I feel for you Raz, I am hopeless when it comes to applying and smoothing mastic. I used a bloke for both our bathrooms and kitchen and it cost me a small fortune, he charged by the meter.
Razil, a cup of 50/50 diluted fairy liquid and a teaspoon for doing around the bath/worktops, the detergent keeps from sticking until your happy with the finish.
i saw something that suggested masking tape to get a nice line, its onto black tiles from the bath you see.
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Yep. My chosen method plus using the water/washing up liquid mix and my finger. Keep your finger as clean as you can in between each run though before wetting it. Found that the tools they sell you, spoons, dowel, etc just a bit fiddly for me.
As above Also if I were you, buy a finnishing tool kit. they are sold in screw fix, less than a tenner. They contain different size rads, makes a neat job
Fill the bath with water so it is as heavy as possible before you apply the mastic, the theory is after the mastic has dried and you pull the plug the bath will rise as it gets lighter thus causing the mastic to compress.
If you apply the mastic to an empty bath you run the risk of it stretching and splitting when you fill the bath because plastic baths can move a little when filled.
You can get a water based sealant from Screwfix, think it's called Evo Stick Smart Stuff or something like that. It works well and is easier to clean up if you make a mistake as you can wipe it with a damp cloth/sponge until it cures. You can also neaten the edges up with a damp kitchen sponge.
This is the stuff. I've used it before and it worked well for me but it wasn't around a bath. Mixed reviews on the Screwfix website - seems you either love it or hate it.
I'm no DIY expert but I've done a little bit of mastic work. My advice is don't be tentative. I don't mean squeeze the gun as hard as you can and run it along the gap quickly but if you go in like you're expecting to screw it up, you will. Go in cofidently and try to keep a nice steady pace and even prssure on the gun, you want to just see a little 'bow wave' of sealent moving along in front of the nozzle.
i Know a company that were kicked off a site because one of their guys was seen licking his finger before smoothing silicon.
If you do it for a living it is bad practice but in your own home round a bath or sink a wetted finger will do, the finger in the mouth is optional. Or a bit of 6mm dowel will do the job if you dont want to get your fingers mucky .
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Jeez this must be boring thread for non diyers :-D
Also if I were you, buy a finnishing tool kit. they are sold in screw fix, less than a tenner. They contain different size rads, makes a neat job
If you apply the mastic to an empty bath you run the risk of it stretching and splitting when you fill the bath because plastic baths can move a little when filled.
http://www.dolphinsealants.co.uk/shop/fugi-kit-3.html
Or you could lick your finger and run it round the silicon bead, Ive done that plenty of times in the past.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/evo-stik-shower-bath-kitchen-sealant-white-310ml/44138
This is the stuff. I've used it before and it worked well for me but it wasn't around a bath. Mixed reviews on the Screwfix website - seems you either love it or hate it.
I'm no DIY expert but I've done a little bit of mastic work. My advice is don't be tentative. I don't mean squeeze the gun as hard as you can and run it along the gap quickly but if you go in like you're expecting to screw it up, you will. Go in cofidently and try to keep a nice steady pace and even prssure on the gun, you want to just see a little 'bow wave' of sealent moving along in front of the nozzle.