Siliconate the plasterboard
To remedy any kind of imperfection or damage present in the sheet or in the plasterboard / drywall and plasterboard / masonry joints, it is possible to intervene using suitable products as well as tools to solve the problem.
Depending on the intervention, it is possible to use adhesives, stuccos (see more information on "Stuccoing the plasterboard") or sealants (to fill joints, fix cracks, breakages, cracks that may come out in the wall or in the furniture made with plasterboard).
The sealants certainly represent the range of more versatile products, both because they are suitable for many application surfaces, and because they are extremely easy to apply.
Depending on the use, there are various types of sealants: acetic sealants perfect for application on non-porous surfaces, such as glass, metal and ceramic, therefore, excellent for sealing sanitary fixtures, windows, aluminum window frames and floors in ceramic; Neutral sealants can be used on all surfaces, porous or smooth, but cannot be painted and finally acrylics that are also paintable.
Let's dwell on the latter and let's see what are the characteristics of these sealants and their fields of application.
Acrylic Sealants
Acrylic sealants are water based, so they maintain their performance unchanged on both indoor and outdoor applications. Suitable for porous materials, as described above, they can be painted and then, once the sealant has been applied and dried, it will be possible to make it uniform in color and brightness to the surface concerned.
There are several acrylic sealants on the market and to choose them it is necessary to analyze the surface to be sealed and to classify the joint.
How to apply sealants:
1. Whether you use the silicone tube or gun or a spatula directly, the sealant must be applied after a careful cleaning of the surface, removing dust and residues with a brush or, if necessary, using a knife or a professional cutter to remove residues of old silicone or putty.
Note: if necessary, before applying the sealant, moisten the surface with a cloth.
2. Define the area of intervention with specific adhesive tapes or paper tape.
3. All the sealant tubes are provided with a bird's beak cap which will be cut at about 45 ° with which the material will be dispensed by positioning the tip of the slit spout.
4. Carefully place the sealant inside the joint taking care not to let it come out of the bounded area.
5. Using a wet trowel, press and shave the sealant well, being careful to avoid air bubbles. The application must be uniform, trying to cover both sides of the joint.
Note: The product can also be applied with a finger, protected by a rubber glove slightly wet with water. In this way the excess product will be eliminated, obtaining a smooth surface without holes or air bubbles.
6. Wait for the product to dry, which times vary according to the surface and the outside temperature.
7. Finally, you can apply color with paints and varnishes suitable for the sealant in question.
Note: avoid smearing at this stage which could compromise all the work done.
Tools and materials:
• Silicone gun
• Spatula
• Brush
• Boxcutter
• Professional cutter
• cloth
•Rubber gloves
• File planer
•Ladder
•Water
• Silicone
• Paper tape
• Specific adhesive tape
How to remove the old silicone
1. Thoroughly clean the surface with a specific bath product and make sure that no fat remains at the end of the operation.
2. Cut the silicone with a professional cutter to check its consistency.
Note: if the cut material is rubbery it is silicone, in case the consistency is harder it will be a latex-based sealant.
3. Remove the silicone with a spatula or a scraper, cutting the upper and lower edges of the same so as to remove the strip with your hands.
Note: if the operation is particularly complicated, soften the silicone by wetting it with a little water (if necessary, put wet clothes on the surface leaving the same 2/3 days soaking, checking every now and then that the clothes are always soaked liquid) or heat it with a heat gun or use a little oily degreaser with water.
4. Remove residues in the joint with a professional cutter or spatula.
5. vacuum the cracks and joints, then apply denatured alcohol or an anti-mold product on the surface, in order to eliminate the mold that has formed under the old silicone.
Tools and materials:
• Professional cutter
• Professional spatula
• Scraper
• Heat gun
• cloth
•Rubber gloves
•Water
• Oven degreaser
• Denatured alcohol
• Specific anti-mold product