How to seal a window and make it look like the factory did it ?

[rvtips]

We had the L/F window replaced last year and when the tech was sealing it with silicone he was spraying something around the edges to keep the silicone smooth and he said it would not stick to any thing else?
Now I need to seal the hot water heater outside frame,had to remove heater for some repairs.I want to be able to make the silcone bead look as good as before and the way the window turned out.
Does anyone know what the tech would have used.Maybe some kind of cooking oil?
2003 Safari Sahara

Phillip

[nodine]

Originally posted by rvtips:
We had the L/F window replaced last year and when the tech was sealing it with silicone he was spraying something around the edges to keep the silicone smooth and he said it would not stick to any thing else?
Now I need to seal the hot water heater outside frame,had to remove heater for some repairs.I want to be able to make the silcone bead look as good as before and the way the window turned out.
Does anyone know what the tech would have used.Maybe some kind of cooking oil?
2003 Safari Sahara

Phillip

Phillip,

I replied to you over on the yahoo group but will give it another shot here. Try mineral spirits available in the paint department of Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. I have not seen this in a spray can but if you soak a rag with it and wipe down the seam it should smooth it out. Mineral spirits also works well to remove mildew from old seams and I use it to remove tar form my vehicles when washing them.

Bob

[pipedream2]

Bob
i thought i read both posts already this morning LOL same answer here ....wet cloth with windex over your finger will smooth silicon just the same in the fillet right after installing

[danes-on-tour]

rvtips

It is much simpler than that. It is soapy water.

You take a very little detergent that you use for washing your dishes and add this to water in a spray bottle. Don't add so much that it starts foaming when applied.

The soapy water prevents the silicone from sticking until the water evaporates. Then it sticks.

[Marcel]

The secret is to use a very small bead and add some if needed and use a wet finger to smood it. I was a cabinet maker for 35 years and use 1000 of tube it and art. Start small as even as possible.You need small hole on the end of your tube cut at a slope.