How to caulk properly

Caulking- a great winter project!

Caulking on a boat is no different than caulking anywhere else. And the damage resulting from failed caulking is just as bad – mold, and rot! We had noticed that the caulking around the tub was starting to fail – it was peeling off in places and missing in other. So Kristine put on her rain boats and walked up to the local Home Depot to buy some Kitchen and Bath caulking. Don’t think for a minute you always need marine stuff, just because you are on a boat! Usually it is just over priced and not any different!

Before you start your caulking project, make sure you have painters tape, a scraping tool (a plastic putty knife is ideal), some paper towel and a garbage bag.

Step 1: Scrap away all the old caulking.  We recommend using a plastic putty knife because it would scratch anything. Once all the caulking is removed, clean the area and make sure it is dry. If water is weep out from where you removed the caulking, leave it for a day or so until it is dry. If you caulk too soon you run the risk of sealing water into your water, which may cause damage.

Step 2: Use painter’s tape to above and below the crack you want to caulk. The painters tape will unsure you have nice clean caulking lines.

Step 3: Cut the caulking tube open on an angle – this makes it easier to control where the caulking goes. Then hold the tube so that the opening is directly on the crack. Try your best the squeeze the caulking out evenly – you need enough to fill between the tape lines but not too much or you will have a mess! It works best if you can caulk  the entire length without stopping.

Step 4: Use your finger to press the caulking into the crack and to make a smooth surface. This is critical or your caulking my not completely fill the crack, which will cause it to fail sooner. The pressure also removes any air bubbles that may have formed as you were squeezing.

Step 5:  Remove the tape! Right away, before the caulking even begins to dry! This is why you need a garbage bag handy. Caulking on painter’s tape = messy!

Voila- You a finished!  Enjoy your handy work, pat yourself on the back and wait at least 24 hrs before getting the area wet.