4 Tips for Quickly Drying Silicone Adhesives

Silicone adhesive is a product that is flexible and can be used in various applications. It is also known as silicone sealant. This product when compared to other products that are available in the market is not as strong. However, it has great flexibility even when it is completely dried or cured, and it is therefore very popular. One other advantage in using this product is that it can easily withstand high temperatures. This makes it the ideal choice in applications that are exposed to high heat. It is regularly used in a number of applications in the automotive industry, especially as an aid for sealing an engine. Its flexibility also makes it a good option as a sealant as far as various crafts and hobbies are concerned.  Here are a few tips to speed up the drying time of silicone sealants.

Tip 1 – Use a Fan to Dry the Adhesive

One of the easiest ways you can dry the adhesive is by using a fan. If the sealant is exposed to extreme temperatures in the curing stages there can be some adverse effects. Another option you have is to use a heat lamp instead of a fan. Or better still, if you have a hair dryer try drying the sealant with it. Very often what happens is that the sealant tends to look wet when it is actually dry. Do a touch test to check if it is really wet.

Tip 2 – Add a Drying Catalyst

Very often silicone adhesives can be dried quickly with the help of accelerators that are easily available in the market. You could also use some extra catalyst that will help in reducing the cure time. You can reduce the cure time by mixing distilled water in a small amount. The water quantity should be around one teaspoon for every pound. Just make sure that you mix the water thoroughly to prevent curing from taking place unevenly. 

Tip 3 – Avoid Storage in Extreme Temperatures

Do not store your silicone adhesive in extreme temperatures such as keeping it in your tool box. Very often storing the silicone adhesive in temperatures that are extreme can cause it to overheat. This would cause it to become kind of “globby,” and it would not dry very quickly. Therefore, make sure you do not store it in places where the chances of it getting overheated are high.

Tip 4 – Check the Expiry Date when Buying the Adhesive

Check the date on the tube and make sure that it is not out of date. Very often if the tube is old or bad it takes long to dry. Most tubes have usage directions that are given on it that mention the time it would take for it to dry.  If the solvent takes longer than the mentioned time, it is most probably because your tube is old. 

Choose Wisely

Silicone sealants can be of different types such as single products that do not require any mixing and are easy to use, or technologically advanced sealants such as a pressure sensitive sealant that would have a sticky feeling to it permanently. Also, some sealants require that they be exposed to heat in order to cure.