Why do you use silicone?

[rerod]

Hello everyone..

When I bought a leaky RV, I did some research on what people were suggesting to reseal. Overwhelmingly, people cursed silicone saying cured silicone was practically impossible to remove completely. And once it's cured, new silicone will not stick or seal to it.. Many window installers say the same.

I know this is a tile forum, but is this true?

Thanks.!

[Carbidetooth]

Yes, it's true. Silicone caulk is misused so much, it should be criminal.


Having spent some time in the RV biz, just what and where you're trying to seal will net better advice...even on a tile forum.

[Davy]

I'm guilty, lock me up. Hope you have a large jail, there are more.

So, between tile and a bath tub, what's best to use? Regular caulk?

With a little time, I can seemingly get all the old silicone removed with the help of a razor blade and Acetone. I have used denatured alcohol. Are you saying a residue remains that causes a poor bond for the next application?

[rerod]

Thanks Carbidetooth..

The RV is sold, but it took forever to remove the silicone. What I found helped was mineral spirits to swell it, and then your fingernail as not to scratch the finish. Then a big pencil eraser. After all the silicone was removed, which took forever and was painful, I used Geocel Proflex which is a tripolymer sealant I believe. Iv also had great luck with iso quad on the exterior of my house.

I pretty much knew I was never going to use silicone on anything again. But I wasn't sure what I was going to use on my shower project which will probably be marlite faux tile FRP with a good acrylic pan because Kohler's cast iron shower pans don't have a front apron off the curb. What a shame..

I think the only thing attractive about silicone caulk is the price.

[Carbidetooth]

OK Davy, we're coming for you!


Not saying it doesn't have its place in the construction world, but I'm sure you've seen in gobbed in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons, no?



Here's something I wonder about; I don't remember making myself Silicone Sealant Ranger. Did I somehow garner that title from the powers that be or am I getting senile?

[cx]

Well, you held yourownself out to be the unofficial Silicone Sealant Ranger in a post in the Advice forum a while back, Peter, so I suppose the powers that be just made it official.

You can, of course, remove that from your signature line any time you want, but I think it looks good on you.

[Kman]

What's so bad about using silicone? In large quantities, it works great!!!

[smifwal]

Originally Posted by KMAN

it works great!!!

at least they could have done was shape it and smooth it out. Hacks!!!

[Dave Taylor]

The pic of the "head" that the Kman posted above is soooo filthy that he didn't even pick up that penny from the floor.

[John Bridge]

I'm still an RVer, and I use silicone on the sides of the trailer, but never on the roof. Seems to hold up fairly well. That's the way they come from the factory.