More... Which Caulk?

ASMCHICO

It looks like this issue gets touched on from time to time, so sorry if I am beating a dead horse.

I oversee several apartment complexes, most of which have their own on-site handymen. Many of these units have water damage, sometimes it is because the caulking has failed in the shower enclosures.

In my projects I use silicone ll or sometimes dap kit & bath. I have noticed most of these handymen "kings of hd supply" are using polyseamseal.

Should I discourage them from using the less expensive product?
Are we both using junk?
One of my plumbing supply stores has Harvey's - anyone like that?
Is the dap at the box stores a retail version? - lesser quality then same brand at pro suppliers?
What is your preference?
What's the best that money can buy? - dow corning?

Thanks

neolitic

If there is movement in the joint,
or if you aren't making a clean
three sided mechanical joint,
good luck.
PolySeamSeal Tub and Tile is the
best I have found in over thirty years.
My tub is still in excellent shape
after 10 years.
Most of the problems I see are from
guys who try and paint it over
a poorly prepared joint.

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WarnerConstInc.

The stuff from Dupont is the bomb, too bad one tube is almost 30 bucks.

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davitk

Cheap POLYSEAMSEAL here. I learned about it from a union mason nine years ago, and my tile guy uses it too. Happy happy happy.

neolitic

It only comes in green,
right?

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WarnerConstInc.

It comes in any color you want, well a lot of colors.

I started using it on solid surface material and it preformed so well I use it anywhere caulk is required in a bath or kitchen.

The little tubes that match SS colors are like 40 bucks and I think they are 8oz.

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BCConstruction

I have had very good luck with Dow Corning 785 it's all we used in the UK and never had issues with it once. I used up the last tube i bought to the US with me a few weeks ago and aint looked for it in the US yet but i have been using the GE stuff and Polyseamseal and to be honest they dont seem any different. Only time will tell. The most important thing to do is make sure you wipe down the surfaces and clean them very well before applying the silicone. The release agents and wax they use on baths and tiles can make even the best silicone come unstuck in no time.

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stp57

91% rubbing alcohol works really good as prep & clean up. A little on your fingers makes the silicone go on like glass.
Steve

BCConstruction

Thanks Steve i have some of that here somewhere. Might be a little quicker than the way i do it. I use the handy wipes that remove silicone, paint, wax, grease and so on. Only problem is i have to make sure i dry the area well before applying the silicone. Acetone works well i know but you gotta be so carefull with that stuff.

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WarnerConstInc.

Denatured alcohol for cleaning silly cone up.

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neolitic

Silicone trick a granite guy
showed me.
Lay in a bead, mist it down
with alcohol in a spray bottle
and tool it with a finger dipped
in alcohol.
The caulk won't smear, because
it can't stick where you sprayed.
Makes you look better than you are.

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UALocal1Plumber

Phenoseal is what we use on all the big projects. . . that and GE II.

Keith