Finally wrote:I read with dread the other guy's post about his acoustic sealant mess. I'm about to start using some sealant and would like to know what all of you have used successfully and where it can be purchased. Convince me not to just use standard caulk.
Well you can use anything you want - but you will not necessarily gain all of the benefit of the "floppy caulk".
Read some of the pointers in the other thread - backer rod is important:
http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3104
[/quote] Some considerations:
1 -Clean-up
2 - getting all over everything-
3 - smell
4 - actual acoustic usefulness
5 - ability to fill voids without dripping/falling out
6 - anything I've missed?[/quote]
1. Clean up with the material reccomended by the manufacturer. No problems.
2. Well this is a function of just how carefull you are......... if you are less experienced - then masking tape at exactly where you want the edge of the caulk joint helps a lot - put the tape down on both surfaces - caulk, tool the joint - remove the tape carefully - and voila..... a perfect joint.
3. Odors will typically go away within a few days to a few weeks (depending on manufacturer and indoor humidity levels) but it's important (for this to happen) that you have plenty of fresh air circulating in the space.
4. Actual usefullnes is the maximum acoutic isolation value of any caulk on the market - as the caulks become harder they loos efectiveness - this is one of the reasons this caulk is designed to never really dry out and harden.
Only sika-flex caulk is something I would consider really comparable for years to come - and it is the messiest caulk I have ever worked with........
5. If you use the proper backer rod and a small joint (1/4" is pretty much perfect) this is not an issue.
6. Nope - you seemed to cover it all pretty much.
Rod