Turns out I'm not very good at silicone sealant application!

[lucysmam]

It's not messy messy...but could definitely be better 🙄. And there's a bit on the worktop where I ran my finger along it <sigh>.

Thought to google just now to see if there's a better way & it says use masking tape 🙈.

I symathize I have loads of sealing that needs doing. I keep putting off learning how to do it properly🤦🏼‍♀️

There is a bloke on the local FB group who charges to apply silicone seal in bathrooms and kitchens. It is surprisingly popular, judging by the number of people responding; to the point where I thought it might be sexy slang for a hook up.

https://www.toolstation.com/cramer-profiling-tool-set/p46602

You need one of these.

@ForbiddenPearyou can get these one third this price on TEMU

Yes, definitely use masking tape, it makes it much easier.

Another good thing to do is to have a trial run.

Put some wide masking tape where you will eventually apply the sealant and then use a different colour masking tape for where the edges will be. Then apply the sealant carefully using a tool or your finger and remove the masking tape on the edges and admire/criticise your work.

Then remove the remaining masking tape and sealant and re-do with just the masking tape for the edges.

It probably seems like a faff but just having one practice go will improve your technique hugely.

Obviously if after the trial run it looks terrible go on Facebook and find a professional.

I assumed I'd be a dab hand at this as I'm generally 'good with my hands'.
Nope.
It looks terrible.

Good god. Your post just reminded me of the horrors at my attempts at this during lockdown. Online videos made it looks so easy. 3 tubes of sealant later, I managed to do a good job, but only after coating everything including my feet in it. Kept scraping off random spills weeks later.

My handyman said “I have never seen anything like that in my life “ when he saw my attempts at sealing my bath. 🤣

Dh licks his thumb and smooths it out, then wipes it on his trousers 🤣

maybe try that - he does a great neat job

says not to put too much on

Trouble with Temu is that you can't just walk into a Temu shop and pick one up 😜

Out of curiosity, have you had much success with anything from Temu? I haven't ever seen anything of any quality (read everything has been not fit for purpose) come from Temu. I find it hard to believe that they could screw up a shaped piece of rubber though.

I’m about to embark on some shower sealing myself once I’ve finished getting the old sealant out. A tip I was given is to use a lolly stick if you don’t have the correct tool. And definitely masking tape. Make sure you remove the masking tape before the sealant sets as otherwise you might end up peeling off your beautiful neat sealant with it.

Finger in washing up liquid and then run over the top.

It's actually not dreadful but does creep over the worktop (kitchen) more than I'd like it to and has sunk significantly in a couple of places compared to the rest. Not sure how to deal with the first...thinking filling the gaps might work for the second...probably wrong on both counts!

Thanks to your DH @AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds! I shall try licking my thumb & wiping the excess on my trousers when I do the other side - maybe that's the trick 🤔.

Weirdly, I'm quite good at caulking 🤷‍♀️🤣.

Actually...thinking about it (overthinking it maybe!) thumb is maybe better than finger for the task at hand! Perhaps not with the wipe on trousers bit though.

Perhaps it’s too late but a paint shield might help.

Hahahaha 😂

Part of my job involves precision application of silicone to electrical components, we use fine tips and have compressed air via foot pump to activate the dispenser, I absolutely love doing it and I’m very neat but I would struggle with the huge dispensers you have to use, it looks like a very tricky job.

@HappiestSleeping everything from there is sub-par they probably snap as soon as they meet the slightest resistance.

anyone resealing your bath, don’t forget to fill it with water first.

@MancFem I'm so glad we don't have a bath, just a wet room 🤣.