Just looking for different/better/cleaner techniques.
I mask both sides of the edge up.
Cut tip about 3/4″ size of the joint.
Gun the joint and then give it a couple secs to cure up.
Tool the joint, wipe clean finger, dip into paint thinner, tool, and continue on.
Remove masking tape and then again, dip finger into paint thinner then tool the joint one more time to perfect the joint. Its a long tedious process but the joints come out perfect everytime.
Just ordered myself some color matching silicone….and prompted me to see if I could perfect my technique when the caulk comes in.
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You never even mentioned push vs pull.
If I can possibly do the joint with zero tooling I do. Unfortunately, this is harder to accomplish with "modern" caulks than the stuff from 20-30 years ago.
It depends on the joint and at what angles I'm working the gun at.Any of use guys using silicone acrylic ?
For joints needing paint, I've been using the GE XST paintable caulk.
I only mask surfaces that I don't want to get caulk on.
If it will be painted, I use a paint grade caulk.
I sometimes have a couple of tubes working at the same time. The tips will be cut differently depending on the gaps I'm working with.
I like to push the gun when I can, but pushing v.s. pulling depends more on which direction is most comfortable for me.
I've tried 3-4 of those "tools" and thrown them all away. A moistened finger works best of all. I use lots of paper towels to wipe the excess off of my finger. I always intend to have a small cup of water handy for wetting my finger and sometimes actually do. Quite often, however, I'll just lick my finger. Yes, I spit a lot when I'l caulking. - lol
For silicon I like to use rubbing alcholo to wet my finger.
And I usually don't mask.
If it ends up too messy then I can wipe it all off with a paper towel and then use one weted with the rubbign alhcolo and wash the residue off.
"Cut tip about 3/4" size of the joint"
Do not mean 3/4 of the size of the joint and not 3/4 INCH?
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Depends what it is I am caulking.
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Sounds like you've got it. One suggestion though, use WD 40 or water/spit rather then paint thinner. Most organic solvents are easily absorbed through the skin and you're increasing your risk of developing a blood cancer. The lower your contact with all "distillates" the better off you'll be.
In conjuntion with the ~finger~, I've got a nitrile glove on as well.
My only concern that I've yet to test the difference is pt versus rubbing alcohol and the possibility that too much pt on the finger while tooling may affect the silicone adhering to the joint on very nonporus materials - like granite and such.
Someone here mentioned using an icing bag tip, that you'd use for cake decorating, on the tip of the caulk gun. I was skeptical but tried it and it makes a world of difference. I duct tape one on and can get a nice neat small bead.
Well, I do the same as most here - but my secret weapon is the plastic grocery store bags.I go through about 10 of them on a typical bath or shower. They are great to wipe your fingers off on and to put the tape into and even to wipe the tip of the tube on when it gets smagged up.So much better than paper towels or rags or anything else.When using them to wipe your fingers on - you can easily turn them inside out and get a bit more milage to them.Handy as can be.JT