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How to Apply Silicone - the COMPLETE Pro Guide

Charlie DIYte (CharlieDIYte)

5,211,240 views

As the title suggests, this video contains literally everything you need to know to take you from a beginner to a professional siliconer!

You can become a Charlie DIYte Patron here Patreon: charlieDIYte for exclusive behind the scenes content and access to my Discord chat forum.

0:00 Start
0:02 Intro
0:43 Today's Toolkit
1:22 What NOT to Do
8:25 12 Golden Rules of Siliconing
17:50 Siliconing my Shower

You can now access my 🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store here https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/charlie... - where you'll find all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools arranged into handy categories.

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I talk you through the 7 things that you should NOT DO when applying silicone, followed by my 12 GOLDEN RULES for achieving perfect silicone joints - applying these rules at the end of the video to new silicone joints in the tricky, hand glazed tiles in my bathroom shower area.

Today's Tool Kit
Cramer Profiling Kit 7 https://geni.us/s8fpaIH (Amazon)
Cramer Profiling Kit 7 replacement blades https://geni.us/RV74 (Amazon)
Cramer rotating silicone nozzle https://geni.us/uO5FA (Amazon)

Heavy Duty Silicone applicator gun (buy a good one as the cheap ones tend to break)
https://geni.us/VPEM (Amazon)

Clear Silicone
https://geni.us/459Cr6 (Amazon)

Mapesil AC Silicone
https://geni.us/xK8WP (Amazon)

Everbuild Sealant Strip Out Tool
https://geni.us/RHgDzu (Amazon)

Bahco Knife
https://geni.us/wdSPqM (Amazon)

Stanley Scraper
https://app.we.shop/dGU5 (see WeShop instructions above - you'll love it!)

Silicone Remover
https://geni.us/AaSn1al (Amazon) or for a cheaper alternative https://geni.us/kAhQ (Amazon)

The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do.

And here's the legal bit I have to state: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

MY 12 GOLDEN RULES FOR THE PERFECT SILICONE JOINT
De-grease joints first with methylated spirit or acetone
Use the right silicone for your joint - high or low modulus
Use a FUGI Silicone Profiling Tool
Look for the greatest gap & select smallest tool to cover gap + 2/3mm
Cut the silicone nozzle at 90 degrees ie straight across &
Push the silicone into the joint
Aim to cover 2 not 3 sides of the joint
Use adapter for smooth lines over transverse joints
Work in short sections
Corners - up first then right to left
Clean Fugi with paper towel when finished

WHAT NOT TO DO
Don't use tape
Don't use your finger
Don't shape silicone in a concave profile
Don't use water & detergent
Don't cut the nozzle really small or at 45 degrees
Don't pull the nozzle along the joint
Try not to cover all 3 sides of the joint

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Charlie DIYte
-- Email: charliediyte@gmail.com
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-- https://charliediyte.co.uk/
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20 Comments

@CharlieDIYte Creator 6 years ago (edited) Pinned

🛠Charlie DIYte Amazon Tool Store https://amzn.to/3fcLnY4 - all my tried, tested and much loved DIY tools. Help support me on Patreon -https://www.patreon.com/charlieDIYte (includes Discord access).

@HooxNZ 5 years ago

The Gordon Ramsey of silicon application.

@coltutley 2 years ago

As a professional builder for over years, This is one of the best explanation videos I have ever seen on the subject. Thank you so much for the time you have put into this and thank you so much for the quality content, you rock!

@michael.schuler 3 years ago

One of the most crystal clear presentations I've ever seen on any topic on YT. The first seven minutes, explicating in meticulous detail how NOT to apply silicone, is invaluable. (I have for years followed as standard practice almost every single one of these DONT's.) I am a professional finish carpenter, with a keen interest of late in improving my caulking game. This video delivered more useful content, accompanied by an incredible degree of logical explanation of underlying principles, than I could have imagined exists. Thank you!

@grumpybob 11 months ago (edited)

Without doubt, even 8 years on, the single BEST video on YouTube re. silicone sealing. Charlie is 100% correct in ALL the advice he gives here – from buying/using the Fugi/Cramer profiling tools (a bit more expensive than most but great quality AND including, most importantly, the adapter for “transverse joints” (i.e. the grouted dips where two tiles meet) – to the seemingly simple idea of cutting the nozzle at a 90-degree angle and slightly bigger than the gap you wish to fill (even these seemingly small details are VITALLY important because you must, on the first go, ensure that you get a suitable amount of sealant on/into the area to be jointed in order to get a good result). And, needless to say, dismissing all the BS about using tape, soapy water, your finger as a “profiling tool" etc.

Just one more thing: Fugi/Cramer should be paying Charlie commission! Their product is great but goodness knows how many hundreds – or even thousands – of their kits have been bought on the basis of Charlie’s recommendation, here.

Great work, Charlie. Thank you very much for this video.

@lornarichardson676 1 year ago

I'm a 72 year old woman who appreciated your excellent instructions. I only have the bottom of 3 small windows to do and was going to do all your " don'ts". Your advice was invaluable. Thank you.

@s.o.3753 6 years ago (edited)

As a girl who has never DIY'ed anything in her life, let me say, this video was amazing. As someone else said, who knew a 20-minute video on silicone could be interesting! You really do make it interesting and easy to understand, though. I now feel ready to redo my landlord's awful silicone job. Many thanks, sir!

@stuartgc8950 4 years ago

I am not a diy person, have never siliconed anything in my life, followed this video to the letter and am very pleased with the outcome, many thanks.

@bandytoaster16 3 years ago

Have never used silicone in my life, my boyfriend attempted to silicone our bathroom a few months ago and did an awful job, so thought I’d do my research and show him I can do a better job! 😂 this video was amazing, I was about to just go for it and use my finger to smooth it out but quickly learnt from this vid, that this isn’t the way. My boyfriend came home and didn’t believe I’d done such a good job, so thank you so much 😁

@barbaramcq5180 5 years ago

I have just done the nearest thing to a perfect seal that I've ever done in my life. Why did I not find this guide and this tool 40 years ago? Absolutely brilliant!

@johnavi 5 years ago

This honestly makes sense. I always thought the detergent spray method would ruin the caulk that was just applied. Thanks for the lesson.

@ComicBookMalc 5 years ago

Holy cow this is a game changer! I've just done the bathroom in about an hour with no swearing or covering myself/the room/kids/dog/wife in sealer. Thank you

@renealvarezyt 2 weeks ago

I have watched dozens of videos in preparation to fixing my shower. This is by far the best. Thensks!

@xuscbs 8 years ago

If I had a company, I'd hire you as the VP of Quality! I love the attention to detail and the power of keen observation! Thank you for taking the time to educate all of us.

@johndoe4532 6 years ago (edited)

14 years I've been a Floor Layer and I've always hated siliconing. I came across your channel when trying to find the right drill and this came up in my suggested yesterday. I tried this technique today and its so much easier with such a professional finish. For any tradesmen reading, you get a lot of waste as Charlie shows but you just need to add the cost onto the job. Nothing worse than a decent looking vinyl or luxury vinyl tile job and poor sealant finish. Thank you so much for this great demo, and if you haven't already, I would highly recommend subscribing to this awesome channel 😊

@danieljackson630 5 years ago

I know this is an old video but being a pretty naff diy'r, you have inspired me to seal my own bathroom...being 41 and scared to make a mess I watched this, subscribed to your channel and did my bathroom...thanks mate, truly, thank you

@justanaussie2822 6 years ago

I like how you explain, why, knowing why is very important. Adults need a reason. Keep up the great training videos.

@kenkingsflyingmachines2382 3 years ago

I've been doing my own home repairs and remodeling for 40 years and I sat with my mouth hanging open through this whole video. How'd you get so smart so young? Thank you!

@spazda_mx5 6 years ago

I just wanted to thank you for this video, I'd been putting off resiliconing a shower tray that had a slight leak but watching this allowed me to approach the job with a plan and do it correctly.

@kennethlindop7752 5 years ago

Thank you for this tutorial Charlie. I followed your instructions to the nth degree and everything slotted into place. I’m 76 years old and I’ve been a DIY enthusiast for most of my life. I’ve lost count of the number of bathrooms I’ve refurbished and never as Silicone been so uncomplicated and easy to apply. You are amazing! Thank you.