UPDATE: Need some caulking tips and tricks
There are two jobs I just can't get the hang of: drywall mudding and caulking.
I have to re-caulk the bathtub in the 2nd bathroom. Between the tub and the tile. I did it not too long ago and the result was awful. So I'm doing it again.
But...I need some tips on how to do it well because I don't want to do this a 3rd time.
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Hire someone.
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I use a Ryobi 20V caulk gun.Now it looks like I know what I am doing.
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Spit in your hand, or cup of water.
Don't try to put on a full thick bead of caulk, you'll just smear it into a mess.
Thin bead just enough to fill the crevice. Either dip your finger in the spit in your hand or the cup of water and with the tip of your finger wet lightly smooth out the bead. Use your finger tip as the width guide. Narrow crack-just tip of finger. Wider the bead of caulk more of the pad of your finger is used. You can add caulk as needed, fill in smooth out. Wet finger.
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Cut out all the old caulk, Siliconized caulk, cut your tip on a 45 angle keep wetting your finger
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Put caulk in crack wipe with a wet sponge. Rinse
the sponge and keep it clean.
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Push the tip rather than pull it.
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suggestion go to you tube watch a few how too videos one will be right for you from using the fancy tips that have different angles or tape out line and peal off like painting alos a good caulk gun helps it keep even pressuer also being smooth and using your finger to even it out find what works best for you . that is my old school way
like a lot of professionals I worked around glass installer many years ago I also ask questions from ever skilled trade worker I got to spend time with of course it look easy, but they did it every day same with spackles doing dry wall scoop out some than slap on th edry wall make a pss with the knife and done normaly two passes one to get it 90% the second to get the finishe layer .. made it look so easy LOL
my wife some years back use to give me a hard time over some of my caulking , then she tried one day , 🙄 and I said not that easy is it .
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I'm curious.......
Silicone caulking or mortar type caulking......around the bathtub edge?
I ask, as I need to reattach the soap dish/holder.......short/embarrassing story.
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I've used one of these little gadgets for years. Keep it clean and if using a latex based caulk slightly damp.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homax-2-Pack-Caulk-Finishing-Tools/1000420147
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dunbarboyz: 30000402460955/comments/30000407267227
Put caulk in crack wipe with a wet sponge. Rinse
the sponge and keep it clean.
Ding, ding, ding. The right answer and the easiest way. I use to use a credit card to smooth the caulk, but it did an okay job. I just redid one of our rentals. I hired a guy to help me. Professional builder. He showed me the trick of using a wet sponge. Dip the sponge in a bucket, rinse it out and smooth the caulk. I used a five gallon bucket and a tile floor sponge. I was shocked at how great it looked. Like I actually knew what I was doing. Try it Kevin and I bet you will be surprised.
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Oakie: 30000402460955/comments/30000424832027
https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11420458#Comment_11420458
Ding, ding, ding. The right answer and the easiest way. I use to use a credit card to smooth the caulk, but it did an okay job. I just redid one of our rentals. I hired a guy to help me. Professional builder. He showed me the trick of using a wet sponge. Dip the sponge in a bucket, rinse it out and smooth the caulk. I used a five gallon bucket and a tile floor sponge. I was shocked at how great it looked. Like I actually knew what I was doing. Try it Kevin and I bet you will be surprised.
In another life I was a professional painter. Did my apprenticeship right out of high school. Got side tracked and drove a bus for forty years.
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The wet sponge seems the way to go. Nice and simple, just like me.
I'll give that a try. Thanks everyone!
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First off, don't use silicone only use acrylic latex w/silicone because it's water soluble utill cured.
Go to Home Depot or equivalent and buy one of those caulking squeegee kits that have different shapes .
Make sure to dig out all the old caulking first.
PS, if you have already used silicone ................ good luck.
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Damp sponge trick....
P R O!! professional result!
Thanks again!
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Well yeah, that's one way,,,
you didn't say you wanted pro results,,,
Glad you got it.
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I knew the very best method for pro caulking but since you already finished the job......
Never mind 😁
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This is exactly how I do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQNIv2QqP003 -
The key is to use the bare minimum needed. Using an overly thick bead, is a recipe for disaster/clean up. (See the illustration on the right, above.)
+1 to a 45° angle cut on the tube.
*Also, keeping the caulk gun/tube moving at an even pace, not being overly heavy on the trigger is helpful. (Essential.)
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As others have pointed out ,keep the gun moving at a steady pace. Smooth it out with a sponge or one of the caulking tools ...What has not been mentioned is buy the good stuff ! As with paint , the better quality stuff costs more but it makes a better job
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Cordless caulking gun is great (and my hands don't ache afterward) but can over-apply(so can a hand op one). I'm not at all 'good' at caulking and results aren't uniform but usually gets the job done.
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