Silicone won't harden

marilu · #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 09:36 PM

I found some GE Silicone I in the color Bronze that made me very happy (color-wise) when I found it, because it's close in color to the coco bedding and other substrate materials for my vivarium. HOWEVER, I'm finding that it doesn't want to cure/set/harden like other silicones I've used. Is it just a matter of time, or have I made a colossal mistake in trying to use it? (I'm siliconing rocks to a clear piece of plastic.) I used some just plain clear silicone for some of the rocks and it set up in no time. I can't figure out what the difference is. Can anyone give me any hints or advice?

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 09:41 PM

Wonder if its the chemical additive that makes it bronze that is causeing the problem, or the rocks are to cold, or dont make good enough contact together. making the silicone thicker then needed.whats the cure time supposed to be?

lowcountryfire · #3 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 09:49 PM

Where do you live? I am in SC, and I recently built my own viv, it took the silicone about 2 days to fully cure, it was about 30-40 degrees outside, but when I recently started another project using the same silicone, and materials, it took 24 hrs for it to cure pretty good at 60 or so degrees....

Jason · #4 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 09:55 PM

Ahhh. yes, Humidity maybe a factor as well if its been raining alot or just to many fish tanks in the room

marilu · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 10:03 PM

Jason, as usual, here you are saving the day! The tube says normal cure time is 24 hours. It's taking longer than that. The humidity is kinda high right now, about 67% I live in Overland Park, KS. Perhaps it is the humidity!

marilu · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 10:05 PM

lowcountryfire, thanks for your reply also. I guess I'm just in too much of a hurry, but this stuff seems to be extra slow. The humidity may have something to do with it. I'll wait and see.

siiigggghhhh!!

Jason · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 10:22 PM

Got a Dehumidifier (sp) ? if not go get one, thay are cheap enough put it right inside the tank or beside it. May be a good investment for next build.

froggsong · #8 (**permalink**) 01-28-2009, 10:34 PM

The tube of silicone could also be bad. There have been some posts in the past about silicone that doesn't cure properly. If I were you, I'd just go ahead and take the rest of the tube back and get another, they should replace it with no problem when you tell them it wouldn't cure properly.

beckdg · #9 (**permalink**) 01-29-2009, 04:08 AM

67%... should be dry... 1-2 days inside and out regardless... smell is a different story. silicone does not stick to certain plastics.