NOT EVERY SILICONE IS THE SAME

I made a mistake and I am not afraid to admit it. In this article allow me to set the record straight.

In the June issue of the magazine Kurier Kamieniarski I described my experience with various types of silicone using the words I borrowed for the headline of this article. I claimed – and my view has not changed in this respect – that it is always best to use only silicones designated specifically for stone. However, I also advised that when at a pinch, we can pop into a nearby DIY shop and get glazing silicone as an alternative. Guess what – I was wrong! Using glazing silicone for stone is a bad idea. This type of silicone may be as clear as a shot of good liquor you down on a New Year’s Eve, but the consequences of using it will be just as unpredictable as drinking the liquor.

I learnt this the hard way when we were dismantling tombstones after a stone fair. We had used glazing silicone to attach the tombstones to slabs and plinths. The joint was strong enough to keep the tombstones in place, but not too strong to cause trouble when being dismatled. However, after we had removed the tombstones, we noticed greasy stains where the silicone had been applied to the stone. It seemed that stone had absorbed grease and as a result turned dark. The very same thing happens when you use universal silicone to install tombstones, stone slabs, or stairs.

What is the lesson learnt here? That when working with natural stone – and especially when we are working with granite – we should always use specialised silicone designated for natural stone. This way we will avoid unnecessary problems and leave other types of silicone to builders.

Speaking of various types of glue, one of the superior products suitable for gluing granite and one I have personal experience with, is the glue M500 made by OTTO Chemie. The best thing about this glue is that it can be used on wet surfaces. I just love this feature! It is no longer an issue when the stone is wet before the application, when it is raining, or when the morning mist is settling. The M500 glue is excellent for attaching a vase to a tombstone or a slab to a plinth. The only trouble is that when you need to remove the attached element, you will need a good hammer! I would like to add that I am not a sales representative of OTTO Chemie, nor am I paid to advertise their products – I just wanted to share my experience. I have also used the S70 silicones made by OTTO Chemie. These require dry conditions, but they come in a variety of colours and can be used for both gluing and pointing. They apply well, do not discolour the stone, and are not greasy. These silicones are not cheap, but they are worth the price tag. They are certainly cheaper than dealing with complaints from your clients or facing problems that often come with lower quality products.

Source: Kurier kamieniarski
Author: Grzegorz Siedlecki  |   Published: 13.11.2019