How to Make Silicone Dry Faster | An Expert Guide with Details

Silicone is a rubber-like material that uses in industries. As the name suggests, silicone is composed of silicon-oxygen and forms by adding oxygen atoms in the silicon. Silicone is highly flexible and can use in a variety of ways. It is non-toxic, stable, and resistant to high temperatures. Silicone rubber uses in a vast number of applications in virtually every industry. You may also need to remove silicone. 

How to Make Silicone Dry Faster

Silicone can use for a variety of purposes. In warm weather, it’s a great way to waterproof clothing, boots, or even housing. As a sealant for doors and car parts, it keeps water out and helps keep the temperature inside the vehicle cool in the summer and out in the winter.

But silicone can have its drawbacks, the biggest one being that it never dries in a reasonable amount of time. Now, we will explain the effective ways to do it. 

• Fill a large, deep container with warm water and place the mold or silicon part.
• Immerse the mold or silicon part into the container of warm water.
• Place a small fan near the mold or silicon part so the air current will dry it.
• Get your mold or silicon part out of the water container and cover it with non-stick paper.
• One option is to put a fan next to your project, but keep in mind that this will increase the chances of your project destroys by the fan. Silicone is a beautiful substance, but it needs to air out before it dries.
• Allow the mold or silicon part to dry in an open space.
• Put the mold or silicon part into a drying machine.
• Set the mold or silicon part near an air conditioning vent.
• Use a blow dryer to accelerate the evaporation process.
• Use a hair dryer to hasten the drying process. 
• You can use a heat gun or put it in front of a fan. If you use a heat gun, make sure you’re careful not to overdo it because it can quickly ruin your project.
• Another option is to pour rubbing alcohol over your project, but this method shouldn’t use in areas where you can’t get rid of the alcohol afterward

How to Make Silicone Dry Faster On the Surface?

Silicone curing is an exothermic reaction. The amount of heat produced by the response determines by the amount of catalyst used, the surface area of the catalyst exposed to air, and the air temperature. So the first thing to do is to make sure the surface has a good catalyst contact with the air and make sure that the top surface of the rubber is dry. 

The next object you can do is confirm that the rubber did not collect any trapped water. Water evaporates through the catalyst layer when the rubber cures correctly and cannot be trapped. So if the rubber exposes to trapped moisture, the reaction will not stop even after the surface is dry. The lesser the water trapped, the faster the silicone will cure.

Which Silicone Dry Faster?

Silicone sealants with tiny pieces dry faster than the certain with big pieces sizes. Smaller particle sizes will allow the glue. A constant film will dry faster because it will have no voids to become trapped. A silicone sealant with smaller particle sizes will be more viscous than one with larger particle sizes. It will help achieve a continuous film more readily, mainly when the adhesive applies in a thin layer.

Tips:

If you need the silicone to dry faster, try these tips. 

The following head may help you out: 

• First, try to mix the silicone with a drop more catalyst. With more motivation, the silicone will cure faster. 
• Do not apply the silicone for your project with a brush. Instead, use a paint roller. It will help you spread the silicone evenly without too much of it. 
• Stay until all water has dried before performing with electronic instruments on the silicone. Suppose you require to use an electric device.
• While the silicone is drying, do not allow it to dry in clumps. Gently coax the silicone to spread evenly. 
• Do not allow the silicone to sit for more than recommended. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Silicone Take To Dry? 

The drying time of silicone depends on the amount of silicone used, the thickness of the layers, and the humidity levels. Typically, it can take 15 minutes to one day in-order-to dry the silicone. 

Can You Cure Silicone In A Microwave? 

There is no known way to cure silicone in a microwave. The microwaves are too hot for the silicone and can cause it to become brittle, which makes it more likely to shatter upon impact. 

Will Silicone Still Dry If It Gets Wet?

It just depends on the type of silicone and the circumstances. Silicone adheres well to itself and other materials, so if you put a layer of silicone on your hands and then move it against something else, like a nail or a screw, it will stick. The silicone will still dry if the surface gets wet, but it will take more time. It also depends on whether there is any moisture inside the material.

What Happens If We Heat Silicone?

• First, heat will likely cause the silicone to expand in size. 
• Second, the high temperature may cause the molecules in the material to break down and react with one another.
• Thirdly, silicone that heats for too long will begin to decompose; thus, it will no longer be considered chemically stable. 
• Fourthly, if heated for an extended period, the molecules may break down until they are no longer recognizable.

Conclusion

There are many ways to make silicone dry faster, but the necessary point to remember is that you want to give yourself a clean, receptive surface. If you are using a mold, make sure it is clean and free from oil if you use a silicone sealant. To make your silicone dry faster, use a fan to blow cool air over it, or use a hairdryer. You can also put a small amount of vegetable oil on the surface to reduce the curing time, especially making silicone jewelry.