15 Tips For Perfect Sealant Results Every Time

A common mistake is to cut off too much of the caulk tube tip, leaving a hole that’s way too big for most interior caulking work.

When you’re filling small cracks to prepare for painting, cut the tip carefully to keep the hole tiny – about 10mm in diameter.

The tiny hole lets out just enough caulk to fill typical small- to medium-size cracks.

For larger cracks, make a second pass or keep a second caulk gun on hand, loaded with a tube that has a slightly bigger hole.

Keep the caulk gun moving quickly along the crack as you squeeze the trigger.

This, combined with the small opening in the tip, will give you a nice caulk joint that needs very little cleanup.

A quick swipe with a dampened fingertip will leave a paint-ready joint.

If you’re caulking concrete, either to fill a crack or to seal it around the edge, you can make the caulk almost invisible.

Simply dust the caulk with dry concrete mix while it’s still wet.

When it’s dry, brush away the excess, and the caulk will virtually disappear.

>How often do you have dry caulk stuck in the tip of the tube but know that there’s a lot of fresh stuff behind it?

Get to the fresh stuff by first cutting two slits along the tube,on opposite sides, with a sharp utility knife.

Pry out the dried plug of caulk.

Then wrap the tip with duct tape, put the tube back in the gun and use up that caulk.

When you need to caulk in a spot that’s too tight for a caulk gun, try this: Cut a sharp angle on the end of a plastic straw, just as you’d cut the spout of a caulk tube.

Then fill the straw with caulk using a caulk gun.

Fold over one end of the straw and squeeze caulk out the other end.

You can lay a bead of caulk in cramped quarters this way, but it’s hard to squeeze out a consistent, even bead.

So keep a damp rag handy and plan to smooth the bead with your finger.

Every tube of caulk contains its own spout sealer.

Force enough caulk out of the tube to form a peanut-sized ball.

Then wet your finger and shape the ball to form a cap.

The cap will slowly harden and keep the caulk inside soft for weeks.