Caulking/sealant tools

[RizzoTheRat]

Is there any tool for smoothing/shaping caulk or sealant that works better than a wet finger? I bought a funky shaped metal spatula thing the other day, and gave up and just used a wet finger instead for a lovely smooth seal between my skirting board and the wall.

[vetrof]

Try amazon, eg

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Caulking-Pro...

Last job I did, I used masking tape too. Game changer!

Edited by vetrof on Thursday 23 April 11:05

[unzippy]

There is a train of thought that says using a finger can introduce bacteria to your silicone, resulting in black mould.

https://diy.evo-stik.co.uk/help-advice/everything-...

[RizzoTheRat]

Hadn't heard the bacteria thing before but it does make sense. This is caulking that I'm going to paint over so should be OK though.

[Ste-EVo]

Ive heard of people using a lollypop stick, I've not tried it my self but I was planning on it when I reseal one of the shower cubical in the house.

Feel free to try that idea and report back.

Also, try and keep the nib of the caulk/sealant cartridge small (only allowing a small quantity of product out), I find putting too much on makes it harder to control.

Edited by Ste-EVo on Thursday 23 April 11:33

[blueg33]

The best tool is the Kramer Fugi tool set.



You also need wedge shaped not concave seals as produced by a finger so you have more sealant and water runs off rather than gathers.

The above tool and a vid on youtube about how to use it has transformed my silicone abilities from messy DIY finish to top end professional.

I also get much less messy and the sealant lasts for years.

[darreni]

blueg33 said:

The best tool is the Kramer Fugi tool set.



You also need wedge shaped not concave seals as produced by a finger so you have more sealant and water runs off rather than gathers.

The above tool and a vid on youtube about how to use it has transformed my silicone abilities from messy DIY finish to top end professional.

I also get much less messy and the sealant lasts for years.

Bang on, the kramer set is the best i've used. Order some of this too:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-ultracare-smooth-...

[J6542]

All the mastic men use shaped square dowel like this.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ykj4naim2mQ?si=RRmsZYZA...

[Simpo Two]

unzippy said:

There is a train of thought that says using a finger can introduce bacteria to your silicone, resulting in black mould.

Except mould is a fungus not a bacterium.

[Plus4Four#]

A tip I was given is to do two things....
Don't put too much caulk/silicon on, don't cut the applicator too big.
Try and apply in a single sweep, steady speed, watching the evenness.
Then use the above tools, matching the bead size and tool edge on the tool.

[GasEngineer]

These are as good as any: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0F6CJR6LV/ref...

£3.78 on Amazon and under £2 on eBay.

[blueg33]

Simpo Two said:

unzippy said:

There is a train of thought that says using a finger can introduce bacteria to your silicone, resulting in black mould.

Except mould is a fungus not a bacterium.

And there is loads of it on your hands. Its the yeast that makes sourdough bread rise

[blueg33]

J6542 said:

All the mastic men use shaped square dowel like this.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ykj4naim2mQ?si=RRmsZYZA...

That vid shows using soapy water. You don't need soapy water, it can damage the sealant and is unnecessary if you use the Kramer tools

[Glassman]

Cutting the nozzle to the right size and angle is important. Also, for some applications, squashing the end of the nozzle will help. Ultimately, it's about regulating the amount you go in with because shaping a finish with minimum waste will give you the best results.

Silicone, mastics and polyurethanes behave differently and have different curing mechanisms. Ambient temperature can also play a part in it.

A trick I sometimes use on flush-fitted windscreens that have an exposed urethane backfill is to use an open bottle. It gives just about enough of a concave finish and the idea of using a bottle means the waste is scooped up into it as you go along.

[119]

Old friend of mine used to fit windows for a living and it used to really piss me off that all he did was cut the angle off the nozzle and got a dead straight and smooth bead every single time without the need for any fancy tools or using his finger ever.

Bastid.

[timberman]

darreni said:

blueg33 said:

The best tool is the Kramer Fugi tool set.



You also need wedge shaped not concave seals as produced by a finger so you have more sealant and water runs off rather than gathers.

The above tool and a vid on youtube about how to use it has transformed my silicone abilities from messy DIY finish to top end professional.

I also get much less messy and the sealant lasts for years.

Bang on, the kramer set is the best i've used. Order some of this too:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-ultracare-smooth-...

I've got the same set,

I used to faff about with masking tape and a cheaper tool I probably got from B&Q or similar which started to fall apart after a few uses

no need for masking tape with this,
it leaves a nice clean edge, then a quick clean with some soapy water and an old tooth brush and it's ready to go again.

[mart 63]

Ste-EVo said:

Ive heard of people using a lollypop stick, I've not tried it my self but I was planning on it when I reseal one of the shower cubical in the house.

Feel free to try that idea and report back.

Also, try and keep the nib of the caulk/sealant cartridge small (only allowing a small quantity of product out), I find putting too much on makes it harder to control.

Edited by Ste-EVo on Thursday 23 April 11:33

This, silicone were needed, spray soapy water over silicone and run a lollipop stick along silicone. The silicone won't stick where you spray. Ive been using this method for many years with a perfect outcome
It won't work with caulk or any waterbased sealant. Ive a good finger for that.

[Aluminati]

blueg33 said:

J6542 said:

All the mastic men use shaped square dowel like this.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ykj4naim2mQ?si=RRmsZYZA...

That vid shows using soapy water. You don't need soapy water, it can damage the sealant and is unnecessary if you use the Kramer tools

Whilst taking into account you are a knowledgeable chap, on this occasion we need to disagree.

My favourite mastic man has a selection of sticks he keeps in a jar of soapy water. Dragging a stick across mastic is not all it’s about. Tooling it into a recess that will occur is also required. I had him do nearly 200 yds of alloy roof flashing at Brent Cross once, it was mesmerising to watch. Gun finish is useless, it needs to be tooled in.

[blueg33]

Aluminati said:

blueg33 said:

J6542 said:

All the mastic men use shaped square dowel like this.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ykj4naim2mQ?si=RRmsZYZA...

That vid shows using soapy water. You don't need soapy water, it can damage the sealant and is unnecessary if you use the Kramer tools

Whilst taking into account you are a knowledgeable chap, on this occasion we need to disagree.

My favourite mastic man has a selection of sticks he keeps in a jar of soapy water. Dragging a stick across mastic is not all it s about. Tooling it into a recess that will occur is also required. I had him do nearly 200 yds of alloy roof flashing at Brent Cross once, it was mesmerising to watch. Gun finish is useless, it needs to be tooled in.

Hmm. Kramer tool but soapy water …. No, it’s not necessary

[RizzoTheRat]

Looking at those Cramer Fugi kits, they specifically talk about silicon, has anyone used one with an acrylic caulk?

blueg33 said:

Hmm. Kramer tool but soapy water . No, it s not necessary

Surely you could equally say the Cramer tool isn't necessary because you can do the job with a stick and soapy water, different tools, same effect. A premade tool is going to be simpler for an amateur though.