Caulking: Any Tips?

[wuapinmon]

I'm home from Costa Rica, and no one has showered in any of the showers for three weeks, so I'm trying to caulk them, but my caulk bead looks like crap, and when I try and use my finger on it, I've got too much caulk. Are there any counting exercises you can do to help get the timing down better than I have it?

[Babs]

did you tape first?

[Sizzle]

There are a lot of tools available that can help. I believe they have a rubbery contraption to help keep things smooth and give it a more natural look, and also helps with keeping the excess white gunk from getting everywhere. Not sure where you can pick it up locally, but I imagine you can buy them online.

[FN Phat]

Babs is on to something with the tape. Combine that with a tip cut at a 45 degree angle and a steady bead of caulk and you will lay a bead like the pros, with minimal clean-up. It is important to always have a clean tip. A clogged and improperly cut tip = sloppy caulk. Nobody likes sloppy caulk.

[Babs]

yeah, you don't really need any special tools if you prep your area. You can pick the caulk tools up at lowes or home depot if you want them, but I'm a cheapskate and don't like to spend the extra money. I just tape carefully and then use my finger or a plastic spoon.

[falafel]

There are a lot of tools available that can help. I believe they have a rubbery contraption to help keep things smooth and give it a more natural look, and also helps with keeping the excess white gunk from getting everywhere. Not sure where you can pick it up locally, but I imagine you can buy them online.

[Surfah]

Also important is to have the area you're caulking perfectly clean. You have to remove all of the old caulk and crap if you have any hope of laying down a nice bead.

[mtnbiker]

Just keep a little bowl of water next to you, and keep your finger wet as you go over the bead. The water will keep the caulk from sticking to your finger, and you can make a nice clean finish.

[Sizzle]

yeah, you don't really need any special tools if you prep your area...I'm a cheapskate and don't like to spend the extra money. I just tape carefully and then use my finger or a plastic spoon.

Interesting technique.

[wuapinmon]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'm going to have to rip it all out, and start again. It looks bad now that it's dried, like one of my kids did it.

[hostile]

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag6ZLSW_dD8"]YouTube- caulk[/nomedia]

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

What color of caulk are you using?

[wuapinmon]

What color of caulk are you using?

white

[BlueHair]

A common misconception is that white caulk is inferior. It's not the color or size of the caulk that's important, it's the technique. Don't hurry. Take your time, get a good rhythm and you'll get a satisfying result.

[Babs]

A common misconception is that white caulk is inferior. It's not the color or size of the caulk that's important, it's the technique. Don't hurry. Take your time, get a good rhythm and you'll get a satisfying result.

Yeah, it's easy to rush it your first few times, but that never works well. It comes out way too fast and you end up with a big, disappointing mess.