Sealant cure time?

[shelloise]

It's day three and the sealant is dry but rubbery and still a bit soft under pressure. My husband used a lot. Is it supposed to cure hard or rubbery ????
I was thinking of putting a plastic liner on the floor of it but it is probably as sealed as you can get lol

 

[wellington]

It depends on the type of sealant used, whether it gets hard or stays rubbery. Read what is on the container and see if it tells you. If it s rubber type sealer, then I'm sure it's not going to get rock hard, or it would crack.

 

[shelloise]

It depends on the type of sealant used, whether it gets hard or stays rubbery. Read what is on the container and see if it tells you. If it s rubber type sealer, then I'm sure it's not going to get rock hard, or it would crack.

Well, I asked and he said he threw the tube away and it was garbage day so it is long gone. He said it was called Dib or Dab or Dub or something.
Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! Lol

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So if it is the rubbery kind, is that good or bad?

 

[shelloise]

I need some more input please?
Ok it is the kind that doesn't harden hard, just stays rubbery. Is that ok or should I scrape it off and try something else? Duct tape is looking good right about now

 

[tortadise]

Your thinking of DAP maybe?. DAP makes many types of sealant. Silicone based, and Acrylic Latex. Both will have some plasticity to them. They are designed to flex. Exposure to UV will harden it and decelerate the life of its durability. So you want it to be "rubbery". If it has been 3 days its perfectly dry, fine, cured, and ready for mulch.

 

[shelloise]

Your thinking of DAP maybe?. DAP makes many types of sealant. Silicone based, and Acrylic Latex. Both will have some plasticity to them. They are designed to flex. Exposure to UV will harden it and accelerate the life of its durability. If it has been 3 days its perfectly dry, fine, cured, and ready for mulch.

Great, thanks. Yes, DAP sounds right. I think I will still put a liner in it, so the liner will cover the plastic and may last a while longer.

 

[tortadise]

Sounds like a plan. If its wood a liner is best anyways. Over time sealant will fail after many cleanings of mulch and moisture exposure from the mulch or substrate.

 

[shelloise]

Sounds like a plan. If its wood a liner is best anyways. Over time sealant will fail after many cleanings of mulch and moisture exposure from the mulch or substrate.

How high do you think the liner should go up the sides? Should I duct tape it to the wood?

 

[tortadise]

I would put it all the way to the top, or 4-6" above the estimated top of substrate. We know how torts like to dig or rearrange things. Duct tape wont adhere to wood very well. I would use a heavy duty staple gun, with T50 staples. Or you can use some screws with washer heads to hold it in place. Wood also is a good sponge for fecal matter and is very hard to clean. Its porous too so it will absorb water or dirt, and dust generated.

 

[Mich]

I agree 3 days should be plenty to dry! I made my tort enclosure out of a wardrobe and was super paranoid about any moisture getting onto the hardwood floor (my husband would kill me!!! lol). So I used LOTS silicone on all the seams inside and out .. it only required 24hrs to dry but I gave it 48hrs because it was thick!! After that I put down a few thick layers of clear plastic sheeting and did the duct tape thing you mentioned!! Haha Over kill I'm sure but better safe then sorry. I only went up each side about the with of the duct tape (this is the only pic I can find where you can see the silver tape clearly on the left side wall). My tort is a leopard, not much of a digger but if yours is digger than the duct tape is nice and strong and will hopefully hold fast!