If you’ve ever done any kind of automotive repair or DIY, you’ve likely run into RTV silicone at some point. RTV stands for room temperature vulcanizing, which is a fancy way of saying it cures quickly at room temperature. RTV silicone sealant reacts as soon as it’s exposed to the moisture in the air.

The chief reason this product is a staple among so many automotive owners and mechanics has to do with its toughness. Not only is silicone sealant known for its unique waterproof properties and flexibility, but it can also withstand tough conditions. RTV silicone sealant is known for its resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

However, before you get started with your next car repair with silicone sealant, there are a few things you should know first.

Silicone Sealant Safety

To avoid touching your face and eyes while working with RTV, wear safety goggles and gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly whenever you finish a job. If your eyes or skin comes into contact with the sealant, wash out the area immediately for several minutes.

Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area away from any children or animals. As with any type of car repair, distractions risk an improper fix, or in more serious cases, injury. Stay aware of your surroundings and you should be good to go.

All things considered, RTV is a pretty safe sealant to work with, and as long as you use it responsibly, it’s 100% safe. If you have any safety concerns or questions, reference the manufacturer instructions or the safety data sheet, which you can find easily under the product descriptions on Silicone Depot.

Let’s review some of the many ways you can automotive silicone sealant for your own automotive projects.

Create Gaskets

This is probably the most common use for RTV silicone — it’s called gasket maker for a reason, after all. You can use silicone sealant as a seal over existing gaskets, but sometimes it’s just easier to leave the beads of silicone in place of the factory gaskets if they are prone to jutting out and leaking.

RTV products work exceptionally well for gaskets because they have low shrinkage and won’t turn brittle. As with any project, you should make sure the gasket is clean and dry before applying RTV to it. Here are a couple of pointers on how to use RTV on a gasket properly:

• Only use the sealant on corners and joints where there are gaps, not on the entire gasket.
• Apply sparingly — a little goes a long way. Once the gasket is torqued into place, the sealant will flow into the joint and gasket.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use RTV.
• Take your time. The process of applying the sealant takes around five minutes, but it takes up to 24 hours for it to fully cure.
• For your next gasket project, we recommend using the Xtreme Gasket 100% RTV Silicone Sealant Gasket-Maker.

Seal Car Windshields

Starting to notice little cracks around your windshield? It might be time to reinforce them with a watertight seal. Applying silicone sealant will prevent water or air from leaking into your vehicle, and if applied correctly, the sealant should fill in any pesky cracks and crevices.

To do this project, you’ll want to make sure you’ve first located the cracks and protected the surrounding surfaces on your car with masking tape. Make sure you check for any rust or corrosion around the leak or crack, as that will need to be treated before you can move forward.

Then, you can finally apply the silicone sealant. Cut the tub at a 45°angle and gently squeeze the tube along the path of the crack. Apply enough to fill the gap until the sealant is level with the windshield and frame. You can use your finger to smooth out the sealant so it’s even. Remove the masking tape, let the area drive overnight, and voila! You’ve solved the issue without having to pay an expensive auto visit.

Repair a Cracked Bumper

Road debris, parking blocks, curbs, and large speed bumps are the bane of a car bumper’s existence. Whenever your bumper hits or scrapes against something, the valence (the lower portion of the front bumper) usually takes the brunt of the damage. This can result in unsightly cracks on the bumper of your car. Luckily, as long as the crack you’re dealing with isn’t too large, you can easily resolve the issue by applying a tube of 100% RTV Silicone Sealant/Adhesive to fill in the crack.

Find and Fix Leaks Anywhere

While RTV is ideal for fixing and sealing gaskets, you can also use it as a solution for other problem areas, like leaks in pipes, ducts/vents, and tank flukes. Additionally, automotive silicone sealant is an ideal tool for sealing anything from transmission oil seals, engines, differentials, and even the interior of your car!

Shop Silicone Depot for a Strong Vehicle Sealant

We’ve gone over only a few of the many ways you can use automotive silicone sealant to improve your vehicle. This product’s durability, flexibility, and heat resistance make it ideal for keeping your car fully protected from the elements and operating smoothly. If you’re looking for something that can easily be used for DIY repair, then RTV silicone might be just what you need!

When deciding on where to buy silicone sealant, affordability, quality, and customer service should be your top priority. Look no further than Silicone Depot for the best prices, lead time, and quality. We are committed to shipping out orders as fast as possible and offer free shipping on orders over $35. We even offer bulk discounts if you’re a business looking to stock up on tools.

Silicone Depot sells different types of silicone, including RTV silicone. Check out our automotive silicone sealant catalog today!

Projects to Use Automotive Silicone Sealant

If you’ve ever done any kind of automotive repair or DIY, you’ve likely run into RTV silicone at some point. RTV stands for room temperature vulcanizing, which is a fancy way of saying it cures quickly at room temperature. RTV silicone sealant reacts as soon as it’s exposed to the moisture in the air.

The chief reason this product is a staple among so many automotive owners and mechanics has to do with its toughness. Not only is silicone sealant known for its unique waterproof properties and flexibility, but it can also withstand tough conditions. RTV silicone sealant is known for its resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

However, before you get started with your next car repair with silicone sealant, there are a few things you should know first.

Silicone Sealant Safety

To avoid touching your face and eyes while working with RTV, wear safety goggles and gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly whenever you finish a job. If your eyes or skin comes into contact with the sealant, wash out the area immediately for several minutes.

Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area away from any children or animals. As with any type of car repair, distractions risk an improper fix, or in more serious cases, injury. Stay aware of your surroundings and you should be good to go.

All things considered, RTV is a pretty safe sealant to work with, and as long as you use it responsibly, it’s 100% safe. If you have any safety concerns or questions, reference the manufacturer instructions or the safety data sheet, which you can find easily under the product descriptions on Silicone Depot.

Let’s review some of the many ways you can automotive silicone sealant for your own automotive projects.

Create Gaskets

This is probably the most common use for RTV silicone — it’s called gasket maker for a reason, after all. You can use silicone sealant as a seal over existing gaskets, but sometimes it’s just easier to leave the beads of silicone in place of the factory gaskets if they are prone to jutting out and leaking.

RTV products work exceptionally well for gaskets because they have low shrinkage and won’t turn brittle. As with any project, you should make sure the gasket is clean and dry before applying RTV to it. Here are a couple of pointers on how to use RTV on a gasket properly:

• Only use the sealant on corners and joints where there are gaps, not on the entire gasket.
• Apply sparingly — a little goes a long way. Once the gasket is torqued into place, the sealant will flow into the joint and gasket.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use RTV.
• Take your time. The process of applying the sealant takes around five minutes, but it takes up to 24 hours for it to fully cure.
• For your next gasket project, we recommend using the Xtreme Gasket 100% RTV Silicone Sealant Gasket-Maker.

Seal Car Windshields

Starting to notice little cracks around your windshield? It might be time to reinforce them with a watertight seal. Applying silicone sealant will prevent water or air from leaking into your vehicle, and if applied correctly, the sealant should fill in any pesky cracks and crevices.

To do this project, you’ll want to make sure you’ve first located the cracks and protected the surrounding surfaces on your car with masking tape. Make sure you check for any rust or corrosion around the leak or crack, as that will need to be treated before you can move forward.

Then, you can finally apply the silicone sealant. Cut the tub at a 45°angle and gently squeeze the tube along the path of the crack. Apply enough to fill the gap until the sealant is level with the windshield and frame. You can use your finger to smooth out the sealant so it’s even. Remove the masking tape, let the area drive overnight, and voila! You’ve solved the issue without having to pay an expensive auto visit.

Repair a Cracked Bumper

Road debris, parking blocks, curbs, and large speed bumps are the bane of a car bumper’s existence. Whenever your bumper hits or scrapes against something, the valence (the lower portion of the front bumper) usually takes the brunt of the damage. This can result in unsightly cracks on the bumper of your car. Luckily, as long as the crack you’re dealing with isn’t too large, you can easily resolve the issue by applying a tube of 100% RTV Silicone Sealant/Adhesive to fill in the crack.

Find and Fix Leaks Anywhere

While RTV is ideal for fixing and sealing gaskets, you can also use it as a solution for other problem areas, like leaks in pipes, ducts/vents, and tank flukes. Additionally, automotive silicone sealant is an ideal tool for sealing anything from transmission oil seals, engines, differentials, and even the interior of your car!

Shop Silicone Depot for a Strong Vehicle Sealant

We’ve gone over only a few of the many ways you can use automotive silicone sealant to improve your vehicle. This product’s durability, flexibility, and heat resistance make it ideal for keeping your car fully protected from the elements and operating smoothly. If you’re looking for something that can easily be used for DIY repair, then RTV silicone might be just what you need!

When deciding on where to buy silicone sealant, affordability, quality, and customer service should be your top priority. Look no further than Silicone Depot for the best prices, lead time, and quality. We are committed to shipping out orders as fast as possible and offer free shipping on orders over $35. We even offer bulk discounts if you’re a business looking to stock up on tools.

Silicone Depot sells different types of silicone, including RTV silicone. Check out our automotive silicone sealant catalog today!