Don’t do this in the shower...

[DMPortland]

A while back I read a post here about using a dab of silicon to help secure suction-cup hangers to the fiberglass shower walls. I used about a 1/4+“ dab of silicon on each suction cup. Seemed like a great idea to keep the suction cups from constantly falling off. This worked for a few months until the trailer interior temperature reached 99 degrees.

I went out there one evening last week and the suction cups were on the floor with this gooey mess of partially cured silicon hanging and sort of dripping down the walls. Nothing some caulking remover couldn’t clean up - but after cleaning up the silicon it stained the white fiberglass a bit yellow where the suction cups were.

First, I was surprised that our Escape parked under cover completely in the shade with open ends and with open windows/vents could get this hot in Portland, Oregon. And second, my theory is that the GE silicon, which I think air cures, never cured and some weird chemical reaction occurred between the uncured silicon, suction cup, and gelcoat that resulted in some staining. Now to try those 3M Command hooks.

[NCBill]

Wow, I was going to do the same thing THIS week. Thanks for the warning!

[Jake930]

WOW! I did do the same thing! Idea from the same post. Guess what? Got the same results as you. Lol. Oh well live and learn. Lol

[gbaglo]

Tired of picking up my suction cup bath basket and with my continuing satisfaction with 3M Command hooks, I bought this 3M Command basket this morning. Got it at Home Depot.

[jrb1947]

The 3M Command Strips have held in the shower and elsewhere for well over a year. I even used about half a dozen strips to hold a paper towel holder under the overhead cabinets just above the kitchen sink. The tabs that you pull to release the strips stick out the back and are not visible without some bodily contortion.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Tired of picking up my suction cup bath basket and with my continuing satisfaction with 3M Command hooks, I bought this 3M Command basket this morning. Got it at Home Depot.

I have had a similar Command Hook basket hanging in my trailer's bathroom for a couple of years now, at least. It's still there.

[Pupfish]

We're in Texas and have a couple of suction cup baskets in the shower. Just wetted them and they have held. I can, and have, pushed them to adjust their position with out any problem. If I wanted to "ensure" they stayed in place I would have tried vaseline, rather than a curable silicon. I have had a lot of success using vaseline as a sealant in numerous situations.

[SFDavis50]

Originally Posted by Pupfish

f I wanted to "ensure" they stayed in place I would have tried vaseline, rather than a curable silicon. I have had a lot of success using vaseline as a sealant in numerous situations.

Great tip on using vaseline!!!

[Donna D.]

Once again, substantiates my claim SILICONE should never be used on an all-molded-towable! I never considered the damage would be done when used on the inside, only the outside. But now I know.... no, no, no never on gelcoat... anywhere. Sorry you found it out Dale. I'm filing this under "Lessons Learned."

[NW Cat Owner]

I use Command hooks for wash cloths and the squeege. I use heavy duty double back velcro on the suction parts of my towel rack and toilet paper holder (both from Ikea). I do take the towels and TP off when traveling. All have stayed up just fine. The towel/TP holders used to come down before I used the velcro. I don't know if I could leave the towels up, but I'm in the habit of taking them down and putting them on bed, so I continue doing so. I also use the velcro on the shampoo dispenser you can see in the mirror.