Here's to all you Silicone Rembrandts :)

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I just finished putting the baffles in the my sump, and I have to admit my silicone skills suck! Combine that with large hands and you have a recipe for UGLY! LOL

To all you out there with beautiful silicone work in your DIY sumps, my hat's off to you! There is definitely an element of art when working with viscous, hydrophobic , non-Newtonian fluids

 

[Spit.fire]

masking tape and spit... works like a charm

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Lol. I tried the masking tape. Didn't know about the spit and don't really understand how that could possibly help. Seemed like the masking tape caused more trouble than it was worth!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Well regardless, the darn baffles will NOT be going anywhere once the RTV cures!

 

[Spit.fire]

Lol. I tried the masking tape. Didn't know about the spit and don't really understand how that could possibly help. Seemed like the masking tape caused more trouble than it was worth!

spit on your finger lol, it stops the silicone from sticking to your fingers (water doesnt work as good)

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

lol! You HAVE to be kidding!!

 

[Spit.fire]

nope lol, best way to tool silicone

 

[Jizu Puentes]

Haha spit works but I use alcohol in a cup and tight latex gloves. Before each smoothing dip your finger in alcohol then smooth out the sealant and wipe the finger with a paper towel then repeat. Alcohol evaporates fast so you don't have to worry about water messing with the drying

 

[Rybren]

I use spit as well. Must be a Canadian thing

 

[Jizu Puentes]

Haha must be. I'm an aviation structural tech and we use alcohol to smooth out sealant on planes so I just took that method home lol

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I didn't realize alcohol wouldn't inhibit the silicone curing process. Learn something new everyday

 

[Zoanthkid]

Spit is the way to go with any silicone/caulking job lol. How I learned from my grandpa when I was a kid.

 

[Jizu Puentes]

I didn't realize alcohol wouldn't inhibit the silicone curing process. Learn something new everyday

If anything it may promote curing because of the high evaporation rate on the surface of the silicone.

 

[tonto95]

A teaspoon also will help on smoothing silicone out. Wipe spoon with paper towel and dip spoon in water after each cleaning with towel.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Good tips I wish I'd had yesterday! lol

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Well, I ended up redoing the sump baffles anyway. The alcohol tip works like a charm!! Thanks so much for that advice