Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
kittyl_gw

What sealants are best for Polycarbonate

kittyl
17 years ago

Well, the corrugated polycarbonate followed me home from the hardware store!

I read back through a post started in May 06 about "What sort of caulk to use with Polycarbonate". Several suggested silicone caulk and nathan said he called corning who said use silicone. My husband picked up a clear sealant, which ingredients are "mineral spirits, Xylene, synthetic rubber, and hydrocarbon resin". Any greenhouse "chemist" on this forum to tell me whether this will damage the Polycarbonate?

The previous thread talked about "Great Stuff". IÂve used a lot of this in a project before with PVC pipe, it really is great stuff, and it had no significant odor nor did it damage the PVC. I do understand sun will cause it to turn yellow, but where IÂm putting it behind the studs it likely wonÂt be seen. My hardware store has another foam sealing product from Dap-tex which says it is latex foam sealant with no solvent odors and water cleanup.

"Great Stuff" is made of a "polymeric diisucyanate, polycis & hydrocarbon gas mixture". Got that? Ahhhh? I didnÂt get what Dap-tex is made of, other than latex based.

Anyone have incompatible/damage problems using either of these sealants?

I remember someone saying donÂt put bleach/Clorox on Poly as it does interact and cause a toxic gas. So IÂm just want to be using the right stuff.

I'm trying to attach a link to a photo of my greenhouse, framed and ready.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:305697}}

Comments (12)

  • nathanhurst
    17 years ago

    xylene will probably damage PC. The best sealant is probably water based silicone sealant. Use the greatstuff behind that and perhaps over any bridging metal frames (to keep the metal protected and reduce the conduction losses).

  • numbersix
    17 years ago

    I would use GE silicone 2, its used for aquariums and food prep areas in resturants.

    Dap-Tex & Alex plus stay somewhat soft and aren't very strong.

  • birdwidow
    17 years ago

    GE Silicone II is, as already stated, the ulitimate- safe to use. Aquarists have been using it for years to seal, or re-seal fish tanks.

    I suppose other mfg. make the same stuff, but once I knew the GE II was safe, I stayed with it. The price difference is also not that great. For a few dollars more per tube, I got what works best and won't damage my polycarb or kill my fish.

  • garyfla_gw
    17 years ago

    Hi
    As a side note there are some types of acrylic materials
    that silicone adheres very poorly.Acrylic comes to mind.
    Will stick for a long time and then pop off. It does adhere to vinyl in spite of what I was told. I had to use a hammer to get old vinyl boards apart over ten years old!!
    During the hurricane , material failed before the silicone!! and it pulled out screws.!!
    Does anyone know of a chemical that will remove silicone.?? A lot more labor to take it off then put it on.
    Please save me from scraping the entire roof!!lol
    gary

  • nathanhurst
    17 years ago

    I believe that there are no safe chemicals to dissolve silicone, especially that are safe on other plastics. Time to sharpen your scraper...

  • garyfla_gw
    17 years ago

    Hi
    Don't really have to worry about other plastics as the frame is aluminum. I'm not using the silicone on the new roof just breakaway screws. Have been told the only way to go for hurricanes though I had no structural damage with the silicone.
    The scraping will be a real chore especially from the gasket grooves. Actually a dull scraper seems to work better sharp ones tend to slice rather than get under.
    gary

  • oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
    17 years ago

    According to the info on the polycarbonate label, "do not use ammonia based products" Vinegar, use to clean the polycarbonate ,does not cause any problems. Although not a direct answer to your question, the warnings may help in your evaluation of of sealants.

  • maineman
    17 years ago

    Kitty

    "The previous thread talked about "Great Stuff". IÂve used a lot of this in a project before with PVC pipe, it really is great stuff, and it had no significant odor nor did it damage the PVC."

    Even though it has no odor, you should use Great Stuff with adequate ventilation. There are several Great Stuff products, and there are some health hazards associated with using it, as you can see from the links on this Household Products Database webpage.

    MM

  • patwood
    17 years ago

    Great Stuff sets up faster and is much stronger than the latex-based foams. The latex-based foams clean up much easier (Great Stuff is messy and hard to remove even from skin, but it adheres really well). As with many things in life, there are tradeoffs involved. Over the years, I've only used one can of latex foam vs. dozens of Great Stuff and similar products.

  • googoo_dahl
    17 years ago

    You know that your supposed to use the corrugated foam strips to enclose the top and bottom of your roof. Also the panels are 51" so they overlap. You use neoprene washered Hex screws to fasten. I have never heard of anyone using a sealant(except on the ovelaps)
    GE Silicone II is recommeded by GE (who make Lexan polycarbonate).

    Here is a link that might be useful: important G.E.Lexan info

  • kittyl
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Yes, I used the corrugated foam strips so far. I haven't used any sealant, as I'm not yet sure I'll need to. I'm going to wait and see. Sides and roof are all done now. I've put in a storm door. On many normal winter days I may just leave the storm door window open for ventilation.

Sponsored
Landscape Management Group
Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars27 Reviews
High Quality Landscaping Services in Columbus