How to Caulk Like a Professional

As you get ready to learn how to caulk smoothly, gather the tools and materials for the project.

You will need:

• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Caulk tool, razor blade, putty knife or scraper
• Caulk finishing tool or caulk edger
• Rags
• Rubbing alcohol or disinfecting spray
• Foam tape
• Painter’s tape
• Scissors or a utility knife

Note: The type of caulk you should use will depend on what you’re caulking.

Learning how to caulk starts with a clean surface. Take time to remove any existing caulk to help ensure a good seal.

• Soften dried caulk to make removal easier. Use caulk remover, following the manufacturer’s instructions, or a paste mixture of water and a powdered cleaner. If the old caulk is silicone-based, the cleanup is different than the usual latex-based caulks. Use rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits to make sure all the residue is removed. You can also use a caulk remover made specifically for silicone caulk.
• The best way to apply water or other softener is to soak a cloth in it and let it sit on the old caulk until it's soft. This could take hours.
• Cut the softened, old caulk out with a caulk tool, razor blade, putty knife or scraper.
• Clean up any remaining caulk residue with water and a cleanser or caulk remover.
• Remove all paint, dirt, dust, grease and debris. If you’re removing silicone caulk, make sure all residue is completely removed.
• Use a rag to wipe the joint surface with rubbing alcohol or an over-the-counter disinfecting spray.
• Rinse thoroughly with water and dry.

If the gap you are caulking is greater than 1/2 inch, use a caulk formulated for wider gaps or press foam tape into the space.

Tips: Before using a caulk remover, test a small area first. Take safety precautions if you use any chemicals: gloves and ventilation are recommended.

One of the best caulking tips is to make sure that the caulk only goes where you need it. Caulking with tape along the surface will help produce an attractive finish.

Apply painter’s tape to mask off areas around the joint where the caulk should not appear. This will give you a straight line of caulk and will improve the final appearance. The space where you’ll be putting caulk should not be more than a quarter-inch wide and a half-inch deep.

Caulk is available in hand-held squeezable tubes or rigid plastic cylinders that require a caulk gun to push out the material. A squeeze tube is recommended for small projects.

• Some squeeze tubes may have a seal under the nozzle cap. Make sure to puncture the seal before use. Follow the instructions on the tube and carefully cut the nozzle using scissors or a utility knife with a sharp blade. Most caulk guns also have a built-in nozzle cutter and seal puncher.
• A line of caulk is called a “bead” and the width of bead is determined by where the nozzle is cut. To create a narrow bead, cut the nozzle close to its tip. For a wider bead, trim off more of the nozzle.
• No matter how wide your caulk bead needs to be, cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle. You will be applying the caulk with the tube at an angle, so cutting the nozzle on a slant will help get a smooth bead.

Using a caulk gun is the easiest way to apply caulk.

• Insert the cartridge into the gun frame and make sure it's snug and secure.
• Press the release at the back of the caulk gun and adjust the rod so the plunger is fully extended.
• Place the nozzle at a 45-degree angle in the middle of the joint. Always start on one end of your project. Try to work in a continuous direction.
• Grasp the tube and slowly squeeze the trigger. Press the nozzle into the joint with enough pressure to force the caulk into the gap.
• At the same time, steadily draw the nozzle along the joint.
• Apply steady pressure to the trigger or tube and fill the gap with an even bead of caulk.
• Release the trigger when it reaches the handle. It will spring back. Then you can continue making a steady bead.

For a neat and professional-looking finish, “tool” or smooth the bead of caulk after sealing the joint with a caulking finishing tool or caulking edger. Some professionals will use their finger to smooth caulk while others go back over their work with a damp rag.

Whichever method you use, the overall goal is to smooth the bead and not to remove excess caulk. For best results as you figure out how to use caulking tools:

• Lightly drag the caulk finishing tool over the bead to smooth it.
• Alternatively, you can use your finger. Moisten your fingertip in warm soapy water and drag it with light pressure along the length of the bead.
• If caulking with tape to mask the area around the caulk, remove the tape before the caulk starts to set.
• To remove the painter's tape, lift the end and pull up at a 45-degree angle, away from the surface.
• Wipe away excess caulk with water and a damp cloth before it dries.

As you figure out how to caulk, make cleaning up a part of the process.

• As you work, have a rag or cloth handy. If caulk gets anywhere you don’t want it to be, wipe it off quickly. It will be harder to get off once it’s dry.
• Once you’re done with your project, wipe away any excess caulk before it dries. You can use water and a cloth or a damp sponge for acrylic caulk. A dry paper towel and rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits work best for silicone caulk.

• Keep in mind that even unopened tubes have an expiration date. Most last about a year from date of manufacture.
• Test a previously used tube or an older unopened tube by applying a long bead onto cardboard or some other surface. It should develop a skin after about 15 minutes. If it doesn’t, dispose of that tube of caulk.
• Store both used and unopened tubes of caulk in non-extreme temperature ranges.
• Store tubes upright.

Storing used tubes of caulk runs the risk of exposing the contents to the air, which cause the caulk to cure. You can try to save used caulk cartridges a number of ways.

• Squeeze out some of the caulk so it will be a plug that stops air from getting in. Then wrap the tip with multiple layers of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Insert a nail or screw at least 2 inches into the opening of the cartridge, pushing down firmly. This works best if the hole is a little smaller than the nail or screw. Use masking tape or electrical tape to wrap around the tip and the nail/screw multiple times.
• If you save the tip that you cut off when opening the tube, you can invert it and push it into the opening.
• You can also use commercial caps or plugs designed to seal caulk tubes or special canisters designed for containing them.

Drying and curing are two separate processes and have different time requirements. Curing often takes longer than drying. Quick-drying caulks are also available.

• Check your caulk tube for the specific dry and cure time instructions.
• To remove excess dried caulk, use a putty knife or caulk tool to cut or scrape it away.
  If using a paintable caulk, check the directions on the tube for paint-ready time.
• Refer to the manufacturer’s directions to find out how to store leftover caulk.