How to caulk like a professional?

[PatDIY_Dad]

Hey all

I was wondering if anyone can give me tips on how to caulk as close to this professional look as possible

We got our alfresco enclosed with windows and glass sliding doors and the installer did this nice caulking

He missed two spots ( which we only actually noticed recently) and I cant get a hold of him to come back so I think ill just do it myself as its only 2 small sections on glass and black aluminium

I can caulk alright on walls and cabinets but when I tried this myself it looked terrible and a total mess when I smoothed it out

I gess it looked bad because the black against the glass stands out alot

I cleaned it all up before it cured but might try a small section again later but wanted to ask how I can acheive as close to this look as possible

He did that with a caulking gun 

[JacobZ]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad,

I worked with a glazier for a small amount of time, and the trick he taught me was to always keep a spray bottle with some Morning Fresh mixed with water nearby.

He would apply the silicone fairly liberally, not being too careful about how it looked to begin with, just making sure the gap is fully covered. He'd then spray the silicone with the dishwashing liquid and water, spray his Silicone Scraper with the same mix and then keep a paper towel in one hand, remove the excess with the scraper and wipe it off on the paper towel as he went along, reapplying soapy water when he needed to.

If you jump on YouTube and have a look for something along the lines of "soapy water and silicone", you should find some examples.

The soapy water helps the tool glide along the silicone without grabbing onto it. I was surprised by how effective it is.

Give this a try and see how you go.

Jacob

[PatDIY_Dad]

yeh I use soapy water but just ran it along with my finger and didnt scrap any excess off with a scraper

I got a piece of left over glass Ill practice on that

I did see this youtube vid to and it does it a little different but it looks really good

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ITR5VAHSyL8

[JacobZ]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad,

I have seen the technique in your video before, and it is a lot less foolproof. To get a bead like that without striking it off, they would need to be applying consistent pressure and moving at a perfectly consistent speed, which is extremely difficult. The person applying that bead of silicone either has a ton of experience or took quite a few takes to get the video they were after.

The scraper is a lot more foolproof and will help you get a more even bead on every window. Each corner is a different radius and shape, so maybe compare them against your other windows to select the one that's best for you.

A bit of practice will certainly go a long way. The glazier I worked with was a master, but he had been doing it for 20-odd years. It's all about moving at a steady pace with a steady hand.

You can also use a knife blade when the silicone has dried to tidy things up a bit if needed, just make sure you wear some gloves, so you don't cut yourself.

Jacob

[PatDIY_Dad]

Thanks

I really wish the tradie would be a good reliable one and come answer the phone to finish it off but thats too much to ask for !

[PatDIY_Dad]

I had to practice a few times but I got a better result doing the original youtube video method

[EricL]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad 

Very nice work! Just like the video, excellent execution!

Thanks for sharing.

Eric

[PatDIY_Dad]

Thanks

The section I did that was from floor to top was easy but man I was getting fustrated with the overhead section of the door. Caulking overhead is always awkward and its very hard to keep it steady

I had to clean it about 3 times and do it again but doing it this way made me realise what the tip is doing by pushing it forward instead of draging it. The tip is actually smooth it for you simaltenously and it does look like a good finish. I guess it also depends on the application