I use widh soap diluted with water, the silicone won't stick to it. I put down painters tape first and then remove it as soon as i'm done smoothing the caulk. It makes a smooth strait line every time.
The soap prevents the silicone sealant from sticking to your finger. You can also apply some soapy water with a plant spray. Remove any remaining traces of sealant with the soapy water.
Smoothing the area. This can sometimes be tricky, but the water and washing up liquid mixture make things much easier. 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.
Smooth the Joint
Wet your finger with either rubbing alcohol (for silicone caulk) or water (for latex caulk). Also, dampen a corner of a cloth rag with either water or alcohol, as appropriate. The alcohol or water will serve as a lubricant and thinning agent as you smooth the joint.
To smooth silicone caulk, just lay down a nice bead with your caulk gun, then spray a mist of rubbing alcohol on the bead. (The spray head from many different products will fit on the alcohol bottle.)
Step 1: Wash With Soap and Water
The best way to clean a PMD Pro or any other silicone brush is with soap and warm water. Use any mild soap, though the best choice would be one designed for facial cleansing.
You Can Use a Finger
Once you finish squeezing a water-based caulk into a gap or crack, you can smooth the bead by moistening your finger with water and running it along the line of the caulk. Do not let your finger become too caked with the caulk as you do this, as this will not result in a smooth finish.
Nevertheless, it can retain odours from dishwashing detergents and food, particularly when not rinsed thoroughly or washed with very hot water. Silicone can also absorb smells from other products if stored in a close proximity.
Can silicone be submerged in water? Yes, silicone is not adversely affected by prolonged submersion in either fresh or salt water.
I've used the windex / finger technique in the past to smooth out caulk. The ammonia smell sucks and I recently tried a cup of half water / half baby bath soap. No spray, just dip a finger, and smooth out the caulk joint.It seems to work great, keeps my hands clean and is less expensive than windex.
There are several substances you can use to soften the silicone caulking. Among the easiest and most affordable are vinegar, alcohol, and WD-40.
You can make the job a bit eaiser by soaking the cloth in methylated spirits. The methylated spirits act as a solvent, breaking down the last of the silicone, making it less sticky and easier to wipe up.
Leave for 3 hours. Gently scrape away the silicone sealant using a strong plastic tool. Clean the area with a dry cloth.
Tape the Area for Caulking
Caulking with tape along the surface will help produce an attractive finish. Apply painter's tape to mask off areas around the joint where the caulk should not appear. This will give you a straight line of caulk and will improve the final appearance.
Can I apply new silicone atop, or alongside old silicone caulk? It is recommended that any old silicone is removed. While new, freshly applied silicone can be applied & will bond to old silicone – the bond isn't as strong as if it were applied to a clean surface.
Versatile: Silicone can withstand both hot and cold temperatures. Also resistant to age, sunlight, moisture and chemicals.
When the caulk gets wet, it will not cure properly. The formula that makes up your caulk will not be able to dry and cure or bond to the surface to that you have applied it. Not being able to dry in a timely manner will prevent the caulk from creating a proper seal.
To get rid of the final sealant residue use white spirit or undiluted sugar soap with a cloth or kitchen scourer sponge for more stubborn areas.
Palmolive Ultra Soft Touch Liquid Dish Soap
The Ultra formula is also very strong and can handle grease, burnt-on food, and even dishes that have been left for 24 hours. Plus, it won't leave any residue or film on your dishes, a noticeable benefit compared to some other formulas meant to leave your hands extra soft.