silicone mess

[Saurian]

Alright I dont get some of you guys. Your vivs look perfect. I am being really careful using it with gloves and all but I still get it all over the plexi I am siliconing. How you guys manage to keep it nice and pretty . Or do you take goof off or something to it once you are done before you take pics. Thanks.

 

[rhino43grr]

blue painters tape might help. i'm going to try that on my next tank since i also had some stray silicone streaks on the glass.

 

[Saurian]

Yeah maybe. I dont think it will hurt them since it lines every seam on the inside of the tank I just worry about the little pieces from trying to wipe it off,etc.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

If it's on glass, you can just take a razor blade to it. Should come off pretty easy. With plexi etc, you have to be careful not to scratch the surface though.

 

[Saurian]

Thats what Im gonna most likely do but Im really messy. One reason is I dont have a steady hand with the caulking gun so when I am putting it on the rim of the tank I slip sometimes. Fun times. Thanks guys. Also what great stuff do you all usually use? the red can? thanks.

 

[For The Sake Of Revenge]

Thats what Im gonna most likely do but Im really messy. One reason is I dont have a steady hand with the caulking gun so when I am putting it on the rim of the tank I slip sometimes. Fun times. Thanks guys. Also what great stuff do you all usually use? the red can? thanks.

Yep, red can, says for gaps and cracks.

 

[nater]

Alright I dont get some of you guys. Your vivs look perfect. I am being really careful using it with gloves and all but I still get it all over the plexi I am siliconing. How you guys manage to keep it nice and pretty . Or do you take goof off or something to it once you are done before you take pics. Thanks.

Why are you using silicone on plexiglass? As you've discovered it doesn't adhere well, and will eventually fail. Typically people use a purposed solvent like weld on.

Or am I misunderstanding you, and you're trying to get great stuff to adhere to an already pieced together plexiglass tank?

Yep, red can, says for gaps and cracks.

I'll ask you, as you seem to be in the know. I've read that the red can great stuff constricts as it cures. Is that true and if so how much does it shrink?

 

[rhachic]

There's various types of great stuff out now, some that supposedly expand even more than the original but I haven't noticed much of a difference. There's yellow, red, black, and blue that i've seen at our stores. Remember you want GreatStuff not DAP, the DAP is actually a soft foam, you want the hard carve-able foam. GreatStuff does not adhere to smooth surfaces like glass so you'll want wood or cork or something for it to grip on.
As for your silicone issue, definitely do painters tape. It gives you nice clean straight lines without worrying about gouging your plexi with a razor. But if you do get any on it, let it dry then just rub it off. Sometimes if it's really thin and got smeared when it was still wet you'll need alcohol on a paper towel to rub it off.
Hope that helps And happy vivarium building!