Caulking can very well be done without a gun if it is a minor job or if you are experienced. If you decide that you do not want to use a gun, you may want to opt for a
Cut open the caulk tube
Take your pruning shears (or a knife) and cut the tip of the tube about ¾” from the very top. Make sure to save the end that you cut off! You can adjust the width of your bead by cutting more or less of the tip. For example, if you only cut ¼” from the tip, your caulk bead will be much thinner.
For a homemade sealant finishing tool you can use the back of a plastic spoon along the caulk - or you can also carefully use the handle of an old toothbrush to do this. One last alternative is to use a wet rag to smooth out any sealants.
Caulking guns and Sealant guns are designed to hold a cartridge firmly, enabling the application of a smooth, controlled and straight line when sealing. Also known as a silicone gun or mastic gun they can be used with a wide range of cartridges and are available in a choice of sizes and designs.
The caulking tool are good for smoothing sealing lines and caulking lines which fit for most types of sealant, and they are suitable for any edge, corners, joints. Apply repeatedly: The caulking tools can use repeatedly and easy to tidy up, just clean them with a damp cloth and convenient to apply next time.
Caulking Tips
An index finger works fine when tooling a bead of water-based caulk. An ice cube is another alternative. It's best to tool silicone and polyurethane joints with a plastic spoon or a caulk tool. For poly caulk, wet the tool surface with solvent to get smooth results with this super-sticky material.
Just dip your finger into the liquid (make sure it's slippery) and then, with as little pressure as possible, run your finger along the line of silicone, smoothing it out as you go.
Insufficient sealant will mean that your seal is not strong enough to bond and may split along the joint. For this reason it's much better to push the caulking gun along the joint in order to ensure that enough sealant is applied to form a cohesive bond that is both air- and water-tight.
Pro Tip: When using caulk, poke a small hole in the bottom of the tube. This will depressurize the tube and allow more control over your work.
Smooth the Caulk Bead
For best results using a caulking tool: Lightly drag the caulk finishing tool over the bead to smooth it. Alternatively, you can use your finger. Moisten your fingertip in warm soapy water and drag it with light pressure along the length of the bead.
A sealant offers superior elasticity and water resistance because it primarily contains silicone. The silicone material allows a sealant to expand easily and contract during changing temperatures without losing its airtight/watertight seal.
While caulk is long-lasting on solid, unmoving surfaces, silicone sealant's flexibility means it lasts longer in areas with higher moisture. Using silicone sealant in a bathroom for sealing cracks in the tub and shower will create a more durable seal without needing to frequently re-apply.
Silicone adhesive sealant is versatile, but, unlike other adhesives, it must cure. Curing means letting it dry, and, although it is not necessarily a difficult process, it takes patience. Silicone adhesives can take as little as 24 hours to cure, but it may also take up to several days if the sealant is thick.
It's an easy DIY job, even if you've never caulked before. Follow these steps for the best technique and products. Before recaulking, clean the surfaces of the shower to remove any soap residue, mold or mildew.
Some tools make jobs that would otherwise be complicated and messy far easier, and a caulking gun is certainly one of them. Without the help of gun features like the frame and trigger, applying caulk becomes a tedious task with drips and uneven application.