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Caulking in tight spaces

| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on June 4, 2002 11:05am

I need to lay a bead of caulk in relatively tight confines that are too deep for a standard caulk tube to reach.  Has anyone come up with a way to extend the tube to reach to depths of several inches?  The area is relatively small, maybe as small as 1/2 an inch wide, but up to 5-6 inches deep.  I’ve thought of using small diameter vinyl hose, clamped to the tube – however, vinyl tubing tends to be too flexible.

thanks to any who help out.

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  1. Seth_Frankel | Jun 05, 2002 02:31am | #1

    Here's a method I've used to get at some tight and awkward spots:

    Get a couple of different diameter clear tubing sections from the hardware store that will fit over the end of the tube each one about 3"-6" inches long. Cut one end at 45 degress and slide the other end over the caulk tube's tip afte cutting off a little bit. Use a piece of 12ga wire and electrical tape it to the tube. You can bend the tube to get at the angle you want.

    Good luck.

    Seth

    "Nothing is a

    mistake. There is no win

    and there is no fail . . . there is only

    make."

    John Cage

  • Mooney | Jun 05, 2002 02:19pm | #2

    Advice above is good . Sometimes I make a trim on the table saw, and paint it to match, glue it in .

    1. 4Lorn1 | Jun 06, 2002 05:28am | #3

      One local guy has been seen using 1/2" copper tubing flared slightly on one end and pinched down to 1/4" or so on the other. A 2 or 3' piece bent into a sweeping arc was used to caulk behind obstructions. He stuffs the nozzle of the caulk tube into the flared end and holds it there. This also helps him manipulate the extension.

      To use up the caulk left in the pipe he stuffs in a bit of a rag and pushed it home with smaller piece of tubing. He finished by rinsing the assembly in the appropriate solvent. Cheap, effective and adaptable by simply rebending the tube to get you there.

      I have never needed this technique but it has been a arrow in my quiver for some time. I tend to remember such oddities.

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