Smoothing out silicone ?

[Drunken]

I`m about to reseal a 55g tank, but what do people use to smooth out the silicone after you have layed down a good bead ?
Normally i would use some soapy water and a finger if it was non fish related.
Cheers :)

[Knowdafish]

Wet, plastic gloved, finger or a disposable plastic putty knife with the corner of the blade cut off to the width you want your bead.

[bengalsfan47025]

cut and angle a old credit card!! works for me everytime!!!

[JK47]

I`m about to reseal a 55g tank, but what do people use to smooth out the silicone after you have layed down a good bead ?
Normally i would use some soapy water and a finger if it was non fish related.
Cheers :)

Here is a picture of what I used. Cut out the corner of an old spatula from the wifes kitchen and cut the corner down. It's flexible so it made the application really easy to work with.

[rickyricardo]

Here is a picture of what I used. Cut out the corner of an old spatula from the wifes kitchen and cut the corner down. It's flexible so it made the application really easy to work with.
I like that.
The flat edges allows you to drag it evenly along the tank. Wish I would have seen this a couple weeks ago. Good idea.:thumbsup:

[jjdsplace]

the best way to smooth silicone is saliva on your finger there is nothing on the planet better than this just make sure you wipe off your finger before putting it back in your month as silicaone tastes awful

[chesterthehero]

i had good luck with paper towels.. just need to use a new one for each pass

[pdbrady]

As said, nothing like one of your digits. It can get a bit messy, but if that bothers you, you shouldn't be doing it anyway! :D

[deeda]

It is also extremely helpful if you apply masking tape above & below the area you want to caulk. Then apply the silicone, use one of the suggestions above to 'tool' the bead and immediately remove the tape. This gives a beautiful caulk bead but you have to remove the tape before the caulk sets up. I've used this when I caulk bathtubs & sinks. Looks very professional.

[rallysman]

Here is a picture of what I used. Cut out the corner of an old spatula from the wifes kitchen and cut the corner down. It's flexible so it made the application really easy to work with.

I did the same thing with tape, only put it a bit closer to the corner. Then I just used my finger. No air bubbles at all.

[JK47]

I did the same thing with tape, only put it a bit closer to the corner. Then I just used my finger. No air bubbles at all.

Yeah I know it's pretty wide. I did that intentionally though. This tank is a mostly sand setup for mudskippers. I didn't want anything other than a smooth wide suface they could not have the chance to climb on. Totally agree with you on the width, a full water set up should be much thinner.

I like the fact that this approach lets the flat side of the thing keep you against the glass. You can't go off track because it keeps you straight and you can use allot more pressure. Rinse it off, put it in the toolbox and keep it for the next tank. Once you reseal your first one, you don't go back...:headbang2

[canucksfan1]

yeah any time we silicone anything on a roof its smoothed with your finger and a little bit of spit, works excellant, and never sticks to your fingers

[Drunken]

Got it sorted, not the best looking job I`ve done, but the tank has metal trim around the edges so you can`t see the silicone bead :P

Thanks All

[viking252200]

Yes, spit is excellent for that purpose.
Another way is to use plain water with one or two drops of dish detergent.
This works beautiful as well.

[chesterthehero]

READ FIRST THEN CLICK LINKS
IT COULD BE A SCAM COMPANY
ITS JUST AN INTERESTING PRODUCT

i saw this on tv this morning https://www.buyprocaulk.com/

an hour or two later id forgotten what it was called but started googling...

i found this as well http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/pro_seal_complaints

youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaWtn4KJW5I)

looks like a cool product that MIGHT work... but it also looks like its a scam company..

dont blame me if you decide to order it and you get riped off.. im just posting this cuz it looks like a good idea... maybe it will inspire someone to make one and not have it be a scam or something

[beex215]

just glide your finger across the beads

[Dracor]

Man, did we forget one of the most valuable tools on the plannet. PLASTIC SPOON! To keep the silicone from sticking to it just use a tad bit of cooking oil on it. Works great!

[Muske]

Plastic spoons work great, a tool made from rigid plastic. But for me , the best, spit on a finger.

[gomezladdams]

I wear a cheap rubber glove from the paint dept.The spatula is a great idea though,Ill try that next time.

[Dracor]

If I didn't know what you guys were talking about to begin with and started reading this forum, well let's just say "Dang my gutter thinkin' mind!"