Abstract:
A method of applying a silicone caulking compound. A first step involves applying a bead of silicone caulking compound to a seam or surface. A second step involves spraying a surfactant on the bead of silicone caulking compound. A third step involves wiping excess silicone caulking compound from the surface. The surfactant applied to the surface “lubricates” the surface to prevent adhesion of the silicone caulking compound to the surface when excess material is wiped away, thereby preventing smearing.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/712,667, filed Nov. 13, 2003, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to method of applying a silicone caulking compound. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The very properties which make silicone caulking compounds effective for caulking, make them difficult to apply with an attractive desired result. As silicone caulking compounds are tacky, they tend to stick to a surface. This property helps make an effective moisture seal. However, this same property tends to result in the silicone caulking compound being smeared over the seam or the sealing surface leaving a cosmetically unattractive finish. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     What is required is a simpler method of applying silicone caulking compound to obtain a cosmetically attractive finish. 
     According to the present invention there is provided a method of applying a silicone caulking compound. A first step involves applying a bead of silicone caulking compound to a surface. A second step involves spraying a surfactant solution on the bead of silicone caulking compound. A third step involves wiping excess silicone caulking compound from the surface. The surfactant applied to the surface “lubricates” the surface to prevent adhesion of the silicone caulking compound to the undesired surface areas when excess material is wiped away, thereby preventing smearing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a method applying silicone caulking compound to a surface according to the teachings of the preferred method; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the method illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein a surfactant is sprayed on silicone caulking compound; and 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the method illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein excess silicone caulking compound is wiped from a surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred method will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a method of applying a silicone caulking compound  10  which includes applying a bead of silicone caulking compound  12  to a surface  14 . Surface  14  to which silicone caulking compound  12  is to be applied should be smooth, dry, and free of all debris, including any previous caulking prior before the application of silicone caulking compound  12 . In the illustrated method  10 , a caulking tube  16  with an application tip  18  is used for applying bead of silicone caulking compound  12 , however it will be appreciated that a caulking gun could also be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a surfactant  20  is sprayed on bead of silicone caulking compound  12  before bead of silicone caulking compound  12  begins to set. Referring to  FIG. 3 , after silicone caulking compound  12  has been sprayed with surfactant  20 , excess silicone caulking compound  12  is wiped from surface  14 . In illustrated method, a cloth  22  is used to wipe excess silicone caulking compound  12 , however it will be appreciated that one could use a finger or other means could be used. It will also be appreciated that if silicone caulking compound is to be applied to a seam between two or more surfaces  14 , then bead of silicone caulking compound  12  must come into contact with all of surfaces  14 . No further silicone caulking compound  12  may be added after the spraying of surfactant  20 . Silicone caulking compound  12  is then allowed to set for a period of 4 to 10 hours. 
     Use 
     The use of the method of applying a silicone caulking will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 3 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , with the method described above, surfactant  20  that is applied to surface  14  “lubricates” surface  14  to prevent adhesion of silicone caulking compound  12  to surface  14 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , excess silicone caulking compound  12  may then be wiped away. Spreading out or smearing is prevented as silicone caulking compound  12  cannot adhere to surface  14  after it has been sprayed with surfactant  20 . It will be appreciated that a finger or other wiping device could also be used to wipe excess silicone caulking compound  12 . The excess silicone that is removed is not sticky or tacky and can be readily transferred, without mess, to a rag or paper towel for disposal. 
     Test Results 
     Surfactants are present in soaps and detergents. Often the word detergent is used interchangeably with surfactant. Surfactants are classified depending upon their charge. Anionic surfactants carry a negative charge. Cationic surfactants carry a positive charge. Nonionic surfactants are neutral, without either a positive or negative charge. In original formulations cationic surfactants were used with beneficial results. It was speculated that the positive charge of the cationic surfactants made them better suited for this particular application. The objective of this study was to evaluate anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants at different concentrations for their beneficial effect in this application. 
     Silicone Caulking Material 
     The silicone caulking material used in this study was a standard white interior grade intended for bathroom applications. The product was manufactured by General Electric Co. and was used as received. 
     Ceramic Tile 
     The performance of the various surfactants as an aid in the application of silicon caulking was evaluated on three prepared surfaces. The surfaces were prepared by mounting a single row of ceramic tiles (˜3″ squares) near the edge of a wooden support. Two wooden supports were then attached so as to form a right angle between the ceramic tiles and to bring the ceramic tiles into close proximity. The length of the right angle space between the ceramic tiles was about 75 cm. 
     Three different surfaces were employed for the evaluation of the materials: tiles with a smooth ceramic surface, tiles with a smooth ceramic surface where the right angle corner between them had been covered with a layer of masking tape, and tiles which had a rough textured surface. The silicone caulking was then applied to the right angle space between the tiles using a manual applicator standard to the industry. 
     Before each experiment, the surface of the ceramic tiles was thoroughly cleaned with water followed by acetone. Fresh masking tape was used for each experimental surface involving masking tape. 
     Evaluation Procedure 
     Preliminary Observations—No Surfactant Applied 
     The silicone caulking was pumped, using the manual applicator, into the right angle area between the ceramic tiles. In this way a bead some 1/4 ″ in diameter or so was formed in the right angle space between the tiles. When the finger was used in an effort to smooth the silicone caulking, and thus remove excess silicone caulking, it was found that the silicone caulking stuck to the finger and was difficult to remove. In addition, the silicone caulking smeared onto the area of the ceramic adjacent to the right angle space where the silicone caulking had been applied and it was found to be difficult to remove the silicone caulking from this area. Finally, the surface of the resulting silicone caulking bead had a rough appearance. In summary, the procedure resulted in a final bead of unattractive appearance and it was difficult to remove excess caulking from tooling and the ceramic tile. 
     Observations—Surfactant Applied 
     In order to evaluate the beneficial effect of the various surfactant solutions on the application of the silicone caulking, the silicone caulking was applied to the surfaces as described above. The surfactant solution was then sprayed onto the area where the silicone caulking had been applied using a mist applicator of the type commonly used in the application of a window cleaner. This application covered the silicone caulking with surfactant solution along with adjacent areas of the ceramic tile. Typically excess surfactant solution was applied. Finally, the finger was used to smooth out the applied silicone caulking and the result noted. 
     Characteristics evaluated were as follows:
     Ease of removal of excess silicone caulking from the finger   Smoothness of surface and uniformity of the resulting silicone caulking bead   Ease of removal of excess silicone caulking from areas of the ceramic tile surface near the final bead.   

     Surfactant Solutions 
     In order to evaluate various surfactants for their beneficial or otherwise effect on applying silicone caulking materials, aqueous solutions of a number of different types of surfactants were prepared in de-ionized water. The surfactants used in this study are listed in Table 1 below along with the suppliers of the surfactants. Table 2 summarizes the surfactant concentrations evaluated, and the observations of the beneficial or otherwise effect of the surfactant solution on the removal of excess silicon caulking material from the ceramic tile and fingers, and the final appearance of the silicone bead. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Surfactants used in this investigation 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Designation 
                 Surfactant Description 
                   
               
               
                 of Surfactant 
                 from Supplier 
                 Supplier 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Cationic 
                 BTC 824 
                 Stepan Co. 
               
               
                   
                 Myristalkonium chloride 
               
               
                   
                 Alkyl (60% C 14 , 30% C 16 , 
               
               
                   
                 5% C 12 , 5% C 18 ) dimethyl 
               
               
                   
                 benzylammonium chloride 
               
               
                   
                 50% Active Liquid 
               
               
                 Anionic 
                 Sodium dodecyl sulfate 
                 Fisher Chemical Co. 
               
               
                 Non-Ionic 
                 Igepal CO-630, a 
                 Stepan Co. 
               
               
                   
                 nonylphenol ethoxylate 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Results of Evaluation 
     Surfactant solutions of 0.1%, 0.3% and 1.0% by weight of as received surfactant in de-ionized water were prepared. Three different surfactants, as outlined in Table 1, were used. The resulting nine solutions were evaluated for their beneficial effect on the application of silicone caulking on the three different surfaces described above. The results of these examinations are summarized Table 2 below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Results of Evaluation of Beneficial Effect of Surfactants on 
               
               
                 the Application of Silicone Caulking to a Ceramic Surface 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Concen- 
                   
               
               
                 Surfactant 
                 tration 
                 Observations 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Non-ionic 
                 0.1% 
                 Good performance but not the best. On tape 
               
               
                   
                   
                 there was some ‘feathering’ and residue of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 silicone caulking. On the finger, some 
               
               
                   
                   
                 difficulty was experience in the removal of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 excess silicone caulking. 
               
               
                 Non-ionic 
                 0.3% 
                 Very good performance on all three surfaces. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Comes off the finger easily. Excess silicone 
               
               
                   
                   
                 caulking is easily removed from the tile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface. 
               
               
                 Non-ionic 
                 1.0% 
                 Excellent performance on all three surfaces: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tape, smooth ceramic and rough ceramic. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Excess silicone caulking was easily removed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 from the finger and from the surface of tile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 using a paper towel. The resulting silicone 
               
               
                   
                   
                 caulking bead was judged to have a uniform 
               
               
                   
                   
                 appearance with an excellent cosmetic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 appearance. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 It was agreed by all that the performance of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 this surfactant mixture left little if anything to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 be desired. Very smooth application. 
               
               
                 Cationic 
                 0.1% 
                 Silicone ends to smear on the tile surface. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Poor performance compared to other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 mixtures. 
               
               
                 Cationic 
                 0.3% 
                 May be better than the 1% cationic solution 
               
               
                   
                   
                 below. Not optimum however. 
               
               
                 Cationic 
                 1.0% 
                 Tendency to smear. Doesn&#39;t re-work as easily 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as some of the others. Not optimum. 
               
               
                 Anionic 
                 0.1% 
                 Some feathering on the tile surface. Comes off 
               
               
                   
                   
                 finger well. On re-tooling or re-working the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 silicone caulking bead, there is a tendency to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 smear. 
               
               
                 Anionic 
                 0.3% 
                 Works very well but not quite as good as the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1% non-ionic. Seems to stick to the finger 
               
               
                   
                   
                 more. 
               
               
                 Anionic 
                 1.0% 
                 Excellent performance on all surfaces. Very 
               
               
                   
                   
                 similar in performance to the 1% non-ionic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 mixture. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 
     Both the non-ionic surfactant and the anionic surfactant were found to have a beneficial effect on the application of the silicone caulking to all three surfaces. The cationic surfactant was found to have the least beneficial effect for the application of silicone caulking of all three surfactants at the concentration range investigated. What this means for a tradesman is that all three types of surfactant will work. The tradesman can mix any commercially available soap or detergent containing a surfactant with water and obtain the benefits of the above described method without worrying as to the particular “type” of surfactant to be used. If purchasing a surfactant from a chemical store, it would appear that a non-ionic or anionic surfactant is to be preferred. 
     In summation, it is to be understood that virtually any currently available household cleaner, detergent or soap would be suitable for use as the surfactant in accordance with the inventive method discussed above. The surfactant found in the following currently available household cleaners, such as WINDEX™, MR. CLEAN™, LYSOL™, FANTASTIK™, FORMULA 409™, for example, would be suitable for practice of the inventive method. It is to be appreciated that the important aspect of the surfactant is that it be in a flowable or spreadable state, e.g., liquid, gel, paste or some other non-solid form, so that it can be sprayed, dispensed, roller, brushed or otherwise applied to the desired surface, after application of the bead of caulk, and prevent the bead of caulk from adhering to undesired portion(s) of the surface when the excess caulk is wiped from the surface. 
     While any amount of surfactant has beneficial effects, the optimum concentration for beneficial effects of the non-ionic and anionic surfactants appears to be ˜1% in water. There is only a minor improvement in beneficial effect in going from 0.3% to 1.0% for the non-ionic and anionic surfactant, but a substantial difference in beneficial performance was noted from the corresponding 0.1% solutions. Increasing the amount of surfactant beyond 1% is not believed to sufficiently improve performance to warrant the increase cost. 
     In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.