GE Silicon II question

14 years ago

Not satisfied with having the house in complete disarray from clearing out the spare bedroom and sorting through the closets for the annual Salvation Army donations, I've decided that now is as good a time as any to finally do something with the miscellaneous clear glass pieces that I've been accumulating since spring. (I call it multitasking, my DD lovingly refers to it as AADD.)

After reading up on totems and stackers and such, and on the overwhelming advice of the creative people here at GJ, I bought two tubes of GE Silicon II. I carefully washed and dried each piece, then spent the better part of yesterday stacking and rearranging them to my liking.

So here I am putting together my first Folly and just realized I have no idea how long it takes GE silicon II to set up. How long should I plan on having these sections and pieces of stacked glass sitting around the house? Hours? Days? Weeks?

I also noticed my tube of GESII isn't crystal clear like I was expecting; in fact, the stuff is milky looking, slightly opaque - is this okay? I thought it would look like E6000 glue, which *is* crystal clear, but is not recommended for long term outside use. Will this compromise the bond? Have I just ruined my favorite pieces by using old glue that will disintegrate when it gets cold? (these are for outside) There's not a date on the tube, so I don't know if it's old, or been stored improperly or whether this is normal or what exactly. Any advice?

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Comments (10)

littledog
Original Author
14 years ago
"6-8 minute working time. 45-60 minute tack free time, 24 hour cure time"

But no word on whether a milky looking consistency is normal or will compromise the bond. Anyone here know about that?
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leveta
14 years ago
Mine was that color and it worked fine. It is silicon an all the ones I've seen that were clear when they dry are off color...
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vee78910
14 years ago
littledog, be sure your GE Silicone II is for windows & doors. There are several kinds of Silicone II. The windows & doors type dries crystal clear. Those of us making totems usually put two or three pieces together, allow to dry maybe overnight, then add more. I wouldn't put together more than three pieces at one time so that you can handle that stack when the last one is dry. Looking forward to pics of your work. Isn't it FUN?!
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Marlene Kindred
14 years ago
Hi Littledog~

Yes, make sure you're using GE II for windows and doors. I usually let my totems set for several days before I put them outside...at least a week. I may be paranoid, but I haven't had any trouble with them since I let them set up that long. I moved my very first one too soon and it slipped.

Can't wait to see pictures!
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katishooked
14 years ago
Littledog-- I usually stack mine to my liking, then I glue two or three pieces together, then the next day I stack the whole thing. This gives time for the GEII to set and not slip, breaking your lovely glass pieces. GEII for windows and doors is alittle milky when using, but dries pretty clear. I usually wait two to three days cure time. Any pieces I have outside are doing well.

Kat
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the-light-lady
14 years ago
You could also call the company and ask them if it will dry clear. You'll probably have to give them the UPC number. Have fun! :)
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littledog
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for reassuring me. There's special silicone for windows and doors? Huh. Mine just says
(GE logo on top)
Silicone II
100% Silicone sealant
And on the side it says "Household Glue". Also, I took the tube out in bright sunlight and found a date stamped at one end: "Use By 05/09" (well fizzle.) On the one hand, it's only August, the stuff came from inside a store rather than hanging on a rack outside, so perhaps it's not too old. OTOH, it is August, and there's no telling how old the stuff actually is. *sigh*

I'm going out of town tomorrow for a couple of days, and these will sit undisturbed in the now tidy spare bedroom until I return to allow the "household glue" to set up. At that point, I guess I'll know whether to take them apart and try again with new glue, or start looking for nifty places to put them outside. For now, here they are:
{{gwi:188774}}
I'm glad y'all asked for pictures, as I can see the stack on the left is leaning and will have to be redone. I think it needs something wider/heavier as the second piece from the bottom. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a suitable goody at yard sales this weekend. ;^)
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laurastheme
14 years ago
littledog, there's a GE silicone for windows and doors that is white and one that is clear. If it comes out of the tube grainy or is extremely hard to squeeze out it probably is no good.
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katishooked
14 years ago
Little you have some lovely pieces. Try as I might most of my pieces lean a little. I usually don't notice til all is set. As long as it isn't like an elbow, I leave as is. I didn't notice yours leaning till you pointed it out.

Kat
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big_deck
14 years ago
Been using the same silicon to fill in the gaps on the TurtleWalk and might be done by this weekend?

Turning out to be almost perfect for what I wanted it to do, though it has yet to pass the test of time. The interesting part is that if you use a small amount, in a day or two it turns clear - seems to take longer for a 1" layer. GE (boy that was fun) said that a 1" layer may take a long time, but it should turn clear once it truly cures.

What I like about it for the TurtleWalk is that I can lay it in the seams - add a bead at the surface area to make certain I have filled in the gap completely - and then in a day or so take a thin razor blade cutting knife and skim the surface and end up with a 'smooth finish'.

And, once it cures, I cut the edge with the same knife and what is stuck to the sealed wood pulls right off like rubber cement and does not seem to harm the deck sealer!
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