Silicone Won't Cure - Why?

[Kittiee Katt]

My hubbys been waiting for almost five days for the silicone on a 170ltr tank to dry, didn't take this long for the seams to dry and I can't work out why the top bits are taking this long.. Could it be the temperature or humidity? Its been a little chilly the last few days (max 22°c) and the humidity has been above 50% all week as well..

Should I try putting a little heater on in the room its in to help warm it up ?

Should we just be patient and wait? As it is we have to wait for a week after the silicones dried before we can fill it and I'm tired of waiting..

Is there anything else we can do to hurry it along?

The silicone we're using for this bit (the bit in question is little corner bits for the lid to sit on) is the same as we used for the rest of it but this bit is taking its sweet time to dry.

Anything we can do to speed it up would be great, and if you need anything explained in more detail, just ask and I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Actually higher humidity quickens cure times in silicone. People will actually mist silicone caulk to speed curing

 

[Kittiee Katt]

Actually higher humidity quickens cure times in silicone. People will actually mist silicone caulk to speed curing

I didn't know this. Thank you. Do you have any idea why it's taking so long? The seams only took 24-48hrs to dry but the lid pieces are taking forever.

 

[Wailua Boy]

That is odd. Maybe the drop in temperature. I've heard the residue from duct tape will prevent curing of silicone. Also latex will prevent curing

 

[Kittiee Katt]

That is odd. Maybe the drop in temperature. I've heard the residue from duct tape will prevent curing of silicone

The temperature didn't drop, it's just been cold, we're just coming into spring here.

He didn't use tape for the lid bits (much to my disapproval) so it can't be that..

Should I put a little heater on in the room with it? Would warming up the room help it dry quicker? I don't want to put the heater on and waste power if its not going to help anything..

Thanks for your replies, now I know I'm not going loopy and it is actually taking forever..

 

[Wailua Boy]

I would probably run a fan instead

 

[Wailua Boy]

wednesday13 seems pretty knowledgeable about this sort of thing

 

[Kittiee Katt]

wednesday13 seems pretty knowledgeable about this sort of thing

Hopefully he can chime in.

The heater has a fan function, but idk if I can use that without the heater bit being on, and the cats broke our fan in January..

I'll give it a try, if it can't be used as just the fan could I try the lowest heat setting?

 

[Wailua Boy]

Hair dryer?

 

[Kittiee Katt]

Hair dryer?

I think I'm the only woman on the planet who doesn't own one of these..

I can ask a mate to borrow hers though.

Thanks for your help.