I am updating my half bathroom. I have removed wallpaper and prepped the walls for painting (removed all wallpaper glue, patched and surfaced with joint compound, and primed). I want to re-caulk the baseboards before I paint the walls. The present caulk has been there for about 15 years. I have used use a razor knife and putty knife to remove some of the caulk. Does anyone have better ways to remove the old caulk? I have "heard" that a special tool exists that makes this job easier and more efficient. Is this true and if so, what is it? Thanks in advance.

There are caulk removal tools, I use the same tools you are usually. A 5-in-one or a putty knife and razor usually do the trick.

caulk-rite, caulk removal, caulk smoother, caulking tools, bathroom caulk removal (http://www.installersstore.com/cgi-bin/INSstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=15-0012)

There are caulk removal tools, I use the same tools you are usually. A 5-in-one or a putty knife and razor usually do the trick.

caulk-rite, caulk removal, caulk smoother, caulking tools, bathroom caulk removal (http://www.installersstore.com/cgi-bin/INSstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=15-0012)

Thank you for such a prompt response. Can you please elaborate on what a "5-in-1" is?

Well, there is a real easy way, but expensive, but it works like a charm. It's like a Dremel too for home repairs. I got the tool locally at Woodworking tools, supplies, plans, projects, accessories, articles and more - Woodcraft.com (http://www.woodcraft.com).

C. & E. FEIN GmbH - Der FEIN MULTIMASTER (http://www.fein.de/fein-multimaster/us/en/applications/index.html)

Look under the tile applications. There is a flexible and rigid knife blade available for the tool. I have both.

The tool oscillates (0-10,000 osc/min) rather than cuts and makes very little dust. Some models are variable speed.

Lately, I've been using it for detail sanding.

It is a painting tool, like a putty knife but has more uses (5 I guess)

How to Use a 5-in-1 Tool (http://www.ronhazelton.com/tips/5-in-1_Tool.htm)

The Multimaster tool Keepitsimple mentions is a great tool, I want one but haven't shelled out the $400 for it yet.

Hopefully the pic came through just go to Lowe's or home depot or any hardware store and ask for a 5 in one . This pic came from home depot about 6 dollars. These are worth the few dollars many times over. GOOD LUCK, AC

Besides elbow grease and the mentioned tools, there is actually a caulk removing product sold at home improvement stores that will dissolve old caulk but you have to let it do it's job and not get anxious. Depends on whether you have old caulk, or glue, or various other products people use to fill cracks and holes.

I am updating my half bathroom. I have removed wallpaper and prepped the walls for painting (removed all wallpaper glue, patched and surfaced with joint compound, and primed). I want to re-caulk the baseboards before I paint the walls. The present caulk has been there for about 15 years. I have used use a razor knife and putty knife to remove some of the caulk. Does anyone have better ways to remove the old caulk? I have "heard" that a special tool exists that makes this job easier and more efficient. Is this true and if so, what is it? Thanks in advance.


Thanks to all who answered this, they were a great help. I got all of the old caulk removed and put fresh caulk on the baseboards. It looks SO much better. Now I need to paint.