# Should you re-silicone all your new yo-yos? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [June 23, 2019, 5:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400 "2019-06-23T05:57:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/62 "2019-06-30T05:32:35Z")
The thing that sucks most about this whole thing is I fear I’ve lost a bunch of respect from Coding (if I even had any in the first place). And that really freaking sucks cause I think Coding is awesome ☹ ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:36am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/63 "2019-06-30T05:36:27Z")
Oh no not at all, I was just worried a bunch of newbies would read what you wrote and be like “yeah! you gotta re-silicone all your yo-yos otherwise they won’t bind right!” and … there would be mass carnage. I’ve seen this carnage myself and it is noootttt goooddd. There is a _very good reason_ we ended up with silicone stickers as the norm in this industry, and not bare friction (ala classic wood yo-yos), starburst, or manual flowable… ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/64 "2019-06-30T05:42:50Z")
Thanks for the reply and that’s a relief cause I really do look up to you. I think I probably have come across as pushy here in trying to advocate for using silicone for all throws…but honestly, I’m not trying to push anyone into one thing or another here. I’m ALL for people doing what works for them. I should’ve stated before too…that the advice I got was NOT to silicone all of my throws, but to try silicone on just the yo I was asking about (my K’Edge). I’m the one who decided to silicone some of my other throws. Anyhow, thanks for the reply Coding. Hope you have a good weekend! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/65 "2019-06-30T05:45:04Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > There is a _very good reason_ we ended up with silicone stickers as the norm in this industry, and not bare friction (ala classic wood yo-yos), starburst, or manual flowable… All those yoyos from the factory had to be manually siliconed, stickers are much easier and more precise to apply. The yoyo manufacturers also get to sell replacement stickers. My guess is this has a lot more to do with yoyo makers making sticker friendly yoyos than the yoyos being inherently better with stickers. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/66 "2019-06-30T05:49:23Z")
> [@vegabomb](#): > > My guess is this has a lot more to do with yoyo makers making sticker friendly yoyos than the yoyos being inherently better with stickers. Well, with stickers it’s applied perfectly right (perfectly flat, perfect height) every time, and immediately, as soon as you put it in. No drying, no cleanup, no mess, no bubbles / errors, and **dramatically more durable** than manual flowabale silicone. I’d say it’s completely superior in every possible way! (It’s actually kinda hard to mess up silicone response stickers, to be honest? I guess all you could really do wrong is have a super gunked up response well, not clean it at all, and then the adhesive won’t take properly?) ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 5:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/67 "2019-06-30T05:52:07Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > I’d say it’s completely superior in every possible way! Well I think you said earlier that you had trouble applying silicone so that slants that view a bit. > [@codinghorror](#): > > **dramatically more durable** than manual flowabale silicone. I completely disagree with this. Properly applied silicone lasts a very long time. Either way, I still think the reason for pads is both financial and efficiency based. ---
**Author:** ![nothingfaced](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nothingfaced/32/50156_2.png) [@nothingfaced](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/nothingfaced)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/68 "2019-06-30T06:06:06Z")
If it has CLYW snow tyres or equivalent then I silicone it. Recessed silicone has a softer, more pliable response that I greatly prefer over pads. I’ve been siliconing yoyos for years and have its application down I guess. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/69 "2019-06-30T06:17:19Z")
Time yourself. Go ahead: - Install silicone stickers, and time how long that takes. - Install flowable silicone, and time how long that takes. I’ll be super generous and say you don’t need to include curing time in the results. It’s a ton more work for negligible benefit – and often _negative_ benefit. > [@vegabomb](#): > > Properly applied silicone lasts a very long time. Others don’t seem to share this viewpoint: > [@Nocompromise](#): > > I have found that silicone rips out easier and wears quicker as well. I mean considering part of the reason we started this conversation is: > [@Popular yo-yo that you just couldn't get into?](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/popular-yo-yo-that-you-just-couldnt-get-into/296295/234): > > Half the yo no longer had silicone…just an empty gap. \>.\<’ No idea how the silicone disappeared? Hasn’t happened on any other throw yet that I’ve siliconed. haha _/DOH_ ! … which is exactly what’s described, “rips out easier.” It ripped out! It is easy to mess up manual silicone. Heck even if you don’t mess up, it’s simply a manual process by its very nature; there’s more that is variable and can go wrong, even if you get it “perfect”. But it is _virtually impossible_ to mess up silicone response stickers. You get instant **perfectly flat, perfectly adhered, totally consistent** silicone response, in under 60 seconds, every single time. That’s awesome. Don’t misunderstand, I am totally supportive of manual silicone when you _have_ to do it, when there’s no standard silicone sticker that fits, or your financial situation is so dire that $5 for silicone response stickers is out of the question. But again: > There is a _very good reason_ we ended up with [standardized] silicone stickers as the norm in this industry, and not bare friction (ala classic wood yo-yos), starburst, or manual flowable… ---
**Author:** ![vegabomb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/vegabomb/32/199_2.png) [@vegabomb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/vegabomb)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/70 "2019-06-30T06:24:14Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > There is a _very good reason_ we ended up with [standardized] silicone stickers as the norm in this industry, and not bare friction (ala classic wood yo-yos), starburst, or manual flowable… Yes, it’s the reason I stated a few posts ago. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/71 "2019-06-30T06:25:17Z")
I don’t get why you’ve got such a strong desire to prove everyone wrong on this Coding :(. Do you honestly believe that just because you don’t like it, that it hasn’t worked out for you…that EVERYONE needs to dislike it too? I feel like you’re being very closed minded on this, and I simply don’t get why. People prefer different things. Somethings work great for 1 person, and horrible for another. Doesn’t mean either of them is right or wrong…it just means things can differ from one person to another. I don’t even get why this argument has to exist. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/72 "2019-06-30T06:28:55Z")
Yes, because silicone stickers are - more reliable - more consistent - more durable - less variable - cheaper (factoring for human or even machine labor) There’s literally no downside. I mean, sure, you _can_ fabricate all your own clothing, you can grow all your own food, etc etc etc etc etc. I’m not saying you shouldn’t, _if you want to_. It’s just a lot more work. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/73 "2019-06-30T06:33:36Z")
Why make such a big deal about it though? You come across as being very bull headed on this. Why do you care so deeply if some people are willing to put a little effort into moding their throws in ways THAT MAKE THEM HAPPY. It’s not like we’re making our yos perform worse for us…people keep telling you over and over that they prefer the silicone over the respone systems that came wth the throws…but it’s like you completely ignore that fact and keep going on and on about how much worse we’re making our yos. Look…i get it. You don’t like silicone. It hasn’t worked out for you. That’s fine man. I’m not trying to convince you that silicone is better FOR YOU. It works for me though, I’m fully willing to put in the little effort and time, and I’m happy with the results. Why are you so damned determined to call me out for this? ☹ ☹ You do you…but why shouldn’t I be able to do what makes me happy, without you trying to make me feel like an idiot for it? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/74 "2019-06-30T06:38:03Z")
Like I said, you can do whatever you want! I am just a big proponent of laziness, particularly when the lazy way is more repeatable, more consistent, more reliable, more durable, etc. If your goal is hand-injected quirkiness, go for it! The yo-yo police aren’t gonna show up at your house or anything. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/75 "2019-06-30T06:39:39Z")
I really don’t know why I’m letting myself get so frustrated with you being so hyper critical on this. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/76 "2019-06-30T06:40:25Z")
No, not at all. I said the lazy way was easier. So you’re working harder. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/77 "2019-06-30T06:40:55Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > No, not at all. I said the lazy way was easier. Yeah, sorry about that. I misread your comment cause I’m a dumb-dumb. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/78 "2019-06-30T06:42:19Z")
This isn’t about _you_ at all though. This is about manual silicone versus silicone stickers. And I agree there are some scenarios where manual can make sense, so it’s not like I’m against it as a thing that should not exist in the world. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/79 "2019-06-30T06:43:34Z")
I’m having a hard time not taking this a bit personal like I’m being called out and like someone’s trying to make me out to be a fool. It all started when you decided to make this it’s own thread \>.\<’ ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/80 "2019-06-30T06:47:40Z")
Well, that’s not my intent. I find the _topic_ interesting. People should do whatever they want with their yo-yos. Heck … fold, spindle and mutilate them. And for the record, I have actually replaced stickers with flowable once on a new yo-yo, because I had to – the stickers were _hugely_ recessed, and no known stickers I could find would fit flush. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/1/3/8/138f886f181a4f4d606bdf0994c5324b9ed7ce58.jpeg) So if you want to ‘customize’ the response of a yo-yo, that’s a reasonable thing to look to flowable for, you could really pile up the silicone to make the response more aggressive or recess it heavily to make the response less aggressive. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 6:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400/81 "2019-06-30T06:53:36Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > Well, that’s not my intent. I find the _topic_ interesting. People should do whatever they want with their yo-yos. Heck … fold, spindle and mutilate them. Defiantly respect on you this! And I fully agree. And I think it’s good to experiment with different things so that you can learn your own way on what works for you personally and what doesn’t. > [@codinghorror](#): > > So if you want to ‘customize’ the response of a yo-yo, that’s a reasonable thing to look to flowable for, you could really pile up the silicone to make the response more aggressive or recess it heavily to make the response less aggressive. I’m thinking of just starting to dunk all my yos in a bucket full of flowable silicone and really getting a good thick layer of the stuff on them. Do you think this would be a good idea? 😛 lol Sorry I’m being so critical of you myself here Coding. haha I can be pretty stubborn and hard headed at times. Plus I’ve been super tired and groggy all day and really shouldn’t be posting in this state! p I still have nothing but respect for you. I love computer coders…was a major dream of mine as a teen (before reality kicked in and I realized I simply don’t have the brain for such things /sad)…and I love what you’ve done for the yoing community. In my mind you’re just a super intelligent, super cool guy. _/bro love_ [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400.md?page=3) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/should-you-re-silicone-all-your-new-yo-yos/304400.md?page=5)