Shower cubicle mastic ...

[pvr]

Simple, so I thought ...

Battled to get the old stuff out from the floor / wall joint and thought I would do it properly so I put masking tape both on the shower tray and the wall and off I went with the mastic gun.

Hmmm, as soon as I finished I removed the masking tape expecting perfect straight lines. Not quite ... there was a lip on the floor where I pulled the tape off where it joined the mastic and the wall was not much better.

Another hour spent this morning removing all the mastic again, but how can I apply it in a straight line nice and thinly? The tape (and using a wet finger to smooth it) did not work for me.

 

[ekimj10]

You can buy a simple tool to shape the bead and use soapy water made from wash up liquid. Still won't guarantee perfection, that comes with a few years of practice. The most difficult bit is on an internal corner. Best of luck!

 

[buzyg]

I use the back of a small tea spoon for shaping.

 

[pvr]

I was thinking of cutting a corner off an old credit card to get the angle. Guess the amount you apply is vital as well, as too much seems to make a big mess.

Not sure how you use a teaspoon though?

 

[buzyg]

I was thinking of cutting a corner off an old credit card to get the angle. Guess the amount you apply is vital as well, as too much seems to make a big mess.

Not sure how you use a teaspoon though?

The trick is to cut the tip at the right point for the width of the gap. Try about a third of he distance from the tip to the body . With a small tea spoon, or cruet spoon use the tip of the spoon., You can vary the angle you hold the spoon at, depending on the with of the bead. A steep angle for a narrow bead

 

[john-e89]

I was thinking of cutting a corner off an old credit card to get the angle. Guess the amount you apply is vital as well, as too much seems to make a big mess.

Not sure how you use a teaspoon though?

Rookie error Paul, happens every time. You’re using way too much mastic, way too much. If you’ve cut the plastic tube nozzle too big then you’ll need to go and get another, just cut the very tip off at a 45 deg angle. Tape it up again and use a very thin bead, you’ll think it’s not enough but once you’ve smoothed it with your soapy finger or mastic tool there’ll be enough in.

Try taping a small length along the tray to practice first. You’ll get it right.

 

[pvr]

For both the wall as well as the floor side? I am trying to see how you can avoid it becoming a smearing mess.

 

[Stevepj]

Get yourself a Fugi kit and you'll get great results in next to no time.
Got mine from Ebay for a couple of quid a few years back, but I'm pretty certain B&Q etc do them now

[youtube]wQxtQhpA5Vo[/youtube]

 

[pvr]

I was thinking of cutting a corner off an old credit card to get the angle. Guess the amount you apply is vital as well, as too much seems to make a big mess.

Not sure how you use a teaspoon though?

Rookie error Paul, happens every time. You’re using way too much mastic, way too much. If you’ve cut the plastic tube nozzle too big then you’ll need to go and get another, just cut the very tip off at a 45 deg angle. Tape it up again and use a very thin bead, you’ll think it’s not enough but once you’ve smoothed it with your soapy finger or mastic tool there’ll be enough in.

Try taping a small length along the tray to practice first. You’ll get it right.

You are dead right - I had put on way too much. Good thing I have a supply of tips (thanks eBay - 25 for a fiver or so ).

So tape is still the best way to go - except for using a lot less of the stuff?

Rookie error ... I hate it when you are right for once :lol:

 

[john-e89]

I was thinking of cutting a corner off an old credit card to get the angle. Guess the amount you apply is vital as well, as too much seems to make a big mess.

Not sure how you use a teaspoon though?

Rookie error Paul, happens every time. You’re using way too much mastic, way too much. If you’ve cut the plastic tube nozzle too big then you’ll need to go and get another, just cut the very tip off at a 45 deg angle. Tape it up again and use a very thin bead, you’ll think it’s not enough but once you’ve smoothed it with your soapy finger or mastic tool there’ll be enough in.

Try taping a small length along the tray to practice first. You’ll get it right.

You are dead right - I had put on way too much. Good thing I have a supply of tips (thanks eBay - 25 for a fiver or so ).

So tape is still the best way to go - except for using a lot less of the stuff?

Rookie error ... I hate it when you are right for once :lol:

Yes you can tape it up Paul, keep practising, you’ll get the knack of how much to use to feather it down to the tape so that when you take the tape off the edges are very very slight, almost flat.

I’m always right.......you know that....it’s just so hard for you to acccept it....... :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Corner tool is cheap...has various angles on it. Keep your fingers out..spray on soapy water .ca 20% mix

 

[pvr]

Get yourself a Fugi kit and you'll get great results in next to no time.
Got mine from Ebay for a couple of quid a few years back, but I'm pretty certain B&Q etc do them now

[youtube]wQxtQhpA5Vo[/youtube]

Thank you - I have just ordered that for Monday delivery.

 

[TitanTim]

I tend to do around the shower tray around every 18 months and as said the cutting of the tip is critical and not trimming too much off, I tend not to use tape as I use clear silicone. I've found speed and a steady hand at the right angle always does it. If I get it right in one go it doesn't need smoothing off.

Tim.

 

[mr wilks]

Lube is the key Paul , , either as John suggests by continually dipping your smoothing finger into a pot mixed 70% water 30% washing up liquid or as i prefer ( i do quite large runs around windows / doors etc ) have it in a spray bottle . Only spray over once all mastic is applied then smooth away with a variety of sized fingers or thumb if necessary
Simple baby wipes are also worth having for wiping fingers or removing mastic that isn't set
btw , would love to see some pics been feeling a bit down after return from France

 

[john-e89]

, would love to see some pics been feeling a bit down after return from France

:trampoline: :trampoline: :trampoline: Yeah yeah yeah......pics Paul....let’s see some of the doughnut lines of splurge before you’ve used 500 bog rolls to wipe it up.....go on....post some....cheer the day up....!!!!!!!

 

[pvr]

Tough crowd

After second removal of all mastic (clear at screen end, white at wall end). No more nails means that

Plastic tool and nails to get it all out, yikes.

 

[pvr]

Kitchen roll was used John to attempt to remove the worst of the previous disaster :lol:

Ok, so tool ordered, spray tip noted and appreciated. One evening next week to do the second attempt of applying it, this time
Probably too thin so it does not cover it :lol:

 

[ekimj10]

I have used this sealing strip from Wilko around the edge of the bath and so far (3 months or so) its been very successful.
You end up a with a 19mm x 19mm seal, its self adhesive and looks very neat, also cheap.
This is the link http://www.wilko.com/fillers+sealants/wilko-sealing-strip-bathroom+kitchen-38mmx335m/invt/0288922
Def recommend, just take your time, use masking tape to mark where the horizontal bit goes, leave the adhesive cover on the vertical bit and its good. Saves the dilemma of getting a perfect mastic seal.

 

[pvr]

With fugi kit bought the mastic is now in place. Used the 3 mm side, pretty happy with that tool and the tips of all of you guys about the soapy water worked a treat as well

 

[john-e89]

So you gave up and let the missus do it after all then Paul......nice job, she’s talented....