09-09-2010, 08:30
Help! Silicone rim split from dome!
February 2 2009 at 4:18 AM roakie (Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't believe it. I am just thirteen weeks in. I put the domes on tonight and I couldn't get a seal on the right side. Suddenly I felt goo and noticed that the rim had split away from the outside of the dome on the upper part near my armpit. I am so disturbed! Brava only warranties the domes for 30 days, don't they? I can't imagine what I have done other than to hold the rim next to my armpit to get a seal when I put them on.
My husband just put duct tape all over the top on the side and it is holding for now. He said we can go to Home Depot tomorrow and get some silicone caulk and it might work.
Is there any way you think Brava will replace them? Anyone had this problem?
Author Reply
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 2 2009, 6:33 PM
I just called Brava customer service. They acted like they had never heard of this problem! They said I must have ripped the domes off my chest. I said I have been extremely careful, wait until the domes loosen after I release the tubing, and that I never let the rims roll under. Then she proceeded to say that most women can expect to replace their domes during the first cycle. I said "What???" You mean that the initial system costs $900 and then I should expect to pay another $250 the first cycle even if I haven't grown out of them? Why don't you write that on the website?"
She had nothing much to say except that I need to order new ones. If most women have to order new ones, what is the reason?????
I have latex rubber like suggested in an earlier post. Should I try that? Just squeeze it in the hole? I have duct tape on them now but they are marginal.
Should I knuckle under and buy new ones?
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CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 2 2009, 8:23 PM
Hi Roakie,
I'm so sorry to hear about this. This is hard enough without dealing with broken equipment. I count down the days untill I finish!
I would try to use the ones you are wearing. I was afraid this might happen to mine and I asked my boyfriend if he thought it was fixable. He said he would use silicone to fix it and it would be even stronger than before so I wouldn't have to worry that this would happen again at the same place. He is really good in fixing things so he knows what he is saying. We have silicone in our house and I have permission to wake him up if this ever happens to me!
Good luck!!!
Rose
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roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 1:34 AM
I filled it with liquid latex and I am going to see how it holds up tonight. It seems dry so we'll see what happens!
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dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 5:18 AM
oh i wish i had read this post earlier the liquid latex did not work for me!
but perhaps its because i put too much of it in where the silicone started to break down...
either way the latex dries up to be rubbery and does not stick to the silicone so it made my problem worse...
i ended up getting new domes I've got them 3 days ago.
off my wrecked brava domes im thinking of just ripping the silicone all off together and using a yoga mat foam instead as a cushion - i havent done this because i think that without the silicone rims the domes are too large (i have wide-large , i think this would work well with narrow domes though)
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roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 5:59 AM
Hi, Dandelion and Cousin Rose!
Somehow the liquid latex seems to be filling the gap, at least for tonight. Actually, upon examination, I found that the silicone rim had not ripped all the way through. I got a q-tip and dabbed the liquid latex all into the gash (which is about 1/4" deep and half an inch long. I then made sure it touched up onto the dome as well. It seems to be holding quite well. I think I might put another coat on it tomorrow and let it spread out even more. If it ends up breaking down, I might try the silicone caulk. The worst part is the rip is right near my armpit, where I tend to push into the rim to make sure it seals on the side. There just seems no way other than to press there. If I don't, the hollow of my armpit makes a big gap that won't seal.
I know I will need to buy new domes. I am just trying to stall. I think I can get a bit more time out of these but since I plan to do about 20 more weeks, at least, I know these won't last that long.
It sure would be nice if Brava would give us a discount on new domes. They make so much money off this system.
Dandelion, what did you pay for your new ones? Were you able to use the old ones while waiting? How long did it take for Brava to ship them once you ordered?
This message has been edited by roakie on Feb 3, 2009 6:03 AM
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roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 9:06 PM
Just want to confirm that the latex rubber has done the trick. It held very nicely last night and seems to bend and stretch easily when I manipulate the rims.
It's good to know that if we catch problems early we might be able to get additional life out of our precious, expensive domes!
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dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 4 2009, 4:59 AM
perhaps we both had different kinds of rubber latex? can you tell me the brand you have?
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roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 4 2009, 5:41 AM
Hi, Dandelion,
I have Ben Nye liquid latex that I bought at a costume store. It is supposed to be for masks, etc.
I have the flesh-colored. Now I see from the following website that they also have clear, which would have looked a bit nicer.
http://stageandtheatermakeup.com/effects.htm
Anyway, I gently poked it in the split and made sure it was down in there. Then I sort of opened the split and put some more in with a small spoon. I also made sure that it came up around the edge of the rim. I am going to keep my eye on it and keep going over it with more if need be.
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 5 2009, 3:06 AM
Update - the latex came off in a chunk, just like you said. So, my husband went out and bought silicone caulk (exterior window and door) from Home Depot. He put it all over the rip and it has set nice and hard, but still flexible. Seems to be working great and seems much more solid than the latex.
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dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 5 2009, 4:30 AM
i have silicone gaulk as well. I tried coating the rims of noogleberry domes with it but it doesnt dry smoothly and its kinda hard so it actually made it more painful
i can see how it would be good to help create a seal if theres a rip but i wouldnt suggest filling in the gaps of where the silicone is deteriorating with it.
i hope it works out!
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dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 6 2009, 7:16 AM
roakie - do you use the airlock?
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roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 7 2009, 3:16 AM
No, I don't use the airlock. I use the smartbox regularly. Some mornings, I will detach the smartbox when I wake up and then suck out as much air as possible for a manual airlock, but I usually cannot suck out much. The smartbox actually seems to keep everything really tight. The one time the airlock is useful is when I have really been sweating at night. Then, in the morning, I move and the domes detach and I am so sweaty I have to wipe my skin under the rims, especially around the armpits. At that point, I take the smartbox off and use the airlock for the last several hours.
By the way, the silicone caulk is holding nice and tight.
Edit Message Delete Message
CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 7 2009, 11:10 AM
I am so glad that you could use the silicone and don't have to buy another set of domes while they still fit you. My silicone is patiently waiting for me in the closet if this will happen. For such an expensive device I am shocked to hear that the woman actually said that a pair of domes only lasts one cycle!!
February 2 2009 at 4:18 AM roakie (Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't believe it. I am just thirteen weeks in. I put the domes on tonight and I couldn't get a seal on the right side. Suddenly I felt goo and noticed that the rim had split away from the outside of the dome on the upper part near my armpit. I am so disturbed! Brava only warranties the domes for 30 days, don't they? I can't imagine what I have done other than to hold the rim next to my armpit to get a seal when I put them on.
My husband just put duct tape all over the top on the side and it is holding for now. He said we can go to Home Depot tomorrow and get some silicone caulk and it might work.
Is there any way you think Brava will replace them? Anyone had this problem?
Author Reply
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 2 2009, 6:33 PM
I just called Brava customer service. They acted like they had never heard of this problem! They said I must have ripped the domes off my chest. I said I have been extremely careful, wait until the domes loosen after I release the tubing, and that I never let the rims roll under. Then she proceeded to say that most women can expect to replace their domes during the first cycle. I said "What???" You mean that the initial system costs $900 and then I should expect to pay another $250 the first cycle even if I haven't grown out of them? Why don't you write that on the website?"
She had nothing much to say except that I need to order new ones. If most women have to order new ones, what is the reason?????
I have latex rubber like suggested in an earlier post. Should I try that? Just squeeze it in the hole? I have duct tape on them now but they are marginal.
Should I knuckle under and buy new ones?
Edit Message Delete Message
CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 2 2009, 8:23 PM
Hi Roakie,
I'm so sorry to hear about this. This is hard enough without dealing with broken equipment. I count down the days untill I finish!
I would try to use the ones you are wearing. I was afraid this might happen to mine and I asked my boyfriend if he thought it was fixable. He said he would use silicone to fix it and it would be even stronger than before so I wouldn't have to worry that this would happen again at the same place. He is really good in fixing things so he knows what he is saying. We have silicone in our house and I have permission to wake him up if this ever happens to me!
Good luck!!!
Rose
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 1:34 AM
I filled it with liquid latex and I am going to see how it holds up tonight. It seems dry so we'll see what happens!
Edit Message Delete Message
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 5:18 AM
oh i wish i had read this post earlier the liquid latex did not work for me!
but perhaps its because i put too much of it in where the silicone started to break down...
either way the latex dries up to be rubbery and does not stick to the silicone so it made my problem worse...
i ended up getting new domes I've got them 3 days ago.
off my wrecked brava domes im thinking of just ripping the silicone all off together and using a yoga mat foam instead as a cushion - i havent done this because i think that without the silicone rims the domes are too large (i have wide-large , i think this would work well with narrow domes though)
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 5:59 AM
Hi, Dandelion and Cousin Rose!
Somehow the liquid latex seems to be filling the gap, at least for tonight. Actually, upon examination, I found that the silicone rim had not ripped all the way through. I got a q-tip and dabbed the liquid latex all into the gash (which is about 1/4" deep and half an inch long. I then made sure it touched up onto the dome as well. It seems to be holding quite well. I think I might put another coat on it tomorrow and let it spread out even more. If it ends up breaking down, I might try the silicone caulk. The worst part is the rip is right near my armpit, where I tend to push into the rim to make sure it seals on the side. There just seems no way other than to press there. If I don't, the hollow of my armpit makes a big gap that won't seal.
I know I will need to buy new domes. I am just trying to stall. I think I can get a bit more time out of these but since I plan to do about 20 more weeks, at least, I know these won't last that long.
It sure would be nice if Brava would give us a discount on new domes. They make so much money off this system.
Dandelion, what did you pay for your new ones? Were you able to use the old ones while waiting? How long did it take for Brava to ship them once you ordered?
This message has been edited by roakie on Feb 3, 2009 6:03 AM
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 3 2009, 9:06 PM
Just want to confirm that the latex rubber has done the trick. It held very nicely last night and seems to bend and stretch easily when I manipulate the rims.
It's good to know that if we catch problems early we might be able to get additional life out of our precious, expensive domes!
Edit Message Delete Message
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 4 2009, 4:59 AM
perhaps we both had different kinds of rubber latex? can you tell me the brand you have?
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 4 2009, 5:41 AM
Hi, Dandelion,
I have Ben Nye liquid latex that I bought at a costume store. It is supposed to be for masks, etc.
I have the flesh-colored. Now I see from the following website that they also have clear, which would have looked a bit nicer.
http://stageandtheatermakeup.com/effects.htm
Anyway, I gently poked it in the split and made sure it was down in there. Then I sort of opened the split and put some more in with a small spoon. I also made sure that it came up around the edge of the rim. I am going to keep my eye on it and keep going over it with more if need be.
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 5 2009, 3:06 AM
Update - the latex came off in a chunk, just like you said. So, my husband went out and bought silicone caulk (exterior window and door) from Home Depot. He put it all over the rip and it has set nice and hard, but still flexible. Seems to be working great and seems much more solid than the latex.
Edit Message Delete Message
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 5 2009, 4:30 AM
i have silicone gaulk as well. I tried coating the rims of noogleberry domes with it but it doesnt dry smoothly and its kinda hard so it actually made it more painful
i can see how it would be good to help create a seal if theres a rip but i wouldnt suggest filling in the gaps of where the silicone is deteriorating with it.
i hope it works out!
Edit Message Delete Message
dandelion
(Login dandelion1) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 6 2009, 7:16 AM
roakie - do you use the airlock?
Edit Message Delete Message
roakie
(Login roakie)
SENIOR MEMBER Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 7 2009, 3:16 AM
No, I don't use the airlock. I use the smartbox regularly. Some mornings, I will detach the smartbox when I wake up and then suck out as much air as possible for a manual airlock, but I usually cannot suck out much. The smartbox actually seems to keep everything really tight. The one time the airlock is useful is when I have really been sweating at night. Then, in the morning, I move and the domes detach and I am so sweaty I have to wipe my skin under the rims, especially around the armpits. At that point, I take the smartbox off and use the airlock for the last several hours.
By the way, the silicone caulk is holding nice and tight.
Edit Message Delete Message
CousinRose
(Login CousinRose) Re: Help! Silicone rim split from dome! February 7 2009, 11:10 AM
I am so glad that you could use the silicone and don't have to buy another set of domes while they still fit you. My silicone is patiently waiting for me in the closet if this will happen. For such an expensive device I am shocked to hear that the woman actually said that a pair of domes only lasts one cycle!!