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Silicone sealing

This is a great video on sealing joints with silicone.

Removing the old silicone can be done with specialized scrapers, cutter knife, scalpel etc. The area is then cleaned with spirits or acetone and left to dry.

The very clean profile of a silicone seal may suggest masking tape was involved, but tape is discouraged. When removed, the tape will produce a floating lip in the silicone. Instead, use silicone profiling tools (not a finger dipped in soapy water).

Types of silicone

• by curing time: regular (24hr) or express (1hr), eg. Ceresit CS 15 Express.
• by application: sanitary (wet environment, mold-resistant), fire-resistant, etc.
• acetic or neutral, the latter may be necessary to avoid staining stainless steel fixtures, natural stone, etc.
• big box stores usually stock in white, transparent, maybe some colors. Mapei’s Mapesil AC range (and, to a lesser extent, the Mapesil LM range) is color-coordinated with their grouts, available at specialist stores.