a method of thickening solvents involves reacting an . tbd . si -- h containing polysiloxane with an alpha , omegadiene ; conducting the reaction in the presence of a platinum catalyst and a solvent ; continuing the reaction until a gel is formed by crosslinking and addition of . tbd . si -- h across double bonds in the alpha , omega - diene ; adding additional solvent and a post cure quenching agent to the gel ; and subjecting the solvent , the post cure quenching agent , and the gel to shear force until a paste is formed .