The "new & improved" GE silicone caulk

[robc]

Has anyone used the new and improved version of the GE silicone window & door caulk? I've been using the old version for my backdrops for a long time and now that they've changed it, there is an odd odor coming off of the backdrop, even though it's cured for 3 days now. The smell hasn't gone away yet and it makes me wonder how "cured" it is...and if it's safe to put in a T enclosure. Has anyone else run into this?

This is the new caulk:

http://www.caulkyourhome.com/index.php

Thanks

Robc

 

[xhexdx]

Maybe compare the ingredients of the two?

Seems logical...

 

[redrumpslump]

i wouldnt use it if it has a weird smell coming from it.

 

[robc]

Maybe compare the incredients of the two?

Seems logical...

If you mean “ingredients”, that information is proprietary and they can’t give it out. I have contacted them and apparently it’s just the catalyst that is different – making it dry faster.

Thanks for the thought though.

 

[CAK]

Weird... I thought 100% silicone is 100% silicone...

If there is a chemical smell coming from it, I'd definitely have my guard up or test it on the wife or something first.

 

[james.m]

I used it and let it cure for a week. Afterward both tanks seemed to have pasted the smell test so I upgraded 2 avics to them and they seemed fine until the both died of nematods about a month and a half later. Poor guys, they were WC. So I really don't think u will have a problem once the smell passes. Also, I noticed that the tubes I bought at home depot had already had half the silicon dried in the tube. Not sure if u had that or not.


Sorry for formatting. This was written from a cell phone.

 

[robc]

I used it and let it cure for a week. Afterward both tanks seemed to have pasted the smell test so I upgraded 2 avics to them and they seemed fine until the both died of nematods about a month and a half later. Poor guys, they were WC. So I really don't think u will have a problem once the smell passes. Also, I noticed that the tubes I bought at home depot had already had half the silicon dried in the tube. Not sure if u had that or not.


Sorry for formatting. This was written from a cell phone.

Thank you for the info - exactly what I was looking for! Just to clarify, sorry...the caulk you used was the exact same kind I had in that link (same packaging and everything)? Half the caulk was dried already? That is very odd and I would have returned it. LOL Also, once your caulk finally cured completely, what was the consistency like? Was it rubbery and stretchy like caulk normally is after curing? Mine, the portions that seem cured, is more brittle than normal. It's very odd. When I talked to the rep from GE on the phone today, she told me that as far as she was aware, the only change was the catalyst that causes the caulk to dry by absorbing moisture from the air so I don't see why it's any different at all (other than that it's supposed to dry/cure faster) but the old caulk didn't smell at all after 24 hours.

 

[TalonAWD]

I have used it for Enclosure creation #7 and #8. It works just like the old one. Never had any of my tarantulas get sick or die from using their products. If you are worried about the additives you can use my new silicone choice which I describe in Enclosure creation #9 (Link in my signature under EC #9) Its FDA approved safe for food surfaces. Go to my link and you will see the link to the silicone I use. Its cheaper than GE Silicone II.
Stuff is better than GE II and has a stronger bond. Not to mention is 100% safe with no additives.

This is the only silicone i will use now. Check it out.

I use alot of silicone for my creations so I have plenty of experience using silicone as well as being a custom cabinet builder for 7 years long ago. I would say use the stuff I now use. You will never worry again.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

I've used it on some of my backdrops, and had no ill effects thus far.

 

[james.m]

Same exact stuff I used. I used the dark brown colored version of the silicon. One tube for each backdrop. Mine seemed fine in relation to its texture and flexability to past produce used.

 

[robc]

I have used it for Enclosure creation #7 and #8. It works just like the old one. Never had any of my tarantulas get sick or die from using their products. If you are worried about the additives you can use my new silicone choice which I describe in Enclosure creation #9 (Link in my signature under EC #9) Its FDA approved safe for food surfaces. Go to my link and you will see the link to the silicone I use. Its cheaper than GE Silicone II.
Stuff is better than GE II and has a stronger bond. Not to mention is 100% safe with no additives.

This is the only silicone i will use now. Check it out.

I use alot of silicone for my creations so I have plenty of experience using silicone as well as being a custom cabinet builder for 7 years long ago. I would say use the stuff I now use. You will never worry again.

Thank you - great info!! I'll look into that!

 

[robc]

I've used it on some of my backdrops, and had no ill effects thus far.

Which one are you referring to? The one I mentioned or the one Talon was talking about? I just checked out the info on the one Talon mentioned and I think that might just be my new caulk. LOL

 

[robc]

I have used it for Enclosure creation #7 and #8. It works just like the old one. Never had any of my tarantulas get sick or die from using their products. If you are worried about the additives you can use my new silicone choice which I describe in Enclosure creation #9 (Link in my signature under EC #9) Its FDA approved safe for food surfaces. Go to my link and you will see the link to the silicone I use. Its cheaper than GE Silicone II.
Stuff is better than GE II and has a stronger bond. Not to mention is 100% safe with no additives.

This is the only silicone i will use now. Check it out.

I use alot of silicone for my creations so I have plenty of experience using silicone as well as being a custom cabinet builder for 7 years long ago. I would say use the stuff I now use. You will never worry again.

Oops - another quick question: I checked it out and it looks like it'll work great but how long does it take to cure? And once it cures, it's non-toxic, correct? Figured yes but wanted to ask. LOL Thanks again!!

 

[TalonAWD]

Oops - another quick question: I checked it out and it looks like it'll work great but how long does it take to cure? And once it cures, it's non-toxic, correct? Figured yes but wanted to ask. LOL Thanks again!!

It sets in 15 minutes just like the GE brand. The smell is different because its a RTV silicone which means Room Temperature Vulcanizing. It has a Vinegar smell as it cures.
Cures fully in 24 hrs and achieves maximum strength in 7 days according to the label.
Now one difference is that the GE II retains a smell even after its cured. The New silicone 5005 will not smell after fully cured just like Aquarium silicone. Its really rubbery which I really like and unlike the GE II brand, its bond is alot stronger.
Just like Aquarium silicone, as you use it, the smell of the acetic acid can knock you out. (Really strong vinegar smell) So do not take a wiff like I did. It stops your breath immediately lol.

Oh and yes...Its completly Non toxic.

 

[robc]

Now one difference is that the GE II retains a smell even after its cured.

I have never noticed this until this new and improved GE II came out, but again I never really tried to sniff it closely LOL! IF it is giving off a slight smell would you say it is toxic, you have to basically put your nose on the backdrop to smell it...it has been curing for about 4 days. I will say I am going to switch to the one in your link, but I would hate to throw away 5 backdrops if it is not needed!

 

[TalonAWD]

I have never noticed this until this new and improved GE II came out, but again I never really tried to sniff it closely LOL! IF it is giving off a slight smell would you say it is toxic, you have to basically put your nose on the backdrop to smell it...it has been curing for about 4 days. I will say I am going to switch to the one in your link, but I would hate to throw away 5 backdrops if it is not needed!

Oh no, you do not need to toss the backdrops. With Enclosures 7 and 8, If I take a wiff, I still smell the silicone. And yes you are right, when they changed over to this new and improved version, the smell became apparant. For all my Exo-Terras I used the old version of GE silicone II and absolutely no smell.
Right now I have a tarantula in enclosure #8 and she is doing just dandy. The smell is still there but not as bad as before. Its now almost 2 months ago that I made that enclosure IIRC. I even put the enclosure on top of my oil filled radiator set on 1500Watts (high) for 2 days thinking that it needed to dry more but the smell never left fully. Thats why I decided to look for a more "Safer" product that resembles the Aquarium silicone but at a better price.

 

[robc]

Oh no, you do not need to toss the backdrops. With Enclosures 7 and 8, If I take a wiff, I still smell the silicone. And yes you are right, when they changed over to this new and improved version, the smell became apparant. For all my Exo-Terras I used the old version of GE silicone II and absolutely no smell.
Right now I have a tarantula in enclosure #8 and she is doing just dandy. The smell is still there but not as bad as before. Its now almost 2 months ago that I made that enclosure IIRC. I even put the enclosure on top of my oil filled radiator set on 1500Watts (high) for 2 days thinking that it needed to dry more but the smell never left fully. Thats why I decided to look for a more "Safer" product that resembles the Aquarium silicone but at a better price.

That is exactly the info I needed, I will be switching to, thanks for this great info, I appreciate it!! THe old GE II was a lot better IMHO! I have been told that what cures the new GE II is actually the moisture (humidity) in the air, not heat like I would have thought.

 

[TalonAWD]

If you wanted the absolute best product for aquarium use than you would look at something like this...
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumSilicone.html

 

[TalonAWD]

That is exactly the info I needed, I will be switching to, thanks for this great info, I appreciate it!! THe old GE II was a lot better IMHO! I have been told that what cures the new GE II is actually the moisture (humidity) in the air, not heat like I would have thought.

Correct! that is what they added. I learned this when i researched it a month ago. But the problem with that is that its made to cure rapidly as in if you needed to seal a window before it rains. Because of the rapid curing, the bond is sacrificed.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Which one are you referring to? The one I mentioned or the one Talon was talking about? I just checked out the info on the one Talon mentioned and I think that might just be my new caulk. LOL

The one you mentioned. Admittedly, I'm not impressed with it as it takes forever to lose the odor, and doesn't seem to hold the substrate to the backdrop all that well.