Plastic fantastic!
When it comes to selecting the best plastic sealant for the job, there’s a lot of choice out there. UniBond has you covered.
Plastic sealants: Why you need them
When we think of sealant, we usually think of it as being used to seal around ceramic showers, sinks and bathtubs, or wooden window frames, door frames and skirting boards. But increasingly, more and more elements and items in our homes are made of durable plastics like polycarbonate and uPVC. And because accidents still happen and gaps still need filling with this modern material, a sealant that is compatible with plastics is a great item to have in your toolbox.
There are several types of sealant that work effectively with plastics. Modified or hybrid polymer sealants make an excellent waterproof sealant for plastic, as they can be applied in wet conditions, offer great adhesion to non-porous surfaces without needing a primer, are generally paintable and have elasticity, strength and shock-resistance.
Silicone sealant for plastic can be an option, as well. It is also waterproof and highly resistant to weather, including extreme hot and cold temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor as well as indoor applications. Silicone sealant offers excellent flexibility and elasticity, giving it long-lasting shock-resistance, too.
The best polymer sealant for plastic
UniBond’s One For All range features fantastic liquid sealants for plastics. It utilises Henkel’s patented Flextec technology, combining flexible polymer chains developed to resist shocks and extreme temperatures. The range also offers excellent waterproof sealants for plastic which can be applied to wet surfaces.
UniBond One For All Universal is a waterproof adhesive and sealant suitable for most common household bonding and non-structural sealing jobs. White in colour, it can also be used for gap filling. UniBond One For All Crystal is a waterproof seal and bond solution that dries transparent.
As their name implies, both One For All Universal and Crystal can also be used while working with wood, brick, ceramic, tile, stone, metal, glass and mirrors. Highly flexible, paintable and UV-resistant, they can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C and as high as + 80°C, making them ideal for outdoor as well as indoor application.
For extreme repairs and sealing of uPVC windows and doors, UniBond Extreme Repair sealant also features Flextec technology. Suitable for interior and exterior application, it is extra strong, flexible and will bond to damp surfaces.
The best silicone sealant for plastic
With just a 20-minute drying time, UniBond Universal is a silicone waterproof sealant for plastic and other building materials, including glass, tiles, ceramics, anodized or pure aluminium, steel, stainless steel and wood. Mould resistant and flexible, it provides a strong, lasting seal for non-paintable joints indoors and outdoors.
UniBond Window & Door Frame creates a durable and flexible perimeter seal for multiple materials – including uPVC and polycarbonate plastics as well as wood and metal – making it suitable for most exterior window and door frames. As well as providing strong and flexible sealing, this silcone adhesive for plastic is waterproof, enabling it to repel harsh weather conditions and protect any home from the elements.
Plastic sealant: How to use it
- Clean. Ensure all surfaces are free of old sealant and clean and dry, in order to achieve the best possible seal. If removing old sealant, use a cloth moistened with white spirit to remove any remaining dirt and accumulated grease and allow to dry.
- Prepare. Cut the tip off the sealant cartridge’s nozzle at a 45-degree angle to create an aperture that matches the width of the joint you are sealing. It’s best to cut too small first – if it’s not big enough, you can make the aperture larger (but not vice versa). Insert the cartridge into a sealant gun.
- Seal. Place the tip of the dispenser nozzle at one end of the joint you are sealing and gently but firmly squeeze the sealant gun’s trigger. Move along the joint steadily to create a smooth, continuous bead of sealant.
- Finish. When complete, use UniBond’s Sealant Finishing Tool to compact and smooth the sealant bead into the joint and achieve an optimal finish. Leave to dry as per the product’s instructions.
If you need to remove old sealant, you can use UniBond Silicone Sealant Remover to break it down and make it easy to remove. To complete the job without damaging any of the materials around the joint you are sealing, use the UniBond Smoother and Remover Tool.