How to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet

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Silicone bracelets are a fun way to support a cause, show off your favorite logos, or just add a pop of color to your look. They’re often mass-produced and come in only a few sizes. If you have a smaller wrist but still want to wear your favorite colorful band, there are a couple of things you can do to shrink it down. Be careful not to make it too small because you’ll still need to stretch it over your hand to put it on.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Boiling the Bracelet

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  1. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the bracelet once you put it in. Set the stove to high and wait until the water is at a rolling boil. [1]
    • It doesn't matter what kind of saucepan you use, as long as there's enough water in it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Use tongs to put the bracelet in the water and count to 10 or 15. If the bracelet is way too big on your wrist, it won’t hurt to leave it in for 20 seconds. [2]
    • The longer you leave the bracelet in the water, the more it will shrink.
    • Say “Mississippi” between each number so you’re counting as close to real seconds as possible.
    • Don’t drop the bracelet into the pot because boiling water could splash up and burn your hand.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Lift the bracelet out of the water and place it on a paper towel or rag to dry. Squeeze it with a thick towel to get rid of excess moisture so it can dry and cool off faster. [3]
    • Pour the water down the sink and wash the saucepan really well before you use it for anything else.
  4. Once the bracelet's cool to the touch, put it on to see if you like how it fits. If it's still too loose, boil it for another 5 minutes, let it dry, and try it again. [4]
    • Keep boiling and drying it until it’s the right size.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    If the bracelet ends up shrinking too much, stretch it with your hands or loop it on something sturdier (like a doorknob) and stretch it. Silicone is pretty strong, so don’t worry about breaking it. [5]
    • The boiling water doesn’t make the band weaker because silicone is heat-resistant, and it can keep its structure in temperatures as high as 446°F (230°C)!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cutting and Gluing the Bracelet Back Together

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Wrap a flexible tape measure around your wrist and write down the value in inches or centimeters. Add about 1 inch (2.5 cm) to that number to find how long your bracelet should be. [6]
    • For example, if your wrist is 6.5 inches (17 cm) around, the ideal bracelet size is 7.5 inches (19 cm).
    • If you want a snug fit, only add 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) to the size of your wrist. Just remember that you'll need to be able to pull it over your hand to put it on.
    • Adding an extra inch to your wrist size ensures the bracelet will be loose enough to put on and take off.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Pick a discreet place to cut the band so you won't notice a break in the design once you put it back together. Snip the band in half with a sharp pair of scissors. Make the cut as even as you can so there are no jagged edges or curves in the cut. That’ll make it easier to bond it back together. [7]
    • Avoid using a pocket knife or dull scissors you use for everyday purposes. Sharp scissors made for cutting hair, fabric, or craft materials are a good choice.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Lay both pieces side by side on top of a piece of paper. Make a small mark on the paper where the inch-value of your wrist is. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to that and make a second mark on the paper—that’s where you’ll need to cut the bracelet. [8]
    • If you’re worried about the bracelet being too tight, only add 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) or 3 ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm) to the measurement.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Now that you know how long the bracelet should be, grab the bracelet and position your finger on that point so you know where to cut. Put the blade of the scissors right next to your fingernail marking the point and snip off the excess material. [9]
    • Make it a single, clean-cut so you won't have to deal with gluing a curved or jagged edge.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Squeeze the tube to apply a thin strip of rubber cement to the cut edge of the bracelet. Use a glue that has a very fine applicator tip so you won't end up with globs of dried glue on your bracelet. [10]
    • If you only have rubber cement with a brush applicator, use a very fine paintbrush to apply the cement instead.
    • Don't use epoxies, school glue, or glues intended for paper because they won't work well (or at all) on silicone rubber.
    • Clear Super Glue, PASCOFix, Sil-Poxy or Elmer's Rubber Cement are all good choices for silicone bracelets.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Shrink a Silicone Bracelet
    Carefully align the snipped edges and push them together for a good 2 minutes. The idea is to set the glue without letting any pockets of air get between the 2 edges of the bracelet. That way, it stays together longer.
    • It's okay if you see glue squeeze out from between the pieces—it’ll dry clear.
  7. Place the bracelet in a warm, well-lit area and wait for it to dry completely before you try to put it on. A windowsill is a good spot to put it because the more heat and light it gets, the faster it will dry and the sooner you'll get to wear your custom-fitted bracelet.
    • The glue may feel dry but leave it alone—it won't reach its full strength for at least 24 hours after the application.
    • To speed up the drying time, hit it with some hot air from a hairdryer for 1 or 2 minutes.
  8. The cut and glued bracelet will be more prone to break if you overstretch it, so slide it onto your hand extra carefully. When you take it off, cup your hand so you won’t have to stretch the band too much to get it over your palm and fingers. [11]
    • The bracelet is waterproof, but you should take it off before swimming or bathing because too much moisture can weaken some types of rubber glue over time.
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      Tips

      • If you accidentally get rubber cement on your fingers, wipe them with a cotton pad doused with nail polish remover. Wash and moisturize your hands afterward because nail polish remover dries out your skin. [12]
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      • Keep your bracelet clean by washing it with a toothbrush and soapy water. [13]
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      Warnings

      • Avoid epoxy adhesives because they won’t work well with silicone rubber. [14]
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      • Rubber cement is toxic, so keep the tube or bottle stored on a high shelf or some other place where children and pets can’t get to it. [15]
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      Things You'll Need

      Boiling the Bracelet

      • Pot
      • Water
      • Stove
      • Paper towel
      • Timer

      Cutting and Gluing the Bracelet Back Together

      • Measuring Tape
      • Scissors
      • Rubber cement (or glue that’s compatible with silicone rubber)
      • Pencil
      • Paper
      • Fine-point paintbrush (optional)
      • Hairdryer (optional)

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about making jewelry, check out our in-depth interview with Cory Schifter .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/us/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      2. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/us/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      3. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/us/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      4. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/us/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      5. ↑ https://www.nes-ips.com/is-silicone-heat-resistant/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/PyxtfyVbWwQ?t=132
      7. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/eu/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      8. ↑ https://www.handband.com.au/eu/blog/how-to-shrink-silicone-bracelet-to-fit-wrist/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/Gn1pqAuZFrM?t=6
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/zPa2pxaupQM?t=94
      2. ↑ https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5979466?reload=true&arnumber=5979466
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/cSecPYkjshY?t=22
      4. ↑ https://www.gs-jj.com/blog/custom-silicone-wristbands/
      5. ↑ https://knowhow.napaonline.com/use-epoxy-vs-super-glue-adhesives/
      6. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002820.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The easiest way to shrink a silicone bracelet is to boil it. Fill a pot with 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Then, carefully place the bracelet in the boiling water and leave it for 10-20 seconds. The longer you boil it for, the more it will shrink. Remove the bracelet with tongs and let it dry completely. Finally, try on your bracelet. If it's still too loose, repeat the process until it's tight enough. To learn how to cut and glue a silicone bracelet back together to make it smaller, scroll down!

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