How To: Finish Trim Caulking

[David Frandsen]

When doing "finish caulking" (baseboard, crown molding, door trim, ect.) the last thing you want is to be wiping away loads of excess caulking. To avoid this I like to use a small tube of caulk that requires no caulking-gun to operate. I prefer the DAP kitchen and bath caulking. The trick is to use a pair of side cutting pliers to pinch/cut the end so you get a nice small hole. This will leave zero excess caulking. Apply and then follow up once with your finger or wet rag. 

That's my tip for a mess free caulk job while doing finish work. 

-David F.

[Bill Gulley]

Do you have stock in DAP? I make a small hole in the caulk tube with a finish nail and wipe with a vasoline coated finger, keeps caulk from sticking to you, better yet, get a box of surgical gloves or hospital gloves and toss it when done.

DAP is good stuff, easy to control, but you'll always have some clean up to push the bead in the gap to be sealed. Laying a bead on top doesn't last as long as getting a good bond in the craves to be filled.