I live in a 1930's apartment building, and the bathroom has the original white and turquoise colored tile. I'm re-sealing between the wall tile and the bathtub. I believe the wall tiles are porcelain. I have DAP Kwik Seal and I have DAP Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk with Silicone. The Kwik Seal doesn't seem to harden. After 24 hours, it's still soft, like modeling clay. I want the caulk to be permanent, but flexible, even a little hard. Should I use the Alex Plus instead? The area nearer the shower head, where I stand when showering, gets a lot of direct water splash during showering and seems to wear out much more quickly than the rest of the caulk around the tub. Right now I have a plastic bag taped to the ceramic tile covering that trouble spot, while the caulking dries, but it won't seem to dry. Should I try something different? Will that Alex Plus be a better choice?
Thanks.
You are using a water soluable caulk---that will always fail---100% silicone will work---it's a bit tricky to install without making a mess---there are ways to do it neatly---Mike---
Mike,
I'm new at this. Thanks. I see now my mistake. I looked up silicone caulk online and I see that it's water resistant. Now I got it.
Will this DAP Alex Plus w/Silicone work, or should I just get the 100% silicone kind?
Link: http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=2
Surface must be clean and bone dry---use a razor blade to clean off all old caulk--hair dryer to make sure its dry--
Remember this--Silicone caulk will stick to any clean dry surface--it will not stick to a wet soapy surface---
With this method--always start at the bottom and work your way up---
Cut the tip of the tube--small opening--poke the seal inside the tube with wire--
Apply a thin bead of caulk--make sure you don't leave any voids--
Imediately spray the wet silicone with 'Greased Lightning' or '409' cleaner--spray your finger--tool the caulk with your finger---remove excess to a paper towel.
This is how the granite counter top installers get that fine perfect bead of caulk--Good luck--
Practice on something first if you want to---Mike---
That's exactly my problem. That, AND splitting apart. I'm going to use 100% silicone, or have building maintenance use it. They've been using the wrong stuff. Appreciate it.
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