We have recently had a new fiberglass shower surround installed and we are having a hard time getting the caulk to stick. When it is applied it looks great, but after a shower or two it starts to ripple and comes off. Any suggestions for preparing the fiberglass before reapplying the caulk?
Any chance the seam was wet inside from the night before?
Any mold issues? If there is mold it will not stick
Fill the bathtub before putting in/on caulk. This will separate the tub & surround a little (you may not even see the difference). Water is about 8# per gallon so it adds up quickly
Wipe down with alcohol and make sure its dry. Take some tape and run it about 1/4 inch above and below where the caulk goes (leave enough area for the caulk - don't measure from the center line)
Buy silicon caulk - it comes in colours and clear.
Cut tip at a slight angle and don't cut too far down you want a small hole. Use bamboo skewer, hanger wire, long long nail etc to poke hole the seal
Have a small container of water, a rag. Run your bead of caulk all around the tub. Come back with finger dipped in water to smooth out the caulk - wipe off excess
Let dry. I carefully take a razor and barely scratch at the tape/caulk seam. Pull tape slowly.
Let it dry more. Read the label how long does it say before you can get it wet? I do a bath the first time not a shower just so I make SURE its done. Ria
My first question is what type of caulking are you using; not the brand. The area to be caulked should be clean and dry. I would apply a silicone sealer. Other types of sealer may not be compatibly with the water.
You can wipe the surface area down with Denatured Alcohol, or for a more industrial cleansing, try Acetone...(if you can find it....Acetone is now in the 'cancerous' listings, along with sex and breathing air ) Both are available in the Hardware Dept... Read the applications on the tubing; and check with Ace Hardware for a better selection of types..
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