Why am I having problems smearing caulk every where when I'm trying to lay it down
There must be a secret to an even caulk link
Gosh I feel like a dummy sometimes so thanks for your help

A simple thing you can try when using caulk is try cutting the tip on a 45 deg angle and make a smaller cut so only a small amount of caulk comes out. They have all these silicone caulk spreaders that will put down different sized beads you can purchase cheaply, but what I find that makes a good even bead is a wet finger. I will wet my finger with my tongue then press it in place and drag in along and it will leave a nice bead behind. Something about the saliva that makes a nice even bead. Use different fingers or clean well before reusing, water doesn't work only saliva or for evening out an uneven bead. Been doing it for years.
And works well.
Good Luck Bill

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by granbour

Why am i haveing problems smearing caulk every where when i'm trying to lay it down
There must be a secret to an even caulk link
Gosh i feel like a dummy sometimes so thanks for your help

---

It depends on what you're using as to how easy it is. I use Dap White Tub and Tile Caulk. This is a water soluble caulk that comes in a tube. I run a bead of Dap around the fixture in question and then wipe around the bead with my finger forcing ithe caulk in the gap. I finish by cleaning the area with a damp cloth wiping up any excess. If there's a rim I reun a bead on the rim and flop ir over onto the fixture bending the tabs in to secure it the fixture. I then take a run another bead on the counter top where the rim will set. I then drop the sink or lavatory in the counter top and do the finger and wet cloth thingy. Good luck and I don't think you're a dummy at all. Tom PS; I don't "spit" on anything when I'm working.

If you are using a silicone base caulk the saliva doesn't stick to the silicone leaving a smooth finish.. Nor do I "spit" on anything when I work, or even imply that I do in my answer to the question. Applying saliva to a finger tip is far from spitting on work and resent the implication that I do and am somehow a sloppy worker, when all I was trying to do was offer some simple yet effective advise that does work, you don't like it fine don't use it but its effective, I had used it when applying it to aircraft antennas for years when smooth finishes are not only necessary but mandatory in aviation where dap tub caulk isn't allowed.
Bill

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BRycraft

If you are using a silicone base caulk the saliva doesn't stick to the silicone leaving a smooth finish..Nor do I "spit" on anything when I work, or even imply that I do in my answer to the question. Applying saliva to a finger tip is far from spitting on work and resent the implication that I do and am somehow a sloppy worker, when all I was trying to do was offer some simple yet effective advise that does work, you don't like it fine don't use it but its effective, I had used it when applying it to aircraft antennas for years when smooth finishes are not only necessary but mandatory in aviation where dap tub caulk isn't allowed.
Bill

---

I don't buy applying salvia on your finger tip while applying RTV to aircraft antennas, I am in avaition for the last 49 years and still am, Tom have given very good advice, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BRycraft

If you are using a silicone base caulk the saliva doesn't stick to the silicone leaving a smooth finish..Nor do I "spit" on anything when I work, or even imply that I do in my answer to the question. Applying saliva to a finger tip is far from spitting on work and resent the implication that I do and am somehow a sloppy worker, when all I was trying to do was offer some simple yet effective advise that does work, you don't like it fine don't use it but its effective, I had used it when applying it to aircraft antennas for years when smooth finishes are not only necessary but mandatory in aviation where dap tub caulk isn't allowed.
Bill

---

Hey Bill! Don't be so touchy! Just making a joke. Can't stay serious all the time on this job. Got to have fun where you find it. Using spit on Silicon may very well work just dandy. Never caulked a sink or toilet with it but if I ever do I'll be surre to use your method. There! Does that sooth those hurt feelings? I hope so. You gave a good answer and I wouldn't want you to feel that it went unappreciated , because it was. Stick around Bill and work with us. All the other experts are much nicer then me. Regards and welcome to The Plumbing Page. Tom

Sorry when reading you can never tell then tone of it and since I am new to this forum I am a little sensitive and only because the Last time I joined a forum like this and this is a first since then I was the new guy to what was more like a club and I was unaware of the "club" and lets say they didn't want any "new" opinions and I was unwelcome to say the least and was brutalized when I gave a different point of view and was ganged up on immediately. Bad choice of words...
About John's opinion above who doesn't buy smoothing RTV. I haven't been in aviation for 49 years but have worked as an Aviation mechanic for Delta airlines line maintenance and have used the saliva method all the time taught to me by old timers as I did not invented this method, it works great, if John doesn't use it or has never tried it so be it, I would not say it works if it doesn't what would I have to gain giving information that is useless? doesn't mean it doesn't work, it truly does because when nothing else will do the saliva on RTV does wonders because it doesn't stick to the fingers, yes the build up will stick to the fingers as you remove the excess but the remainder will be a smooth bead around the base of whatever you are applying it to. John I encourage you to try it if you have not. I apologize Tom for being so Touchy please accept my apology, if you read some of my other responses to other posts I really am new and am trying not to just get answers to some questions I posted but to give advise to questions that I know have helped me in similar situations, I have no agenda to give false information. I just had flashbacks to that other forum when I was ran out of town... lol
Thanks for being understanding... Bill

We hear you Bill. I was new a few years ago and it took awhile to get the feel of how certain desks work. I still wet my finger to spread caulk but stopped touching my tongue or mouth when working on people's toilets, just never know what's taken place in that room before. LOL

Hello Bill welcome to the plumbing page, FYI I have used RTV many times, but have never used the saliva, I don't mean that you are wrong but it is not good practice, keep up the good job.

Bob have stated very well, Thanks.

John

Using your mouth to finger on toilet jobs is what separate's the men from the boys and the boys from the anti-biotics.. lol Yea I probably wouldn't be using this technique on those situations. I also avoid using the same finger over to avoid putting germs back in my mouth, then again the surface of a Boeing 767 is probably just a wee bit cleaner then some strangers bathroom sink let alone toilet unless there are blue streaks all over the place... lol I would opt for using different fingers unless its my own home then I would agree that its not the best practice if you are a plumber making a living in strangers homes.
I myself am not a plumber so I appreciate the welcome to this forum,
Actually ballengerb1 you gave me the answer to my broken closet flange earlier this week that was spot on. I don't try to overstep my bounds of knowledge only try to apply my area of experience where it seems appropriate or what has worked for me. Hey ballengerb1 don't put your snow blower away we are expecting snow tonight..
All of you guys have been great...
Now how did this thread start?. lol...

I see that BRycraft, 3-6" depending where you live. Where are you BR?

Bolingbrook around Boughton and 355 how about you...

You should be less than 3", Rockford is going to catch holly heck. I'm on the far north side of Wheaton but need to drive to Galena tomorrow, crap.

So much for March going out like a Lamb, yea a lamb with rabies.. lol
You are driving right into the teeth of that lamb, hope they miss the mark on this one. Its already raining here.
Know Wheaton well, sister works for the Dupage jail. Small world isn't it...
Have a safe trip... Nice chatting with you...
Bill
I appreciate everyone here understanding my being new to this forum and my "etiquette" it's a real relief that not everyone is like everyone if that makes any sense...

Greetings Gentlemen, Born in Rockford and raised in Beloit. We moved to Sarasota 54 years ago when my father retired and sold his plumbing shop and supply house.
Been back twice to bury my parents and the next time I make it up where it snows will be in a box. Let's see it was 82 degrees today and sunny. I feel for you guys up there in Illinois. I'd send you up some sunshine and warm breezes but haven't figured how to box them up. Stay warm!! Tom

Today my weather bug says it's a balmy 39 and rainy, think I might go for a swim (at the health club)... lol hear comes the sun, oh wait I think that's Mondays forecast or Tuesday, wind just blew over my garbage can...

You're going to fit in just 'peachy keen" BR. You may not be a plumber but I like your style.

Granbour: I may be too late with my post, but anyway...

Not everybody can caulk with satisfactory results. They make it look too easy on TV commercials.

First: you have to decide if you want to use Silicone Based Caulk or Latex (water soluable) caulking.

Cut off only small tip of the tube tip. Cut it off at 45 degree angle. Make nice and clean cut. Squeeze it as you drag it along side of the edge of tub making sure you don't apply too little or too much. Do it in sections, preferably from corner to corner. Then, wet your finger and go over it without pushing onto fresh bead too much. You will create nice coving. If you want smaller profile coving, push more on the bead. With water soluble caulkings you have about 5 minutes work time. Learn to go over it once, twice - and leave it to set. Once it starts setting - don't touch it or you ruin it. It is almost impossible to fix it nice once it is set and applied.

Silicone is applied in same fashion, but: Here, clean, dust free, dry, oil free base is a must. Absolutely NO water or moisture can be present. No compromise here. Put Denaturated Alcohol to a spray bottle. Spray entire area with it. Take clean clothe and whipe it dry and clean. Apply caulking, Again, watch how much you are applying: too little is bad, too much is even worse. Once you have applied new bead take the spray bottle with Denaturated Alcohol, gently spray the fresh bead and go over it with your finger. But here, you have lot less work-time than you've had with Latex caulk. Work fast. Smooth it only once, twice and leave it. Do not touch it again. Protect it . Silicon starts to set very fast. Important: Allow to cure for at least 72 hours - and more. Otherwise, it will not adhere well...

Much obliged..

Hey are we back on the silicone debate again?
Sometime I wet my toe when I run out of fingers... lol


Anyone want to help out a thread that has someone asking how to remove a old shower diverter. Here is the link. I obviously didn't give him advise that was useful, so time to ask those who know a heck of a lot more then I do... Can one of you guys help this person out please..
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbi...er-334933.html

Thanks Bill

BRycraft: welcome aboard. We are aware of that post and are working with the poster.