacteria to penetrate the CT1."

http://www.sealantstore.co.uk/ct1

Avoriaz

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

You can't paint on silicone, just remove the stuff and replace.
Make sure you use a mould resistant silicone and above all address the reason for mould in the 1st instance;)

The mould was there when we bought the house last year. Most shower cubicles that I have seen develop some mould over time, especially on the wall/shower tray silicone seal. The vertical silicone sealant is still mould free.

I think it is very difficult to avoid some mould growth in a shower cubicle unless you thoroughly dry the shower walls, silicone and tray after every use. We squeegee the walls and tray after every shower but inevitably some water remains. We open the window and/or leave the extractor fan on for a while to reduce the humidity in the room.

Avoriaz

loracan1 wrote: »

I've used one of those - it worked, but needed doing again six months later, which in the scheme of things isn't really a problem.

Five minutes every few months is probably preferable to hours stripping and replacing the silicone.

I know I will have to replace it eventually but there are only a few patches of black and I think it is easier just to disguise those.

Rovver125

Try HG mould spray!

We used it on our bathroom after a leaking plug under the bath caused horrendous mould problems. My partner had already tried standard bleach several times with little success and we stumbled across this stuff on special offer whilst out shopping.

Spray it on, leave to soak in for a bit and then wipe away. I had bought a tube of sillicone assuming it would be the only option to get rid of the mould, but this stuff brought the grout and sillicone up gleaming white and like new, with minimum effort!

It also worked a treat on our spare bedroom wall, where we have had continuous problems with mould growing in the corner. Used HG on the wall about two months ago now and there's been no sign of the mould coming back since!

Only word of caution if you use it is make sure you ventilate the room well, it's hellishly strong!!

Avoriaz

Rovver125 wrote: »

Try HG mould spray! ..

I will.

I used that stuff in our previous house and it is very good. :beer:

I will buy some before I resort to painting the sealant.

phill99

Don't repaint the sea pant. It'll look like a dogs dinner. There is only one way to do a job and that is do it properly. Get some one on to re mastic it.

cyclonebri1

nickj wrote: »

if you do decide to replace the sealant try CT1 instead of silicone sealant , it's miles superior and "Once applied it is virtually impossible to get moulding. This is because of the tight molecular structure of the product that wont allow bacteria to penetrate the CT1."

http://www.sealantstore.co.uk/ct1

Alarm bells ringing here:eek::eek::eek:

CT1 is a fantastic product, you could glue "Dave" to "Borris" with it, but that's the issue, it is essentially an adhesive.
Best product for sealing under a sink or hob etc and the best adhesive for stuff underwater.

But, it is horrendous stuff to try to smooth as you have to do around a bath, any where you don't want it and it's out with the solvent, which you don't want around the acrylic bath.

It is trully the messiest stuff available, wouldn't be without it, but wouldn't dream of trying to seal a bath with it.:A