Caulk is one of those substances that looks like applying it will be easy as pie, and then when you actually start making the application you quickly realize that the professionals and experienced painters you have seen use the substance know tips and tricks. One of the tips and tricks the pros know about caulk is how to use the caulk finishing tool so that the bead of caulk looks nice and stays in place.
We asked the home restoration specialist and bathroom remodeling specialist if they could explain to us how to use a caulk finishing tool so that we could make neat beads instead of globby messes. They did oblige us with advice and a few tricks we felt that our readers would love to know.
The Caulk Finishing Tools
Caulk finishing tools may have a flat edge on them or they may have a head that looks a lot like an arrowhead. Both of these tools work great for smoothing the beads. If you have to get the bead of caulk into a tight little crevice then go ahead and get a finishing tool that is shaped like the arrowhead. That gives you a small point to use when pushing the caulk into the crevice.
The pros also say that you should never forget that one of the best caulk finishing tools is your own finger. The human finger is often used to smooth down the caulk and press it firmly into the crevice or crack you are trying to fill.
The handles of the tools are made from a wide variety of materials. Plastics and woods are the most common finishing tool handles. The material the handle is made of makes very little difference in the quality of the tool.
When you are selecting a tool, you should see how flexible the item is. The tool has to bend a little and flex and give in order to push the caulk into position. If the tool is rigid then you will break it easily and it will not create the finished look you want.
Laying a Perfect Bead of Caulk
Before you can use the finishing tool you need to lay a bead of caulk in the area where you need it to go. Around bathtubs is one of the places in your home where there must be a bead of caulk to stop water from the tub from getting between the tub and the wall beside the tub. The caulk is your moisture barrier that protects your wood from being exposed to water.
While the bead of caulk is fresh and still moist you place the tool on top of the bead and apply firm and continuous pressure as you drag the tool down the bead. The pressure you are exerting onto the tool will cause the caulking bead to spread out and fill in cracks and crevices. When sealing a crack this is important because the caulking material must be placed on both sides of the crack around water sources like bathtubs. The pressure you apply with the tool spreads the caulk onto each side so you have a tight and waterproof seal.
The pros say that if you decide to use your finger you need to moisten your finger before you drag it over the bead. You can moisten your finger by licking it or by dipping it in a small amount of water.
When You Do Not Have a Tool
There are times you will not have a tool on hand, and there will be times you really do not want to run your finger along with the bead because you fear maybe being cut or injuring your finger. You also do not want to use your finger to smooth beads of caulk that are not created by a water-based product. A few other items can be used as finishing tools. They are:
- The handle of an old toothbrush
- Plastic spoons
- A piece of cloth covering your finger
- A glove over your finger if you are working with a non-water-based item
- A plastic putty knife
Why Invest in a Tool?
A lot of people asked why they should invest in a tool when they can use their fingers. The answer is because the tool does create a smoother and more aesthetically pleasing bead. When you use the tool, you can apply the exact amount of pressure in a continuous line. When you use your finger, you will let up on the pressure as you move along the bead, and when the finger gets coated with the caulk you may create smaller amounts of pressure.
Final Thoughts
The only way to really learn how to smooth caulk, using finishing tools or household items, is to do this a few times and see what works best for you. You have to learn the exact amount of pressure that you can apply, and how thick to make the bead so the crack is completely sealed.
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