Silver streak

Silver sealant: The perfect match for your metallic surfaces

When you’re sealing a silver or grey metallic surface, why use white sealant which you have to paint? Silver sealant will save you time and money and is available in many useful varieties. Read on for the details

What is silver sealant and when should you use it?

Applying sealant is a vital part of many successful home improvement projects. Sealants fill the gaps and cracks around fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom, corners and trim work, tile, and many other places. They protect your home from moisture, water damage, insects, and mould. 

Many sealants are white or clear. Most are paintable, except for pure silicone. However, if your surface is prefinished metal and won’t require painting, a white bead of sealant won’t match. That means you’ll have to find a suitable paint and go to work. When working with stainless steel, aluminium, or other metals, it can be a challenge to find a good match.

An ideal solution is to use a coloured sealant that closely matches your surface. Silver sealant is formulated to match common metals and colours. Many silver-grey silicone sealants are available for virtually any situation—more details on selection below.

How to apply silver-grey silicone sealant

Apply silver sealant as you would any other type of sealant . Here are the simple steps:

  1. Clean the area to be sealed so that it is free of dirt, dust, or anything that might inhibit the bond. Use a cloth and some mineral spirits to remove any greasy residue.
  2. Apply a strip of masking tape to either side of the joint. Make sure the edges of the tape are straight and parallel. This will create a clean and even bead of silver sealant.
  3. Cut the end of the sealant tube to the appropriate size and load it into the caulk gun.
  4. Starting at a corner, apply an even bead of sealant, holding the caulk gun at a 45° angle.
  5. Smooth the bead of silicone sealant with a caulking tool or a wet finger. 
  6. Carefully remove the masking tape, leaving smooth, straight edges.
  7. Immediately clean up tools and any spills.
  8. Allow the sealant to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions before use.

How do you clean up after applying silver sealant? Fortunately, many silver sealants are water-based for an easy clean-up. Some products may be labelled “siliconized acrylic sealant”. These also clean up with water. If you use a pure silicone silver sealant, clean tools and surfaces with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Wear nitrile gloves while working to protect your hands.

Silver silicone sealant: Great for indoor and outdoor use

Always choose a silver sealant designed for your intended application. For example, look for a product labelled for kitchen or bathroom use when planning indoor applications in wet areas. You’ll likely find a wide range of colours to match the surrounding materials.

If you’re doing an exterior repair, using a sealant rated for outdoor use is very important. Indoor-rated sealants can’t withstand the range of temperatures, UV light, and harsh conditions they will face outdoors.

For metal roof leaks or to seal around fasteners, use a silver roof sealant. There are many colours available to choose from, so it should be easy to find a metallic silver silicone sealant for your roof!

If you need to seal around windows with chrome-plated frames, you’ll find many silver sealants for use on windows and doors. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Need a quick repair that will be nearly invisible in most cases? Loctite Extreme Gel adheres to almost any material with a permanent, flexible bond. It’s super durable and can also be used outdoors since it is resistant to UV light, moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes. Loctite Extreme Gel dries crystal clear.