Silicone Sealant Trick

[Rlaubert]

Recently I needed to reseal the sink and some windows. In the past I would wear gloves to smooth out the bead of silicone. I recently talked to someone who found an easier, less messy way.

Once the bead of silicone is laid down, spray your finger or the bead of silicone with Windex (with Ammonia), it doesn't stick to your finger and you get a nice smooth bead that can be pushed into the cracks as you smooth out the bead.

Works really great.

[Cloud_Dancer]

I haven't used silicon sealant in ages. I use 3M Marine adhesive sealants. Small bead and finger finish works good.

[Cummins12V98]

The method mentioned really does work! I was very Leary when a cabinet installer started caulking a backsplash to a counter top. What he did was to apply a nice tight bead to all the inside corners THEN spray windex over all the caulk areas. He then took his finger and wiped the caulking to a nice concave bead. the excess did not stick to anything past the edge of the bread that was applied. It really does work well as it did not leave any loose edges. After seeing the results I gave him the thumbs up.

[NJRVer]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
43 years of glazing, building solariums etc etc and all I ever use is a bare finger. No spitting on it, dipping in anything at all. Pro results on thousands of projects. I keep a shop towel nearby to wipe my finger on.
The whole key to a good result is putting a tiny bead on and then tooling it with your finger. If it squishes out around your finger you have laid to heavy of a bead on.
And to do that you cut the tip of the tube so it has a tiny hole, not halfway down so it's the size of a garden hose.
Doesn't matter if I'm using silicone, butyl, polyurathene, elastomeric, polymer or any of the others. I do them all the same.
Tiny bead is the key to a good finish.

X2!
I personally don't want any water around my bead when I caulk.

[NanciL]

And now for my tip:
When you are finished using a tube and there is still some left, put a glob of vasoline on the end of the tip. Then either put some duct tape, the tube cap, a wire nut, or a small tightly wrapped plastic baggie held with a rubber band over it, and it will not harden up for another use even a year later.

jack L

[BobsYourUncle]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


I think you know it took a lot of practice to get GOOD at caulking. I have many years experience also it takes steady pressure and control of speed of application.

It's rare to find anyone that is truly good.

Practice!!!

Amen to that one!!
🙂

[nineoaks2004]

I used it a lot when building traffic signals and have always just used a finger, I just dipped the finger with water or licked it I also kept a damp rag to wipe the finger off before I put my dip in my mouth.

[Cummins12V98]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
43 years of glazing, building solariums etc etc and all I ever use is a bare finger. No spitting on it, dipping in anything at all. Pro results on thousands of projects. I keep a shop towel nearby to wipe my finger on.
The whole key to a good result is putting a tiny bead on and then tooling it with your finger. If it squishes out around your finger you have laid to heavy of a bead on.
And to do that you cut the tip of the tube so it has a tiny hole, not halfway down so it's the size of a garden hose.
Doesn't matter if I'm using silicone, butyl, polyurathene, elastomeric, polymer or any of the others. I do them all the same.
Tiny bead is the key to a good finish.

I think you know it took a lot of practice to get GOOD at caulking. I have many years experience also it takes steady pressure and control of speed of application.

It's rare to find anyone that is truly good.

Practice!!!

[Horizon170]

I find it easier and neater to place painters tape on either side of the void, fill with silicone, wet finger in water and smooth. After a bit pull the tape it will look professional.

[BobsYourUncle]

43 years of glazing, building solariums etc etc and all I ever use is a bare finger. No spitting on it, dipping in anything at all. Pro results on thousands of projects. I keep a shop towel nearby to wipe my finger on.
The whole key to a good result is putting a tiny bead on and then tooling it with your finger. If it squishes out around your finger you have laid to heavy of a bead on.
And to do that you cut the tip of the tube so it has a tiny hole, not halfway down so it's the size of a garden hose.
Doesn't matter if I'm using silicone, butyl, polyurathene, elastomeric, polymer or any of the others. I do them all the same.
Tiny bead is the key to a good finish.

[GordonThree]

Trackrig wrote:
Can accomplish the same by licking your finger tip if you just have a little bit to touch up.

Bill

Me too, licking my finger has worked for me all these years. So far neither has my tongue fallen out or fingers fallen off.

[MrWizard]

downtheroad wrote:
Good tip, thanks.
I'll have to give that a try....I have been using spit on my finger for years..works great, tastes not so great.

X2
Same here
But I quit using silicone and went polyurethane
Stickier than silicone and tastes Worse

[midnightsadie]

liqued soap does the trick.

[Trackrig]

Can accomplish the same by licking your finger tip if you just have a little bit to touch up.

Bill

[downtheroad]

Good tip, thanks.
I'll have to give that a try....I have been using spit on my finger for years..works great, tastes not so great.