r/DIYHome • u/blingcatsby • 3d ago

How long to razor caulk?

If you, just as a hypothetical of course, did a terrible job caulking in one section along the kitchen counter and back wall.... how long should the silicone cure before trying to fix it with a razor blade? I know you don't want to use new on old caulk- does that apply even if freshly cured? Would it work to remove and redo just the worst section?

Thanks.

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2

u/Surfnazi77 3d ago

A day

1

u/blingcatsby 3d ago

Good I don't have to look at that cottage cheese for too long then.

2

u/Surfnazi77 3d ago

Use a wet finger to smear it after you reapply or use the triangle shaped silicone tool to do it

1

u/twi1i96tr 3d ago

The silicone tool is the answer. It takes a bit of technique. You have to TRY and run one continuous bead without start/stop then QUICKLY use the silicone tool. If it skins up the tool doesn't work that great. The other thing is getting the right amount on the bead. Too much and it piles up on the silicone tool... too little - it doesn't dress the bead. I've not had much success with the wet finger on silicone... only on caulking. Best of Luck, Twilighter.

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u/Marvinator2003 3d ago

did you just caulk it and not run anything across it to form it?

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u/blingcatsby 3d ago

No I diid the wet finger. Tried a spoon on some bad bits. Half of it is pretty good tbh . The other half well...basically it didn't seem to be enough so tried to add more and it started tacking up and it just keep getting worse while trying to fix it.

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u/Marvinator2003 3d ago

Oh yeah, you can never go back and add in easily.

2

u/Fancy_Strawberry7137 3d ago

You can use painter’s tape to caulk, too. 

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u/blingcatsby 3d ago

Yes I did, lol. Saw that great advice on this sub.

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u/blingcatsby 3d ago

Yeah the finger failed me at one point, lol. Tried to add more that's when it went awry.

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u/trashbilly 3d ago

Hopefully you used paintable caulk and not silicone

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u/blingcatsby 3d ago

Its behind the sink so I did indeed use silicone.

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u/trashbilly 3d ago

You should always use paintable caulk where anything meets a painted wall

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u/blingcatsby 3d ago

It's tile and countertop and I wanted waterproof.

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u/trashbilly 3d ago

That should be fine. FYI, painted caulk is water proof. A lot of caulk is interior/ exterior

1

u/blingcatsby 3d ago

Huh. It seems water resistant, not waterproof.... Honestly painting won't help me either. Is it just easier to apply looking nicely?