A little caulking trick...

T

tobnpr

New Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,246
New Port Richey, Florida
Boat Info
1988 300 DA
Engines
tw 350's w/ Alphas
I'm sure someone else has already figured this out before me, but I've discovered that the reuseable syringes I've used for injecting epoxy work great when filled with caulking when I need to lay down a super thin bead without masking or tooling, and for getting into tight spaces where you can't fit a normal caulk gun. FYI...

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|12212|309344&id=12551
 
If you have the space for a large caulk gun, you can obtain 1/16" to 1/8" caulk lines with these couple items in mind....

1. Cut the tip at a 45 degree angle

2. Only cut the very very very small end off the tip. This will keep the caulk line very uniform and thin.

3. Keep constant pressure on the trigger and slowly move the gun.

4. Wet your finger prior to smoothing out the caulk. If you cut the tip small enough, you don't even have to tape to keep a uniform joint.

Try it, you'll be surprised how easy caulking can be.

Doug
 
Here's another little trick for you when working with silicone caulk.

When you want to smooth out a silicone caulk joint like you can with latex. Use Denatured Alcohol in a spray bottle like you would water with latex.

You can use blue tape to have clean edges, just spray the silicone with the denatured alcohol and use your finger to smooth it out for a perfect finish every time.

I've used this technique using tub and tile mildew resistant silicone in bathroom installs for quite some time.
 
JAFI said:
Here's another little trick for you when working with silicone caulk.

When you want to smooth out a silicone caulk joint like you can with latex. Use Denatured Alcohol in a spray bottle like you would water with latex.

You can use blue tape to have clean edges, just spray the silicone with the denatured alcohol and use your finger to smooth it out for a perfect finish every time.

I've used this technique using tub and tile mildew resistant silicone in bathroom installs for quite some time.
Click to expand...

Will the alcohol effect the gelcoat in any way?
 
other than clean it no. alcohol wont hurt the gelcoat
 
You can also use Windex to smooth out the caulking line....works great. Apply caulk, wet the area with Windex, smooth out with appropriate device. Just recaulked the rub rail with Boatcaulk and it worked great.
Try it....
 
I re-caulked some areas on the boat this weekend. I blue taped the edges, laid down the caulk: http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Boat+Life+Silicone+White.html

(great stuff by the way)

smoothed it out with a wet finger, than pulled the tape off.

I noticed an 'edge' if you will where the tape and the caulk met. The caulk does not smooth out into the gelcoat. I was going to smooth it out again but had concerns about an uneven edge with the tape removed. Does this makes sense and what should I do different next time? The wife thinks it looks great, I am just being particular.
 
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Trick is to have the caulk paper thin where it meets the masking tape. I usually use a plastic epoxy mixing stick (like a tongue depressor) to tool my joints, they have a nice radiused edge. If I'm very close at matching the radius of the tool where it meets the tape the caulk will have very little "edge" when the tape is pulled. If you tool the joint with something too wide, where the radius of the tool (or your fingertip) extends far past the inside edge of the tape, the caulk will have excessive thickness at that inside edge. That's why I don't use my fingers to tool a joint that I really care about, just not precise enough. Tough to explain, hope it makes sense...
 
When you lay down a nice bead of caulk - I like to use baby wipes to smooth out. Simple clean up and easy to use. If sunny out - spray some soap and water over it and smooth out.
 
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