Lights are susceptible to damage from water, mold and bugs when installed in outdoor environment. When it comes to installing outdoor lights, it is suggested that the lights be properly caulked. Silicone caulking is commonly adopted to achieve this purpose. By caulking outdoor lights you could keep water from penetrating into the components. It also makes it harder for mold and bugs to enter the lights and cause damage.
Silicone sealant is an ideal caulking material that forms a waterproof, flexible and tough seal. It is moisture sensitive, which means it cures in contact with moisture. Once cured, it is resistant to water and remains flexible. The advantage of silicone caulking is that it will not crack or shrink over time.
Here are silicone caulking tips for outdoor lights.
- To enhance the effectiveness of caulking, take a damp cloth and wipe the areas where you will be applying the caulk. Keep the areas clean and dry before you begin.
- As the lights are set in place, determine your work area for caulking.
- Punch the sealant tube open using the piercer on the screw cap. Make the opening larger if a larger size of caulking bead is desired. Squeeze the tube and apply a uniform bead of caulk to fully cover the seam/gap between the light and the back plate or between the light and the mounting board. Don’t worry if the caulk spills. Simply use a scraper to steer caulk around.
- As you have finished, use a damp rag or your wet finger to smooth out the caulk, leaving a nice finish. Press down a bit so that the caulk will flow and fill the hidden and hard-to-reach areas to ensure a better caulking result.
- Silicone caulk will become less spreadable in 30 minutes after applied. However, it takes 12 to 24 hours to fully cure.
Shin Dorn offers branded packaging of silicone sealant for caulking outdoor lights. Regular tubes are as small as 5 gram, 7 gram, 15 gram. Free sample tube are available for your evaluation. For further details, please feel free to contact Shin Dorn.
Related product: Silicone Seam Sealant (SK008)