Caulking Gun
How to Caulk Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink
Copyright (c) 2010 Ron Hazelton
If you’ve ever tried caulking a kitchen sink or bathtub, you might have been frustrated with the mess or disappointed in the unprofessional result. But with a few tips, some practice and a handy product like Caulk Mate, you can easily achieve a seamless, professional-looking caulk job.
The first step is to acclimate the caulk. It’s very important, especially with silicone, to allow the caulk to adjust to room temperature before applying it. Caulk that’s too cold will be too stiff to flow smoothly out of the tube. And caulk that is too hot might become fluid or runny, which means it won’t leave a smooth bead – a must for a professional finish.
Once the caulk is acclimated, you need to cut the tip of the caulk tube. Cut the nozzle close to the end, allowing for a smaller opening. You will find that a smaller opening helps keep you from overfilling the joint. It’s also easier to cut more off of the tip than it is to try and work with a tip that’s too large.
Once the tip is cut, load the tube into a caulking gun, and run a small test bead on some blocks of scrap wood to ensure that the opening is cut to the right size. You also want to practice using your caulk gun, to make sure you get a good feel for it and learn how to control the pressure.
Before you apply the caulk, use denatured alcohol to wipe away any grim, grease or dirt that could affect the way the caulk bonds with the surface. Once the alcohol has dried, you are ready to begin. Hold the caulk gun at a 45 degree angle and make one smooth, quick motion with squeezing the trigger with steady pressure.
You’ll want to pull the caulk along the joint rather than push it; pulling it results in fewer blobs, since the caulk can move smoothly over any obstructionns. End the bead quickly so the excess product doesn’t build up at the end of your bead.
The most important step in achieving a professional-looking and seamless caulking job is tooling. The easiest way to tool the bead is to simply use your finger to wipe away any excess caulk and make sure it’s worked all the way down into the seam. This job can be messy, so consider using a product like Caulk Mate. You simply spray it onto the bead of the caulk and tool it with your finger. You’ll get a smooth seam, and the excess caulk will wipe right off your finger, without any mess or stickiness left behind. When tooling the caulk, be careful to avoid excess tooling – scrape away too much of the caulk and you starve the joint of sealant (and waste a lot of caulk).
Again, it takes just a little practice to become a master at caulking. Your kitchen sink and bathtub or shower will have a seamless, professional-looking finish without the professional cost.
About the Author
Home improvement expert Ron Hazelton is host of the TV show “Ron Hazelton’s HouseCalls.” Interested in learning more about do-it-yourself projects? Visit http://www.ronhazelton.com or become a fan of “Ron Hazelton’s HouseCalls” on Facebook
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6 WORKFORCE & OTHER CAULKING GUNS / DISPENSING TOOLS $1.25 |
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9″ Caulking Gun Professional Skeleton IIT $1.50 |
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Dollhouse Miniature Unfinished Metal Caulking Gun $1.59 |
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CHIC6932 CAULKING GUN, 9″ LENGTH $1.69 |
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Caulk gun helpers. Reach difficult areas. Caulking aid $1.88 |
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Ez-Flo 55401 Caulking Gun Ratchet Type $1.90 |
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caulking gun $1.99 |
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Red Devil Caulking Guns -1/10 gallon half barrelcaulking gun 3985 $2.29 |
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Caulking Gun – (E49) – Dollhouse Miniature $2.55 |
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INSTRUCTION MANUAL CG100 black&decker cordless caulk gun ENGLISH SPANISH FRENCH $2.81 |
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NIP! STANDARD CAULK GUN ALL STEEL LIGHT WEIGHT $2.95 |
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Rachet Caulk Gun $2.99 |
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Mixed Lot of Goods; Caulk Gun, Silicone & More $3.44 |
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CAULK & GLUE GUN PERMATEX #29247 $3.95 |
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Caulking Gun Dispenser- Heavy Steel Gauge – Lever Piston, Blue Color $3.95 |
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Milwaukee Caulk Gun Plunger Rod Hook 31-44-1025 $3.99 |
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11″ SILVERLINE APPLICATOR CAULKING SKELETON GUN SILICONE SEALANT 400ML $4.30 |
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SILVERLINE BUILDING APPLICATOR CAULKING GUN STANDARD SILICONE SEALANT 300ML $4.30 |
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Standard Smooth Rod Caulking Gun $4.36 |
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Red Devil Caulking Guns -skeleton caulking gun 3986 $4.39 |
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Vintage caulking gun image w/ PRC Rubber Calk 5000 Sealant 1966 Print Ad $4.40 |
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Blue Steel Spring Release CAULK GUN Dispenser * NEW $4.44 |
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Quick loading econmical caulking gun $4.47 |
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BLUE METAL SEALANT/MASTIC/CAULK GUN ~ 9″ (225mm) TUBE $4.73 |
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Caulking Gun $4.85 |
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Wellforce 15064 9 inch Skeleton Caulking Gun $4.99 |
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Permatex 29247 The Right Stuff, Silicone/Caulking Gun $4.99 |
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NEW CAULK GUN~WORKS WITH ANY REG’-SIZE TUBE OFCUALK!SOLID GUN” W/QUICK RELEASE! $5.00 |
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5 TSI 2-1/2″ DISPOSABLE CAULKING GUN NOZZLES ~NEW~ $5.00 |
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Caulking Gun 9 Inch $5.00 |
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Performance Tool W54250 Ratcheting Caulk Gun W/Cutter $5.30 |
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Miniature Dollhouse Caulking Gun w/ Caulk $5.59 |
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S&G Tool Aid Hd Caulking Gun 19300 $5.99 |
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NEW Caulking Gun for RV / Camper / Trailer Sealant $5.99 |
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SILVERLINE 10PK SILICONE SAUSAGE GUN NOZZLES APPLICATOR CAULKING COMBI G $6.02 |
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1/2″ Triangular Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $6.26 |
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Convertible Stop Drip Caulk Gun – Skeleton $6.29 |
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S&G Tool Aid 19300 Heavy Duty Caulking Gun $6.39 |
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1/4″ Round Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $6.43 |
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caulk gun commercial 9.5 inches inside 2-1/4 inch thick for big caulking jobs $6.50 |
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SG Tool Aid Hd Caulking Gun 19300 $6.57 |
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Blue Spot 36469 11-inch Caulking Gun $6.63 |
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Dripless Caulking Gun CH200 764509012000 $6.79 |
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3/16″ Round Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $6.85 |
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5/8″ Oval Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $6.92 |
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BRAND NEW 11″ SKELETON GUN FOR MASTIC CAULK SEALANT $7.11 |
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3/8″ Round Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $7.24 |
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Cox North America 21001 10OZ SKELETON CAULK GUN $7.24 |
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GAM Stop Flow Skeleton Caulking Gun CG00118 $7.39 |
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Cox North America 41001-B Wexford Professional Caulking Gun $7.41 |
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NEW Newborn Brothers 102D Drip Free EZ Thrust Caulk Gun $7.49 |
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Newborn Model 111 Caulk Gun $7.50 |
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Caulking Gun – GAM CG-00118 $7.50 |
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HEAVY DUTY CAULKING GUN 11″ $7.89 |
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Z-PRO QUART SIZE HALF BARREL RATCHET STYLE CAULK GUN 014958001255 $7.99 |
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NEW! NEWBORN DRIP-FREE PROFESSIONAL CAULK CAULKING GUN $7.99 |
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1/8″ x 9/16″ Slot Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $8.31 |
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Contractor Quart Size Caulking Gun – Skeleton $8.34 |
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ACE ECONO RATCHET CAULK GUN 1/10GAL 33 $8.69 |
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GAM Ratchet Caulking Gun CG00111 $8.84 |
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Bond & Fill Caulking Gun Adaptor NEW #160500 $8.99 |
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CAULKING GUN POUCH NEW HUSKY FREE SHIPPING $8.99 |
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CAULKING GUN 13” STEEL $9.00 |
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1/32″ x 5/8″ Slot Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $9.10 |
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Nylon Strap Frame Caulking Gun $9.37 |
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Pro Z #791 Caulking Gun with 30oz Cove Base Adhesive $9.50 |
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HD CAULKING GUN $9.73 |
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SKELETON STYLE CAULKING GUN $9.75 |
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3/32″ x 7/8″ Slot Metal Caulking Gun Nozzle $9.78 |
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ACE CAULKING GUN WITH QUICK RELEASE 12 $9.83 |
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SupaDec Skeleton Caulking Gun CG3 $9.80 |
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NEW! NEWBORN X-LITE Caulking Gun Non-Drip $9.95 |
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Quart Size Caulk Gun no. YD-127 $9.99 |
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CAULK Dental Compules tips Gun Dispensing, Good condition $9.99 |
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Air Caulking Gun $9.99 |
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10-ounce Professional Skeleton Caulking Gun $9.99 |
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Vintage Caulk Gun Vital Products Mfg. Company $9.99 |
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GAM Stop Flow Smooth Rod Caulking Gun CG00109 $9.99 |
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NEW Industrial COX 9-Inch Caulking Gun NO DRIP BREECH LOAD $9.99 |
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GAM Stop Flow Smooth Rod Caulking Gun CG00113 $9.99 |
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New MintCraft 1/4 Gallon Caulk Gun Smooth Rod $9.99 |
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10 oz Skelton Caulk Gun by Cox no. 41001 $9.99 |
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Sg Tool Aid 19300 Heavy Duty Caulking Gun $10.00 |
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10 SEMCO 4″ DISPOSABLE CAULKING GUN NOZZLES ~NEW~ $10.00 |
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WILMAR / PERFORMANCE TOOL PART NUMBER W54250 RATCHETING CAULKING GUN $10.10 |
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Dripless Caulk Gun $10.12 |
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GAM Stop Flow Smooth Rod Caulking Gun CG00129 $10.47 |
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DRAPER 14408 – DIY SERIES 280MM CAULKING GUN $10.32 |
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DRAPER 225MM CAULKING GUN $10.40 |
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Newborn Super Ratchet Type Caulking Gun 188 1/10GL $10.67 |
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MorrisProducts Caulking Gun 53266 $10.67 |
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GAM Ratchet Caulking Gun CG00124 $10.79 |
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Metal Strap Frame Caulking Gun $10.80 |
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TRACTOR PART NO:PRM29247.Caulking gun. For 5 oz “RIGHT STUFF” cartridges. $10.95 |
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Midwest Snips Wexford Caulk Gun, Fiberglass MW-21001 $10.99 |
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NEW 1/10gal Smth Rod Caulk Gun Each Caulk Guns DC012 039922620393 $11.00 |
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APPLICATOR CAULKING 12 INCH SAUSAGE COMBI GUN SILICONE SEALANT 450ML $11.05 |
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RATCHET STYLE CAULKING GUN $11.06 |
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DRAPER 225MM CAULKING GUN $10.89 |
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Silverline 523110 300 ml Rotating Caulking Gun $11.14 |
