So, you’ve installed your new PVC wall panels from Cladding Monkey. The walls are looking fresh, clean, and modern. The transformation is almost complete, but there’s one final step that separates a good job from a great one: sealing the edges. This is where coloured silicone comes in, providing a seamless, professional, and waterproof finish.
Applying silicone can feel a bit daunting if you haven’t done it before. Get it wrong, and you can end up with a sticky mess. But get it right, and it elevates the entire project. Fear not! We’re here to guide you through the process, ensuring you get a perfect finish every time.
Why Coloured Silicone?
While standard white or clear silicone is functional, coloured silicone sealant takes your project to the next level. It allows you to match the sealant to your cladding panels or choose a contrasting colour for a deliberate design feature.
- Seamless Look: Matching the silicone to your panel colour (like white for our classic gloss white panels, or grey for our concrete effect panels) makes the sealant blend in, creating a flawless, continuous surface.
- Design Accent: Using a contrasting colour, such as black silicone with white marble panels, can create a sharp, defined border that frames your wall and adds a touch of sophistication.
- Hygienic and Waterproof: Just like the panels themselves, a good quality silicone sealant creates a waterproof barrier, essential for bathrooms and kitchens. This prevents water from getting behind the panels, protecting your walls from moisture and mould growth.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Flawless Finish
What you’ll need:
- Coloured Silicone Sealant (ensure it’s a good quality, low-modulus, neutral-cure silicone)
- Caulking Gun
- Masking Tape
- Stanley Knife or Scissors
- A Silicone Finishing Tool or a clean, damp cloth/wipe
- A bowl of soapy water (a drop of washing-up liquid will do)
Step 1: Prep is Everything
First, make sure the area you’re sealing is completely clean, dry, and free of dust or debris. Any dirt left behind will prevent the silicone from adhering properly and will be trapped there for all to see. Give the edges of the cladding and the adjacent surface a quick wipe-down.
Step 2: Mask for Precision
This is the secret to getting super-sharp, straight lines. Apply masking tape along both sides of the joint you intend to seal. Place the tape a couple of millimetres away from the corner on each surface. This creates a channel for the silicone to sit in. It might seem like a bit of a faff, but trust us, it’s worth the effort.
Step 3: Load the Gun
Cut the tip off the silicone cartridge using your Stanley knife. It’s best to cut at a 45-degree angle. Start with a small opening – you can always make it bigger if you need a thicker bead. Pierce the inner seal with a long nail or the spike often attached to the caulking gun itself. Pop the cartridge into the gun and give the trigger a gentle squeeze until the silicone starts to appear at the nozzle.
Step 4: Apply the Silicone
Now for the main event. Starting in one corner, place the nozzle into the gap. Applying steady, even pressure to the trigger, move the gun smoothly along the joint. The goal is to apply a continuous bead of silicone that slightly overfills the gap between the masking tape strips. Don’t worry about it looking perfect just yet.
Step 5: Smooth it Out
This is the magic touch. You can use a dedicated silicone finishing tool for this, which often has different profiles for the perfect bead shape. Alternatively, the classic method is to use your finger. Dip your finger in the soapy water (this stops the silicone from sticking to you) and run it smoothly along the bead of sealant. The pressure should be light but firm, pushing the silicone into the joint and smoothing the surface at the same time.
Step 6: The Grand Reveal
Immediately after smoothing, it’s time to remove the masking tape. Pull it away from the joint at a 45-degree angle. Do this while the silicone is still wet for the cleanest edge. What you’ll be left with is a perfectly straight, professional-looking line of sealant.
Allow the silicone to cure fully before it gets wet. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but this is typically around 24 hours.
And that’s it! By taking your time and following these simple steps, you can use coloured silicone to apply a truly professional finishing touch that perfectly complements your new wall cladding.
