CLEANING:

Silicone hose is very easy to clean using hot soapy water or rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth. Simply dampen the cloth and wipe down the hose to restore its appearance.

CUTTING:

Silicone hose can be cut to almost any desired length using an appropriately sized liner clamp (We use a Torca EasySeal clamp with the ends cut off to make perfect 3" couplers every time, see below for instructions to make one), a utility or "Snap Off" knife, and a tape measure or ruler. A brand new sharp blade is very important for having a clean cut. Remember to wear protective gloves when cutting hose and always cut with the blade away from yourself, never towards yourself. A little bit of soapy water on the cutting blade will make cutting easier and will keep your blade sharper longer. Be careful though, the hose will be more slippery, be sure you don't cut yourself!

For cutting smaller diameter hoses it is even easier. With just a pair of Gates Hose Cutters you can make a clean cut on silicone hose up to 1-1/2" ID.

Follow these simple steps for a safe, clean and straight cut:

Step 1:

Place the tape measure on one end of the hose and mark at the desired length. A permanent marker works well for this and will clean right off with a little bit of alcohol once you are done.

Step 2:

Place your clamp straight and perpendicular to the centerline of the hose at the cut mark. Make sure that the clamp band is the same distance from the end of the hose at multiple points on the hoses circumference. Tighten the clamp onto the hose.

Step 3:

Double check that the clamp is set at the correct measurement. Insert the point of the blade through the outer wall of the hose using the clamp as a guide. Once you have penetrated through the wall of the hose, slide the blade along the edge of the clamp until you complete the cut. If using just a liner clamp you may need to remove the clamp before finishing the last 1/2" of the cut where the clamping block is.

Step 4:

Enjoy the perfect size silicone hose for your application.

Making the Coupler Template with a Torca EasySeal clamp:

When making 3" silicone couplers it's a lot easier to use the 3" wide Torca EasySeal clamp as a guide to ensure you get matching couplers every time. To make your own you simply need to take a clamp for a larger diameter hose than the one you will be cutting (a slight overlap is needed) and remove the clamping portion. This is easily done with a pair of tin snips.

Once the ends are removed the sharp edges should be filed smooth to protect the hose and your fingers. To secure this piece on the hose simply use an adequately sized liner clamp placed around the center of the band.

The easiest method to make couplers is by placing the hose and clamp face down against a flat surface and cutting the couplers while the hose is vertical in the air. This ensures the clamp won't slip while making the cut.

CLAMPING:

Standard worm gear clamps, serrated clamps, and wire clamps should never be used on silicone hose. Silicone has poor cut growth resistance and can extrude into the gear slots of the clamp as it is being tightened, causing the hose to tear before it has ever been in service.

Heater & Coolant Service:

We recommend the use of Stainless Steel Liner Clamps for Heater Hose and Coolant Hose. Liner clamps provide a true concentric seal for reliable service. The term "liner" comes from the flat stainless band that extends under the worm-gear slots to protect the silicone.

• Initial Clamp Torque: 40 inch pounds
• Re-Torque (if needed): 20 inch pounds
• Bead Specification: MS-33660 or SAE J962

Forced Induction & Intake Service:

We recommend the use of Stainless Steel T-Bolt Clamps for larger diameter silicone couplers, humps, elbows and charged air cooler hose. T-Bolt clamps offer higher strength, durability and corrosion resistance than traditional worm-gear and liner clamps while featuring a 3/4" bandwidth for added security. This makes them the ideal choice for the medium and heavy-duty applications often found in turbocharged setups.

• Clamp Torque: 75 inch pounds
• Constant torque T-bolt clamps will help to retain clamp load and eliminate the need for re-torquing.