How to Use a Caulking Tool
Caulk is used to seal cracks and waterproof seams around showers, tubs and sinks. A caulking tool, or beading tool, is a small, flat disk that helps smooth the line of caulk once it is laid. Caulking tools are especially helpful if you don't have a lot of caulking experience, because they can help perfect the bead of caulk even if it originally was bumpy or crooked. After you lay the line of caulk with your caulk gun, your beading tool gives it the finishing touch. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Decide which corner of your caulking tool to use. Most beading tools have multiple corners with different shapes, so your caulk can be rounded, straight or angled.
-
2
Lay an even bead of caulk along the area you want to seal, using your caulk gun. Keep the tip of the gun as close to the seam or crack as possible. Keep the caulk line as even as you can by maintaining steady pressure on the trigger.
-
-
3
Starting at one end, swipe the chosen corner of your caulking tool over the bead of caulk in a fluid motion, as if you were shaving it with a razor. Keep the tool straight and make sure its flat edges are touching the surfaces on either side of the caulk bead -- such as the shower floor and the shower wall.
-
4
Check the caulk line to make sure it is smooth and even. Even out any crooked edges with a damp rag. Remove any caulk on the surrounding wall or floor with the rag.
-
5
Wash your caulking tool with soap and water to prevent the caulk from drying on the tool.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you are using polyurethane caulk, dip the tip of your caulking tool in paint thinner before you smooth the bead of caulk. Polyurethane is especially sticky, and a solvent like paint thinner will keep it from sticking to your tool.
Allow the caulk to cure for 24 hours before getting it wet.
