How do you caulk and make less of a mess?

[Tom7227]

I am trying to caulk some 1/8 in gaps in a steel fence that I just painted and I am having a tough time not making a mess. Using GE silicone outdoor caulk. It is on a flat surface so I don't need to worry about rounding inside corners. Wet rag and a wet finger have helped a bit but I am hoping someone offers a trick or two more.

Thanks for your time.

Tom

[chad austin]

Lay the bead of caulk down, put some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray down the area, over the bead of caulk. Then wipe it with your finger. The isopropal will not allow the caulk to stick

[BoxMN]

Lay the bead of caulk down, put some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray down the area, over the bead of caulk. Then wipe it with your finger. The isopropal will not allow the caulk to stick

Wow, great advice! I will use it thnx!

[LightningBG]

And dont smoke while you're doing it.

[Redlantern]

Chad's advice is right on. Sometimes I use soapy water instead of alcohol, depending if I'm on a low v.o.c. job (offgassing) but the alcohol works better. Have paper towels or rags handy to wipe off the excess from your fingers before it globs up on them and makes a mess.

[chad austin]

And dont smoke while you're doing it.

Funny... But so true!

[upnorth]

Lay the bead of caulk down, put some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray down the area, over the bead of caulk. Then wipe it with your finger. The isopropal will not allow the caulk to stick

Very good tip. Gonna have to use that one.

[Tom7227]

I tried the alcohol thing today and it worked slicker than snot on a doorknob - literally. Great tip, maybe one of the best I have received on FM.

Thanks for the help.

Tom

[tipup]

I always wondered also how not to make a mess. A budy of mine is lays tile for a living and I watched him and he uses painters tape. It works slick! He put down not to much for the job, spreads it with a wet finger and then peels the tape and it is perfect?!! Has worked for me since that day I watched him. Just my 2 cents!!

[mabr]

I second the tape idea. Makes a great straight line for the caulk joint. Put it on both surfaces that are being caulked and pull after you have spread it with finger.

[BehindtheHead]

im not a pro but will the alcohol have a affect on the caulk? it wouldnt matter much in this application but on windows and siding, or a bathtub it might. i was told in school not to wipe caulk because the oils in your skin can break it down or something.

my advice is get a good caulk gun not the 5 dollar ones.

[Redlantern]

It'll be fine on bathtubs, other porcelain, fiberglass, stainless steel and tile. Never heard anything about oils causing trouble, if it's a concern for you, wear gloves. Some folks use a wet spoon to smooth it out. My finger, some alcohol and a clean rag to wipe off my finger works well for me.

[Tom7227]

my advice is get a good caulk gun not the 5 dollar ones.

I am a bit baffled by this one. Please explain where you buy an expensive caulk gun and why that would make a difference. You squeeze and the stuff comes out. You can be adept at cutting the tip or even how you angle the gun so the material goes on better. Not sure at all how the quality of the squeezer is involved in that.

[Redlantern]

Tom, at work we have some caulk guns that are No Drip. They sure don't look like anything too expensive but they don't drip after you quit squeezing the trigger like some guns do. Less mess to worry about.