Q&A for How to Use a Caulking Gun

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Question

Should I smooth out the line of caulk?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

You don't have to, especially if you're happy with the bead you put down. However, if not, you can wet your finger and use it to smooth down the caulk before it dries.

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Question

How do you remove old caulking?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

You can buy a plastic caulk removal tool from Home Depot or Lowe's. It helps you pull out the caulking.

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Question

Can I use an Olfa knife to remove the old caulk?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

An Olfa knife helps remove old caulk. It has a super-sharp thin blade that can get all the caulking out.

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Question

How do I use a caulking gun?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

Cut the tube tip to the size you need and then stick a wire in the hole to break the seal. Insert the caulk tube into the open side of the gun, positioning the tube over the round plate. Make sure the grooves on the rod are facing down. Begin squeezing the handle until the caulk begins to flow.

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Question

How do I adjust flow?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

You can adjust the flow by the amount of pressure you apply to the trigger. There are pneumatic-type guns that are used mainly on civil or commercial-type projects.

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Question

How do I remove a caulk tube from a caulk gun?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

You will want to first pull the rod on the back of the gun all the way out. If the tube is still not coming out, push the entire tube up towards the tip of the gun, it may just be stuck in the gun.

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Question

Is silicone better for filling the holes of a metal sheet?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

You can also use a water-based caulking. You'll want to use a clear finish and make sure it's for outside that it's good for the exterior.

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Question

Do I push or pull the caulk gun while running a bead?

Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.

Mark Spelman

Construction Professional

Expert Answer

You will be squeezing the handle, which will push the plate through the tube. When removing the tube, you will want to pull the rod out.

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