Over the last 15 years I've done sink and tub caulk too many times.
there has got to be something that's amazing that will bond like crazy and won't separate even with a direct nuclear bomb hit.
i'm redoing our sink in white caulk and would love to never see mold or anything again. What to use??
Lexel? I've never used it for a tub but the clear worked great on a sink and it is super clear.
GE Silicone?
I think you've arrived at a zen koan: the caulk that sticks forever and does not mold. Repeat it quietly 10,000 times and one reaches a new level of plumbing consciousness.
Unfortunately IMO there's no best solution. I generally buy the most expensive GE stuff on the shelf, which seem to last. It doesn't seem to stain with rust but mold and soap sticks to it just fine. Seems to resist scrubbing pretty well so any mold problem is more about us cleaning than it is about the caulk... With any of them I've found application to matter a lot, leaving the surface very smooth and without ridges at the edges that'll trap mold.
Trade offs? Removal when it ultimately needs to be redone is harder than for the cheap stuff.
I don't know how well it would work in a bathroom, but this stuff is awesome and seems to last forever. It's a bit of a PITA to clean up though. I keep a tube around the house and use it on everything.
Thanks for the suggestions. I don't expect to find something that will resist mold... I just want something that adheres so well that nothing can get behind it and that scrubbing it won't peel it off.
I'll look into GE stuff and that OSI stuff
In reply to jfryjfry :
The Lexel definitely adheres well. It is much more of an adhesive than a silicone based caulk.
I've found that a good way to take off mold is to use Chorlox toilet cleaning gel and leave it on there for an hour.
I have found the easiest way to clean anything in the bathroom is to spray it with %50 diluted bleach, open the window, close the door (putting a fan in there is a good idea also) and leave it for a few hours. Sparkling clean. Cheap.
I add this because you clearly want the surface very clean before sealing it.
Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure...
I'm a little disappointed by what I've read in this thread so far...I was hoping for a GRM "The Answer" where everyone jumped onboard with a consistent choice. Like jfryjfry, I'm tired of peeling caulk. Guess I'll cross my fingers with the expensive GE option, but I'm pretty sure that's what I used last time.
Hondabond? :)
In reply to Mezzanine :
I can say that the OSI stuff is very tenacious. I first used it on SanFord to seal both interior and exterior things. It has survived multiple blasts with the pressure washer without releasing as well as repeated scrubbing with a brush. I also used it to reseal the passenger side window on the Blunder Bus. Even with the flexing that the RV does, it is still stuck where it's supposed to be.
My only concern with using it in a bathroom or kitchen would be how it reacts to some of the plastics that are used in those situations and the smell. It is not a water-soluble caulk and it takes a few days for it to completely outgas. It is waterproof instantly though.
OSI quad is fantastic however it's really difficult to "tool". I think the instructions even say not to do it. If you are the type of person that lays down a bead of caulk then smooths it with your finger you probably don't want OSI. It skins over really quickly and when you tool it with your finger the skin clumps and balls up making the bead look terrible.
I think there are other versions of OSI (quad max?), not sure what the difference is.
Went to Home Depot today and saw both the osi stuff and the ge products. Because of what old mentioned as well as the fumes, I opted to go with the ge stuff.
I figured I can try osi in the future if I get the pleasure of doing it again
OSI Quad can be tooled with mineral spirits.
Pecora 895 NST.
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