Thinning And Dyeing Silicone To Make Rubber "Paint"

Patreon: / danielhiteshew
This is how I use odorless mineral spirits to thin, and food coloring to dye Silicone caulk to make a rubber "paint" that can be applied by brush to many surfaces. I use GE Silicone 2 for it's greater adhesion qualities. Simple food coloring provides limitless color variation.

[@jaaasgoed]

Jesus Dan, that looks like a lot of work goes in to that, but the result is something to look at! Love it.

[@BodysmasherMTG]

Working on building custom PVC pipes with my vivarium set up and this video was very useful. Thanks for the information and straightforward applications

[@TomokoAbe_]

looks beautiful, Dan! You are amazing!

[@anditwasknownas]

Stunning! Now I value 80' movies practical effects even more.

[@azerradmournes]

Wonderful video! Great explanation, and great end product! Thanks for the info, keep up the good job!

[@dorisjimison7590]

Hope you get this comment. Love the video. The part about needing water made a lot of sense. I wanted to learn how to make pourable silicone for mold making and I got a lot of help from this video. I'll just "brush on" the silicone/mineral spirit combination and we'll see how things go.

[@obsidiansythe8432]

How did it go? O:

[@amberelferink]

What were your results?

[@surronzak8154]

Results ?

[@reclaimingRAD]

I gave up on a couple projects years ago due to me not being able to thin the cheap box store silicone. Tried RTV silicone which was to expensive. (*TIP* you can mix RTV and your typical silicone to make the expensive RTV go further) Looks like I'm going to Home Depot 🤙Thanks, I wish I saw this a long time ago!

[@auntdeedeesdollnursery3212]

Thank you so much, that looks so amazing. Should really help me with my project. Thanks again. 😇

[@nicola3540]

Thanks for a great video. You can actually colour the silicone with lots of things - acrylic paint works really well, it’s less translucent than food colouring and it helps it cure quite a lot faster, oxides used to colour cement are also pretty good, particularly the black oxide. If you want a more opaque effect, besides acrylic paint you can add a bit of talc / powdered chalk (but not so much you raise the ph in the aquarium, tho it would eventually go down again)

[@janetgernand9123]

Do you can mix acrylic paint with silicone latex sealant and mineral spirits to thin the silicone?

[@nicola3540]

@@janetgernand9123 yep! You have to mix in the paint when the silicon’s straight out of the tube, ie before it starts to cure, but that’s the same as with anything else you might add to silicon. Keep in mind it can speed up the curing time - sometimes by quite a lot - so it’s best to do it in small batches so you don’t ended up with wasted silicon. Mineral turps is a good thinner, but an even better thinner is the one I’ve suddenly forgotten the name off!😵‍💫 - it’s the stuff you use to fill zippo lighters, I think it begins with N…. I love silicon coz you can do all sorts of stuff with it, from super practical to out there artistic and everything in between, though it has to be about the messiest substance on the planet to use, some of it always ends up where it’s not suppose to be - like my hair, the wall, even once in my bed! - which is kinda annoying.

[@daves2354]

Naphtha I think

[@paulandrews__]

Great video Dan. Thanks for these tips. I have no interest in aquariums but I can see other 3D art possibilities.

[@fookingsog]

That "vinegar" smell I believe is actually "acetic acid"!!! I had to deal with it in black and white photography development. Very harsh on the lungs and you really need good air ventilation!!! Regarding thinning #2 silicone, NightHawkInLight KZbin Channel shows how to waterproof old bedsheets and as a solvent uses VM&P Naphtha for the process. BTW, thanks for this cool video!!!😎👍🏻

[@tmorton922]

I have also used the liquid rubber (stuff they advertise on tv) U.T.C. colorants would be compatible. Check on fish "friendlylyness" I work on swimming pools/ ponds and silicone does not do well on a water saturated underlayment (concrete, grout, plaster) It always loses it's bond. Works fine on porcelain/ glazed tile or glass. For what its worth. Thanks for the vid. I need to make a silicone emulsion (very thin like water almost) to seal freshly cleaned pool tile. You answered my question. Mineral spirits will thin silicone.

[@lackadai]

Thanks for this video. I am surprised about the food coloring because of its water base-but lookee there! It works! I will bet that alcohol based inks would work well with this, too!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Dry powder food dye is also good.

[@TomokoAbe_]

I never thought of using food coloring with silicone.

[@MichaelMantion]

You should try Naphtha or Coleman fuel.

[@Drifter0001]

This is the video I was looking for. Thank you! Would it be possible to use this as a concrete pond sealer?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I would think so, but I've never tried it.

[@raymonddube70]

Great video Dan and thanks for sharing. A question for you, does a second coat of thinned silicone stick well to the coat under it? Tks!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I found that it did. I put a lot of coats on the waterfall.

[@RunningStillsProductions]

Great video! Trying to dye or create clear silicone to brush on a stop motion puppets hair. Any tips? Thanks!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I know you can use powdered pigment for more intense color.

[@naughtydonkey2nd280]

Whats up with the Betta tank? Love from Jamaica 😎🇯🇲

[@opsis6310]

Hi Dan. I was wondering if this application is safe for fish, amphibians, and reptiles once fully cured? I'm looking to thin silicone to waterproof wood for a high humidity reptile enclosure and to waterproof decorations for an aquarium. Thanks!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I've had fish living in it for over a year now.

[@KellyLovesSeals]

Thank you so much for this video, this is so cool! Quick question, how long does it take for it to cure? Thank you!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

A few days at least. The thinner you make it, the longer it takes.

[@jasonthurston799]

I thought silicone does not bond well to already cured silicone? Perhaps the thinning process helps with it adhering? Looking this up I see some say it does bond well, some say it doesn't. With bathtub in particular I see that it says to scrape it all out because it doesn't bond. Probably with bathtubs the caulk has lost integrity from moisture working under it.

[@lezbriddon]

is it still ''food safe'' after thinning? - can it be thinned with something for use with aquariums / fish etc?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I've used it for over a year without any issues.

[@jamesdonnelly8888]

Nice info, thanks. How long does it take to cure when painted on like this? Do you know how it would hold up to UV damage?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I let it cure for about a week, and I doubt it has any UV resistance.

[@zeroumashi2947]

If you're using GE silicone 2+. silicone oil will also mix well and thin the silicone. I've tested and done so several times. I use Super Lube 56104. It's safer for using indoors since it doesn't offgas.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

thanks. That's good to know. Does it evaporate and stiffen back up like the thinner does?

[@zeroumashi2947]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly It doesn't evaporate. it permanently thins the silicone. it also changes the properties making it more flexible the more silicone oil you add. If you add enough it becomes stretch-able after it cures. if you're applying 1/8 in or thinner coats i estimate 24h cure time. If it's 1/4 or thicker I've had it take 1 week to cure. this won't work with GE silicone 1 "vinegar cure" only silicone 2+ "ammonia cure".

[@jmikronis7376]

@@zeroumashi2947, thanks for the info on thinning the silicone RTV rubber with silicone oil! The part where it cures to become stretchable. I’m going to use this on the inside surface of the tires on our lawn tractor. I didn’t know what to do to the Silicone to thin it out to make it much easier to apply. I also didn’t realize the mixing action introduced moisture vapor which much aided in its curing. Very good info! 1 week cure time? That’ll do it for me! I’m thinking this will work much better than silicon body paint as a coating. I’m not interested in buying inner tubes for tires on non-road applications.

[@IsoJacobijntje]

Great video! It helped me a lot with my current project :D I did have a slight problem, after my silicone dried I had a lot of tiny holes. Someone told me that the mineral spirits had to evaporate out the the silicone somehow, but I don’t know. Perhaps it’s worth mentioning that I used acrylic paint in the mixture, but my previous mixtures of acrylic paint and silicone never gave me holes. Any idea what I might be doing to cause this?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

No, but I'm not sure mixing acrylic paint with the silicon won't compromise the silicone's integrity.

[@LongIslandFishGuy]

Dan, you’re like the Bob Ross or fish keeping! Lol

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Lol

[@daves2354]

Fu** yeah man! We're gonna put a happy little silicone tree over here. And swish, swish goes the waterfall. Don't be afraid of it. We only have happy accidents with silicone and every single one can be fixed with, you guessed it, a little more silicone lol

[@Nimue32]

Is there an issue other than odor with the acetic acid? I want to try your method with RTV 4500 (food grade) but it has acetic acid in it.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Nope. It's just hard to breath and makes your eyes water terribly. Be sure that it's fully cured before adding aquatic animals though. And remember that the cure time will be much longer once you thin it out

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly I wonder if ammonia is more dangerous to breathe, despite acetic acid causing the eye-watering. I had that happen - the smell is way overwhelming from the silicone acetic acid. But vinegar is safe to drink - so I think acetic acid is safe.

[@benrositas8068]

Does the silicone shrink as the mineral spirits evaporate?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Not that I was able to tell.

[@selayma]

Could this be used to make a mold as well?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Probably, but a lot of it would take a very long time to cure

[@evanpennock1301]

I realize this is an old video, but I was wondering how long it takes for the mixture to completely off gas? I applied a small amount of this for reptile enclosure a few days back and still has a slight Oder to it. Thanks!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I can't say exactly, but a few days should probably be enough.

[@evanpennock1301]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly awesome! I'll give it another day to sit and hopefully by tomorrow the smell has gone! Appreciate the reply

[@jennetteclements6555]

Could you thin this enough to use in a spray bottle?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I doubt it. Maybe a pump style container would work.

[@tims7101]

What is the work time after you mix the "paint"? Thanks for sharing. It looks amazing!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Not long. The thinner you make it, the longer you get, but it's still measured in minutes. (maybe 10 to 15 at the most)

[@tims7101]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly have you tried mixing in, or sprinkling on top after painting, some sand or other inert powder?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@tims7101 No, I haven't. I was thinking powder might take the shine off. Sand would give a great texture.

[@dchall8]

Does it shrink when it dries?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Not that I noticed.

[@algebarb]

Hi! Great video. I can't buy mineral spirits in California, what can I use instead? Will paint thinner work? Would lacquer thinner be better? The hardware store sold me paint thinner because their catalogue said to use it, since they can't provide me with mineral spirits.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I believe so (especially if their catalogue says so). Turpentine works, and I believe you can use alcohol (Isopropanol or ethanol, just get the purest you can find. Iso comes in 99% anhydrous, and ethanol is about 90% if you get Everclear)

[@algebarb]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly thank you so much for replying, I think that's very kind :-)

[@catch.22]

Sir will this dry properly on finished silicone casts?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I would think so. Silicone will adhere to silicone, won't it? If you're not sure, try it on something small and expendable to see what happens.

[@catch.22]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly bless you!!

[@alishajay8956]

Ok so I've worked with silicone some and I keep having issues with the painting portion. I just learned to airbrush with silicone but my paint is still just wiping off easy and I thinmed with mineral spirits. I .wondering if something is wrong with mine though because it's a thick milky white but it looks like same bottle you have in video but it's not that nice clear liquid you poured. It seems to keep globbing up or thickening the silicone though the opposite affect that I want

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

The silicone should come in white or clear. The clear can look "white" once you start stirring in air. Water is water starts the curing process, so as soon as you add the liquid food coloring, you're working against the clock. this could be where you're getting the clumping. You can try powdered food coloring too.

[@alishajay8956]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly well my biggest problem really is even though it's had like a week to dry and feels try the paint is just rubbing right off.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@alishajay8956 Silicone doesn't really bond to surfaces, so it'll always be like that. It's not going behave like actual paint.

[@thomasadkins5009]

Can u do this without the mineral spirits so that the silicone stays thick then use the colored mixture to seal a fish tank? Or would that comprise how well the silicone would seal?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I'm not sure if it would affect the seal, but I don't think it would. you can certainly mix some food coloring in without the mineral spirits. Powdered food dye works too.

[@thomasadkins5009]

Thanks so much, I might try in the future if I need to reseal a tank :)

[@Jillian1stJohn3-9-10]

How well will the silicone stick to fabric...for designing T-shirts?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I think it'll stick pretty well. Certainly trying it out.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly I'm gonna try this as a cheaper roof sealant because 1 gallon is $100 or $80. Better to make your own. What do you think?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885 I think I'd stick with the stuff that's made for roofs. If it was a less important structure, I'd be more likely to agree, but not the roof.

[@jmikronis7376]

@@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885, I’m thinking the roof sealant material has extra insurance added due to it being part of a living space. Everyone likes to sue.

[@gilberteaz]

What is the pot life? When I mix 100 percent silicone with food coloring I only have minutes before it drys.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Thinning it gives you more time, but not as much as you'd think.

[@gilberteaz]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly Thanks! I made a Chinese dragon out of upholstery foam. I was planing to use Uro coat from smooth-on. You don't get very much for the price. So I wanted to use silicone and food coloring to paint it. Once coated will the surface take acrylic paint well?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@gilberteaz No. You can't paint it at all. You'll need to buy paintable silicone, and I've never used that kind. That's why I use the food coloring to dye it.

[@mikael6865]

Wow, that's amazing. It looks like you put in a lot of work to make it. How many hours do you estimate you put into making that? How does it look when it was finished in its intended environment?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I have no idea how many hours it took. Several weeks to get it up and running. It's been going for almost 2 years now.

[@mikael6865]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly Cool. Thanks. Do you have any pictures of it in it's intended environment? I would love to see the finished result.

[@keffinsg]

Are you making Jabba the Hutt?

[@janetgernand9123]

Can you use acrylic paint instead? I’m needing to make fake ganache for a fake cake prop and need it to be flexible to stick to foam and not crack. So can you add mineral spirits to silicone sealant to thin it down and it will still dry to a rubbery hardness? Thanks for this video tutorial!

[@nicola3540]

If it’s like a shiny ganache, then I would thin the silicon with Napthine (I remembered the name😉) or mineral turps until it’s about the same consistency as warm ganache before adding the paint. It should look just like ganache, tho if it’s going directly on a foam base that could potentially be a problem as the silicon and thinner will start to dissolve it. It could be ok as the silicon could cure before it’s had time to do any real damage, but you never know so I would paint or cover the foam first, just in case. Good luck.

[@janetgernand9123]

@@nicola3540 ..thank you! I actually covered the styrofoam with a latex silicone sealant, mixed with brown chocolate colored acrylic paint, so I should be okay! Where do you buy Napthine at…a hardware or art store?

[@janetgernand9123]

@@nicola3540 ..oh, and I first covered the styrofoam with cosplay foam prior to putting on the acrylic latex silicone sealant mixed with paint.🙂

[@janetgernand9123]

@@nicola3540 …I’m having a hard time finding Napthine. Are you located in the United States? I wonder if it’s under a different name as I looked for it online at both a hardware and art store…and on Amazon too…and couldn’t find it.🤷‍♀️

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Not sure about acrylic paint, but the way I did it, it is still a firm silicone rubber.

[@DanielMorton711131]

I am not into aquarium, but I am interested in the thinning of silicone for paint, it may work well with a project I am working on, lighting the tips of antlers, I have been working on the process of hollowing out antlers so that I can put the lighting on the tips without mutilating the antlers, without drilling holes and patching them. After hollowing out some answers I thought I could put rubber tubing instead of wires to run water through for a aquarium filter system. Check out this link. photos.app.goo.gl/HUjmHzHosJBLCa9k6

[@Robert-zx2df]

I thought 2 was. Ammonia cure. Doesn't that smell ?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

No, It's number 1 that produces ammonia.

[@Robert-zx2df]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly at 1:40 you say number one releases vinegar (acid) lol So wouldn't that mean number 2 is ammonia ? Just trying to figure this stuff out . Would de natured alcohol work too ?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@Robert-zx2df I'm sorry. You're right. Number 1 is vinegar, and 2 is ammonia. It has an odor, but not overpowering or eye watering. I'm not sure about the alcohol, but if I had to guess, I'd guess that it would. (you can always try a little a see what happens.)

[@jmikronis7376]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly, good to know.

[@JacobNielsen-jp6lk]

I am pretty sure that the chemicals you use for thinning the silicone will be taken up by the organisms in your aquarium. If you like them, you probably shouldn't do that. Kind regards, the biologist.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Well several years of use told me otherwise. I took this waterfall down months ago, after yeas of use.