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If you are a DIY enthusiast and have applied a silicone joint, you will need to smooth it afterwards. Even inexperienced DIYers can do this with the right tools.
Smoothing silicone joints: What you need
There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your silicone joint is smooth and even.
- To ensure that you can smooth your silicone joint properly, you should pay attention to quality when purchasing silicone. High-quality products are easier to work with.
- Another criterion for a smooth silicone joint is the expiration date. Very old silicone comes out of the cartridge brittle and is difficult to smooth properly.
- Craftsmen smooth silicone with their fingers. However, this requires a lot of practice. It is easier with a joint smoother. With these simple plastic scrapers, you can smooth joints of different widths and sizes.
- Tip: If you don’t have a joint smoother to hand, you can also use a wooden stick, such as those used for ice lollies.
- Since silicone adheres quickly, you cannot work with the material using a dry joint smoother. You will need water with a little washing-up liquid. You can mix this in a small bowl and place it next to you while you work.
- To wipe off any silicone residue, have some kitchen paper ready.
How to smooth the joints properly
To achieve a good result, it is important to apply the silicone joint correctly.
- Once the silicone joint has been applied, you need to work quickly. You have about three to five minutes to smooth the silicone. After that, the material will have hardened too much.
- It is often recommended to spray lubricant onto the silicone joint. We do not recommend this. When spraying, there is a risk that the water-detergent mixture will run behind the silicone. Once the joint has been smoothed, this moisture can no longer escape. This would promote mold growth.
- Dip the joint smoother into the water and dish soap mixture. Then place it at the beginning of the silicone joint.
- Quickly pull the tool over the joint. This will smooth the silicone and remove any excess material.
- Work in sections when smoothing. Keep removing the excess silicone from the tool with kitchen paper.
- Dip the joint smoother into the water and dish soap mixture every now and then.
- Continue until the entire silicone joint is smoothed. Before the silicone hardens, remove the masking tape if you used it to tape off the joint before smoothing.
