Wipe your finger off as the caulk accumulates. Are these transition gaps silicone caulked as opposed to just grouted to try to create a free zone or cushion that allows for movement and reduced risk of grout cracking? I don't use tape or special lubricants. Or you may opt for a Dripless caulk gun which is also the best option and used by professionals. Porcelain or ceramic surfaces must be perfectly smooth, clean, and dry in order to accept new caulk. Hope this helps someone out there! Smooth silicone caulk with windex and dawn. Because Kitchen & Bathrooms are the hotspots for higher moisture levels. That's why it's most advisable to have a small gap for the silicone to bridge allow the bead to move w/o being restricted by the grout behind it. Warning: Chemistry mode on). How do you smooth caulk in tight spots? Ok - understand perfectly.
Can I apply new silicone atop, or alongside old silicone caulk? How do I get a smooth finish with caulking? When smoothing out silicone caulk. If you use a cloth, make sure you wear protective gloves, because the caulk can be somewhat sticky and difficult to wash off. Conclusion – Smooth Silicone Caulk with Windex. Plus if you caulk first you'll get indentations at each grout line. It will keep the edge to a minimum... however I still wonder about keeping the edge of the silicone on the bottom edge of the tile, like the rest of the grout, or the surface? How to Smooth Silicone Caulk Like A Professional (Try-This. Tec makes a whole line of products, thinset, grout etc.... 1- Take your time as you run the bead of caulk. Can you recommend a few? Thanks for the input Ben. 2- Make sure the joint surfaces are very clean and dry.
This will make it much easier for you to remove it from any surface including glass and tiles. 11-06-2010, 12:15 PM. Summary of Pros and Cons of Using Silicone Caulk. Dripless caulk guns are a must! Then, use the cotton swab to smooth the caulk outwards until it's even, wiping off excess as you go. Good video but I wish people would turn their phone horizontally when filming. Now I actually WANT to caulk something. BTW, please tell us if you get a "slime line" or not! What happens if silicone sealant gets wet before it cures? Smooth silicone caulk with windex clear. Blue painter's tape. This will keep it from sticking. It looks better than "terrible" - but this is a sore spot and should have been much better.
Steve26 thanks for your video but what exactly is in your 2 part cleaning solution you used. Dowsil (Dow Corning) OS-2 Solvent. Dana, do you spray it or just use it with a rag? Many times I do this by accident.
Ideal for Non-porous Surfaces. Simply wet your index finger with Windex and run it over the caulk to smooth out or wet the area with Windex and smooth out with use the corner of an old credit or gift card. My bathroom remodel thread is here (with a picture of my transition): Thanks again for the technique and great documentation! Gorilla White Pure Silicone Caulk is best to caulk areas of high moisture situations like bathtubs/showers and washrooms. Additionally, the soapy water helps smooth out the caulk after it has been applied, making it easier to achieve a neat and even finish. Search the 'net and you'll find some. Finally, once the caulk has dried, you should gently run your finger along the length of the joint to check for any imperfections. Go back to the 2nd page, post 17 in this thread, there's other good ways to apply silicone that pro's have been using and discussing for a long time. Just leave enough space where you will apply the caulk. Smooth silicone caulk with windex and ammonia. It's the looooooong tapers leaving very thin caulk that cause what you describe, not what it's attached to or where it's attached.... as long as you're following the manufacturers instructions regarding prep, installation, curing, etc... :). Wally, Be it either a wall to wall or wall to floor, a nice steady gap can be created by a number of means. As much as you like to admire it, don't touch it. I cut the tip at an angle, and glide along the heel of the cut.
No, silicone does not dissolve in any of the common solvents. Spray the rubbing alcohol on your finger and cotton rag to wet them. Remove a Tight Ring. Thanks for the kind words, mighty nice of you to say:yo: Christoph. You may notice a film that makes the silicone slippery as you smooth it out.
Recommending caulking the changes of planes is recommended to every DIYer who comes on this site. Thank you (again) Cab. How to Smooth Silicone Caulk? (The Windex Trick. On sensitive surfaces suchas wal paper or relatively new paint, "green" tape instead of "blue" works better. I'll give it a try on my next caulking job. Gently run your finger along the surface of the silicone from one corner to the other to smooth it out. I just take a spray bottle and squirt my finger with it.
I didn't catch a content discription anywhere???? Refractory caulk: This is a high-temperature sealant often used for fireplaces and other high-temp applications. With ethanol from residue of polyurethane sealant also works well. I think I may have thought I took off too much because the caulk line I left was so small, but I didn't really apply all that much to begin with. So does the angular cut approach create a finer bead? And there's no mess on your project either!! Not sure what type of sealant this works for exactly; just that it also works for silicone. You'll notice that because of the alcohol, the caulk doesn't stick to your finger or the tile. I called it "cleaning solution" because I don't want to promote any brand of dish soap. 5- Don't poke at or get grout dust onto your new bead of silicone for 24 hours. Do you have any other tips? What you end up with is a perfectly smooth bead, each and every time.
05-02-2017, 05:02 PM. The bead turns out perfecto. No, you should not use glass cleaner on silicone. I left the smeary part on the floor alone to cure, then used a very sharp utility knife and a plastic scraper clean it up a bit. It was actually Stefan who made that great video.
Tips from this pro: 1- Be sure to wipe your finger on the toilet paper before sticking it in your mouth the second time. Comfort Grip, Durable And Easy To Use. Any comments on if this might weaken or affect the caulk over the long term? To answer my own question, apparently silicone caulk doesn't stick to cured silicone caulk, so all of the joints must be caulked at the same time. Completely eliminates the unbalanced "wave" of caulk on every intersection.