Frequently asked questions about making Silicade
1.
Can I use RO, distilled water instead
of tap water to make Silicade?
Yes you can. However, these waters
do not have minerals so you should add calcium and magnesium. Directions for this at the end of the recipe.
2.
Can I heat the sodium silicate
solution to boiling stovetop instead of using a microwave?
Yes. You can use a small stainless
steel/glass pan and boil the solution stovetop.
3.
Do I have to use a Brita filter in
the recipe or can use the filter I already own?
You must use the Brita filter. The
Brita filter removes more than 90% of aluminum, lead and mercury but does not
remove the OSA (which is the form of silica in Silicade). Some water filters
made by other manufacturers add aluminum to the water. Some filters remove OSA.
4.
I am using RO water do I still need
to use a Brita filter?
Yes. There are impurities in the ingredients and the Brita will remove
these impurities.
5.
My water tastes funny?
Check the pH of the Silicade you made.
Everyone’s taste buds are different.
You want the water to be between 6.5 to 8.5. At the lower end water is acidic and at the
upper end the water is basic. Adjust the
pH with the baking soda for your taste.
6.
I see crystals after I boil the sodium
silicate solution, should I boil longer?
No. What you are seeing is 0.5%
water insoluble impurities in the sodium silicate.
7.
Can I use another vendor/manufacture
for purchasing the sodium silicate?
No. Many other forms of sodium
silicate from other vendors have been tested and do not have the required
amount of OSA to make the recipe.
8. I cannot get the ingredients in my country ?
Here is a company which gives you an address in the US. https://www.myus.com/
9.
Can I make a concentrated form of Silicade ?
No. OSA over 200 ppm
is unstable. resulting in polymeric OSA.
10.
Can I use metasilicate instead of
sodium silicate? No. Metailicate is a polymere of silica which can
not be readily converted into OSA.
11. Can I store Silicade and for how long? Yes. Don’t store in direct sunlight. Silicade is
stable for more than a month and is probably stable much longer.
12. Can I double the recipe?
Yes.
