A great caulking job isn’t just about sealing a gap. Neat, consistent silicone joints can make the entire bathroom, kitchen or wet area look professionally finished.
Whether you’re sealing around a bath, basin, vanity, benchtop or shower, good preparation and the right application technique can make all the difference.
Here are our tips for achieving a clean, professional silicone finish.
Good preparation is one of the most important parts of caulking.
Before applying silicone, make sure the surface is clean, completely dry and free from dust, dirt, grease and loose particles.
A clean surface helps the silicone bond correctly and prevents dust and dirt from being picked up and smeared through the fresh silicone.
If you’re replacing an existing silicone joint, remove the old silicone and properly clean and prepare the surfaces before applying the new sealant.
The size of your nozzle opening has a big impact on how much silicone you apply.
Cut the nozzle to suit the width of the joint you’re caulking. Starting with a smaller opening gives you greater control—you can always make the opening larger if required.
Cutting too much from the nozzle can result in excessive silicone being applied, creating more work when it’s time to finish the joint.
Try to fill the joint with a smooth, consistent bead rather than applying more silicone than you need.
Maintaining steady pressure on the caulking gun and moving at a consistent speed will help produce an even bead.
Applying the right amount also makes the silicone much easier to tool and finish.
After all, nobody wants to spend their time cleaning up excess silicone!
Maintaining the correct angle helps control where the silicone is being applied and keeps the bead consistent.
This becomes more difficult when you’re working behind basins, beside vanities, around baths or in tight corners where the caulking gun can’t be positioned normally.
For these applications, an extension caulking nozzle or angled corner nozzle can make it much easier to reach the joint while maintaining control of the gun.
Once the silicone has been applied, it needs to be tooled to create a neat finish and ensure the sealant is properly formed against the adjoining surfaces.
Some professional applicators use a light mist of a suitable tooling solution to help prevent excess silicone sticking to surrounding surfaces during finishing.
A diluted, non-citrus dishwashing liquid is sometimes used for this purpose. However, silicone formulations vary, so always check the sealant manufacturer’s instructions or technical data sheet before using detergents, sprays or other tooling solutions.
Using the correct finishing technique will help create a smooth, clean-looking joint without spreading silicone over surrounding surfaces.
Trying to reach an awkward joint while holding the caulking gun at an uncomfortable angle can make it much harder to maintain a consistent bead.
If the standard nozzle won’t reach, change the setup rather than fighting the caulking gun.
Proline Sealants Extension Nozzles can be screwed together when additional reach is required, making them ideal for difficult areas such as behind basins, baths and vanities.
For awkward corners and changes in direction, a 45–90° Corner Nozzle can help position the silicone where it needs to go without having to position the entire caulking gun at the same angle.
Don’t expose freshly applied silicone to water or cleaning products before it has had sufficient time to cure.
While some products may be ready for use within 24 hours, curing times can vary depending on the type of silicone, bead size, temperature and humidity.
Always follow the curing time specified by the silicone manufacturer.
Using the area too soon can interfere with the seal before it has fully cured.
Once your silicone is cured, choosing the right cleaning products is also important.
Some harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners can potentially damage, discolour or deteriorate silicone over time.
Before using a cleaning product around caulked areas, check its instructions and make sure it is suitable for the silicone and surrounding surfaces.
Regular gentle cleaning can also help prevent soap residue, grime and mould from building up around silicone joints.
Caulking may be one of the final stages of a project, but it’s also one of the most visible.
You can have beautifully installed tiles, cabinetry and fixtures, but messy silicone joints can detract from the entire finished job.
Take your time, prepare the surfaces properly, use the correct amount of silicone and choose the right nozzle for the application.
A clean caulking job is the finishing touch that brings the whole area together.
Sometimes good technique isn’t enough—the standard silicone nozzle simply can’t reach the joint.
Proline Sealants’ range of Extension Nozzles, 45–90° Corner Nozzles and Poly Gun Nozzles has been designed to make those difficult caulking applications easier.
Screw together. Reach further. Get the job done.