What is Selleys Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone, and where should you use it?
Selleys Pro-Trade Wet Area is a high quality 100% neutral cure silicone containing fungicide to prevent mould and mildew growth in hot and humid areas. It reacts with atmospheric moisture to produce a form-in-place silicone rubber seal, and it works as both an adhesive and a sealant for industrial kitchens, shower screens, baths, vanities, basins and waterproofing.
The two properties that decide most wet-area jobs are that it will not corrode metals and that it carries ±25% joint movement capability. Neutral cure is what makes it safe against the tapware, screen frames and powder coated surfaces a bathroom is full of; the movement figure is what keeps the bead intact as the room heats, cools and gets used.
The constraint to settle first: it cannot be successfully painted over. Complete any painting before applying the sealant.
Technical specification
| Property | Typical result |
|---|---|
| Technology | Neutral cure silicone |
| Colour | Clear, white |
| Density | 1.04 |
| Application temperature | Minimum 5°C |
| Skin time (25°C / 50% RH) | 4 to 8 minutes |
| Cure rate | 10mm in 5 to 7 days |
| Slump (JIS A 1439) | No slump (0.1% max) |
| Tensile strength (JIS K 6249) | 2.0 MPa |
| Shore A hardness (ASTM D2240) | 28 |
| Elongation at break (JIS K 6249) | 400% |
| Movement capability | ±25% |
| Service temperature | -60°C to 170°C |
| VOC content (SCAQMD Method 304-91) | 30 g/L |
| Standards | BS 5889 approved |
| Packaging | 300g cartridge |
These are indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.
What the key numbers mean in practice
The skin time of 4 to 8 minutes and the tooling time of 5 to 8 minutes together define a short working window. In a shower recess, that means beading and tooling one run at a time — a corner joint, then the next — rather than sealing the whole enclosure and coming back with a spatula. Tooling after the skin has formed tears the surface, and on a wet-area joint a torn surface is where water sits and mould starts.
The tack free time of approximately one hour is when the bead stops picking up dust and fingerprints. It is not when the joint is finished. The cure rate of 10mm in 5 to 7 days describes how deep the cure travels, so a shallow tile-corner bead is through-cured well inside a week while a deep joint takes longer. Because the cure needs atmospheric moisture, a joint enclosed on all sides cures more slowly again.
±25% movement capability with 400% elongation at break and Shore A hardness of 28 describes a soft, elastic seal that stretches as the joint opens and closes. To get that in practice the bead needs real depth in the joint, not a thin smear across the surface. The no-slump rating (0.1% maximum) means a vertical bead holds its profile instead of sagging before it skins.
Mould resistance and what it depends on
Pro-Trade Wet Area contains a fungicide, is described as anti-fungal for wet or humid areas, and is mould and mildew resistant. Understand what that protects: the fungicide works within the silicone itself. It does not stop a colony living on soap scum and residue sitting on top of the bead. Regular cleaning of the joint is what keeps that surface layer from establishing, and a bathroom that dries out between uses will not sustain much growth in the first place.
Where to use it
- Industrial kitchens
- Shower screens
- Baths
- Vanities and basins
- Waterproofing
It is described as ideal for most common building substrates, including glass, aluminium, tiles, ceramics, fibreglass, non-oily timber, and most paint and powder coated surfaces. Pre-testing on substrates is recommended. The reference to non-oily timber is worth noting: oily timbers release extractives that interfere with adhesion, so a pre-test matters more there than elsewhere.
Surface preparation
Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of dirt, grease, oil or water. Metal and glass surfaces should be cleaned with general-purpose thinners or mineral turpentine and allowed to dry before sealing.
How to apply it
- Clean the surfaces so they are dry and free of dirt, grease, oil and water. Clean metal and glass with thinners or mineral turps and let them dry.
- Prime if the substrate requires it, and allow the primer to dry before applying the sealant.
- Use approved backing material for joints over 10mm deep.
- Cut the nozzle at a 45 degree angle to the bead width you want and load the cartridge into a sealant gun.
- Apply a steady bead into the joint, making sure the sealant is pushed into it rather than laid across the surface.
- Tool within 5 to 8 minutes. For a neat appearance, use masking tape and remove it before the sealant has skinned over.
- Clean up before the skin forms.
Limitations — where Pro-Trade Wet Area should not be used
These are the manufacturer's stated limits:
- Not suitable for structural glazing.
- Not suitable for submerged joints where porous substrates permit water to the bond interface. The product page states the same thing more bluntly: do not use in permanent immersion.
- Not suitable for aquarium construction.
- Not recommended for drinking water tanks.
- Should not be applied in contact with bituminous materials or some rubber products. These can contain components that migrate into the sealant and cause staining or reduced performance.
- Complete painting before applying the sealant, as it cannot be successfully painted over.
The immersion limitation is the one worth reading carefully for wet-area work, because a bathroom joint is wet often but not permanently. Regular wetting is what the product is for; a joint that stays submerged is not.
Clean up and storage
Uncured sealant cleans up with mineral turpentine — do it as you go, given the short skin time. Storage life is 12 months from the date of manufacture if stored below 28°C.
Hazard classification
Classified as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7, with the signal word Warning.
- Flammable liquids — Category 4 (combustible).
- Skin irritation — Category 2.
- Skin sensitisation — Category 1.
Selleys does not publish a full composition breakdown for this Pro Trade variant, so the table of ingredients that appears on the consumer wet area silicone pages is not reproduced here rather than guessed at. The classification above is the product's own.
Skin sensitisation is not irritation. Irritation settles once contact stops. Sensitisation is the immune system learning to react to the material: generally permanent once acquired, triggered thereafter by much smaller exposures, and tending to worsen with each contact. It develops from repeated casual contact — which is exactly what tooling a bead with a bare wet finger, job after job, amounts to. Wear gloves and tool through a tool or a gloved finger. Cured sealant is inert; the hazard belongs to the uncured material.
Category 4 flammable is the mildest flammability classification — combustible rather than flammable, meaning it will burn if ignited but does not give off an ignitable vapour at room temperature. Normal care around ignition sources is enough; this is not a solvent adhesive.
As a trade product this one tends to be used in volume, day after day, which is precisely the exposure pattern that causes sensitisation. If you are running beads all day, gloves are a daily control rather than a per-job decision.
Protection
- Eye protection — safety glasses or goggles.
- Gloves — nitrile rubber for intermittent contact.
- Ventilation — use in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash hands after use, and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do, then keep rinsing. If irritation persists, get medical advice. |
| Skin | Wash with soap and water. If irritation develops, get medical advice. |
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. If irritation persists, seek medical advice. |
| Swallowed | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth and seek medical advice. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — with the container to hand. Selleys emergency line: 1800 220 770 in Australia, 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.
Common questions about Selleys Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone
How long do I have to tool the bead?
Tooling time is 5 to 8 minutes, with the skin forming at 4 to 8 minutes. Work one joint at a time.
When is it tack free?
Approximately one hour after application.
How long until it is fully cured?
The cure rate is 10mm in 5 to 7 days, so the total depends on bead depth.
Can I paint over it?
No. It cannot be successfully painted over — finish any painting before applying the sealant.
Will it corrode tapware or a shower screen frame?
No. It is a neutral cure silicone and will not corrode metals. Aluminium and most paint and powder coated surfaces are listed as suitable substrates.
Is it mould resistant?
It contains a fungicide to prevent mould and mildew growth in hot and humid areas. Keeping soap scum and dirt off the bead is what maintains that in service.
Can I use it in a fish tank or a water tank?
No. It is not suitable for aquarium construction and is not recommended for drinking water tanks.
Can I use it on a permanently submerged joint?
No. It is not suitable for submerged joints where porous substrates permit water to reach the bond interface, and the product page states it is not for permanent immersion.
How much movement will it take?
±25%.
What colours and sizes are available?
A 300g cartridge, in clear and white.
How long can I store it?
12 months from the date of manufacture, stored below 28°C.
What are the alternatives in the Pro Trade range?
See Pro Trade All Purpose Silicone for general sealing, Pro Trade Glass Silicone for glazing work, or compare the domestic options across the wet area silicone range.
What type of sealant is Selleys Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
Selleys Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone is a high-quality, 100% neutral cure silicone sealant containing anti-fungicide to prevent mould and mildew growth in hot and humid areas.
What is the joint movement capability of Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone has a joint movement capability of ±25%, which is distinct from its elongation at break.
What is the elongation at break for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone, and how is it measured?
The elongation at break is 400%, measured according to JIS K 6249.
How long is the skin time for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
The skin time is approximately 4–8 minutes at 25°C and 50% relative humidity.
How deep and how long does Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone take to cure?
It cures to a depth of 10 mm in 5–7 days; this is not intended as a universal daily cure rate.
What is the tack-free time for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
The tack-free time is approximately 1 hour, but this does not indicate full cure or return-to-water time.
What is the minimum application temperature for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
The minimum application temperature is 5°C.
What service temperature range can Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone withstand?
It can withstand a service-temperature range of −60°C to 170°C, though this is an indicative technical result and not an approval for any particular heated application.
What is the VOC content of Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone and how was it measured?
The VOC content is 30 g/L, measured using SCAQMD Method 304-91.
Can Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone be painted?
No, it cannot be successfully painted over; any painting must be completed before applying the sealant.
What are the key limitations of Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
It is not suitable for structural glazing or aquarium construction, not recommended for drinking-water tanks, and should not be applied in contact with bituminous materials or some rubbers. The technical data sheet excludes submerged joints where porous substrates permit water to reach the bond interface, and the current product page also advises against permanent immersion.
Does Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone require any pretesting before use?
Yes, adhesion should be pretested on the actual substrates, as some surfaces may require a primer; surfaces must be clean, dry, and contaminant-free, and any primer should be allowed to dry before application.
What is the recommended storage life for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
It has a storage life of 12 months from the date of manufacture when stored below 28°C.
What is the source and version of the technical data for Pro Trade Wet Area Silicone?
The technical data comes from the Selleys Pro-Trade Wet Area Sealant Technical Data Sheet version 1.0, dated 23 July 2020 (pages 1–2), with the current official linked document verified on 5 September 2026.