How to Caulk Like a Pro in 4 Easy Steps

Last updated: 19 Jun 2021

Hi there! In this article, I’m going to be talking to you about the four best ways to get professional results while caulking. Let’s get right to it.

Use the Dripless Gun

The first tip is to use the dripless gun if you haven’t used a dripless gun before. Every time you squeeze the trigger and then release the drive backs off a little bit which releases the pressure from the tube.
That means you don’t get extra caulk or sealant squirting out a tip that you didn’t attempt.

When you’re laying down a bead of caulk you’re in control of it. You’re not getting these blobs or these losses that sometimes come out with a non-dripless gun. Another factor to keep in mind with the dripless gun is that they typically only cost a few dollars more than a standard caulk gun.

Cut the Tip at a 45-degree

Tip number two – is just cut the tip an in our caulk. I like to try and make this as small as possible and do it at a 45-degree angle so that the caulk comes out nice and smooth when we’re putting it at an angle.

Move Fast

Tip number three – move fast. One of the biggest issues we face as caulking is that it’s difficult to match the rate of the flow of the caulking with the speed that we’re traveling at. If you can work out how to move as quickly as you’re able to squeeze the caulk out of the tube you’re going to get a nice smooth bead every time.

Use Soapy Water

Tip number four – use soapy water when tooling. Tooling is the process of smoothing out the bead of caulk to make it nice and smooth.
I’m just mixing some dish soap and some water in a bowl. Using soapy water when you’re caulking or especially applying any sort of a sealant like silicone or polyurethane makes a huge difference. Because these types of sealants are typically very sticky and they tend to stick to your finger as well. But the soap helps repel them making it easier for you to use your finger for tooling.

Final Thoughts

I hope all of these tips should help you get more professional results the next time you have a caulking job to do. Whether it’s in a dry area like on baseboard or trim or in a wet area like a kitchen or bathroom or your RV. A proper caulking job will make your home more attractive and better protected. Thank you so much for reading.