A good sealant finish is vital in order to ensure an impervious, durable seal. It’s also important for aesthetic reasons—hastily or inexpertly applied sealant can be an unsightly blemish on your home.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take and products and tools you can use to achieve a flawless sealant finish that will look and perform as though it were done by a professional. Discover how to make a good sealant finish in 5 steps in this article from the experts at Adfast.
Step 1 – Clean the surface
The first step to ensuring a good sealant finish is cleaning the surface properly before getting started. If any old sealant remains on the surface, it will need to be removed before you can proceed. Applying new sealant to a dirty surface or over top of old sealant won’t provide a good seal.
To remove old sealant, make an incision along the full length of the seal, running the blade as close to the wall as possible without cutting it. Pull as much of the sealant as you can away, then scrape off any bits of silicone that are still stuck to the surface. Take your time and work carefully to avoid scratching or damaging the surface.
Then, clean the surface with a cloth soaked in an alcohol-based cleaning product. The product will break down the last of the silicone residue, making it easy to wipe off. Let the surface dry for at least 20 mins and make sure that the cleaning agent has evaporated completely before you continue.
Step 2 – Prime the surface
Primer is designed to increase the adhesion between the sealant and the surface. Using primer to prepare the surface will give you a stronger seal, particularly if you’re applying sealant to a substrate that is difficult to adhere to.
Note that primer is not a replacement for properly cleaning the surface. Rather, cleaning and priming should be used in conjunction for best results.
Step 3 – Use backer rods if necessary
Sealant should not be used to fill large gaps. Generally speaking, any gaps over half an inch deep and a quarter of an inch wide will require backer rods to help fill the space before sealant can be applied. Backer rods are flexible foam cylinders that come in a range of sizes and are designed specifically to fill gaps in joints that need to be sealed.
Step 4 – Apply the sealant
When applying sealant, it’s best to use a caulking gun to create a professional-looking seal. The gun will give you more control over the application and the amount of sealant you use, and many different types of nozzles are available for hard-to-reach areas.
When it’s time to apply the sealant, insert the cartridge into the caulking gun and cut the tip at a 45-degree angle. Cut close to the base to create a wide line of sealant, or nearer to the tip for a narrow line. Apply two to three feet of sealant at a time to give yourself a chance to shape it before it begins to cure.
Step 5 – Shape the sealant
If you want your sealant to have a neat, professional-looking finish, it’s important to shape it after applying it. This will allow you to remove any excess sealant, achieve the ideal thickness and smooth out the surface of the seal.
There are a variety of caulking tools available for shaping sealant, including shaping tools and wooden sticks in a range of sizes. Make sure to choose one that is wide enough to span the gap that the sealant is going to fill. Position your shaping tool at an angle that allows it to slide across the surface easily and move it gently in a straight line.
Adfast: Everything you need for a good sealant finish
Achieving a neat sealant finish doesn’t start and end with applying the sealant. Steps must be taken before and after application to ensure smooth, aesthetically-pleasing results and an optimal seal.
Adfast is a leading provider of sealants and caulking accessories for residential and commercial use. We have everything you need to create professional-quality seals. Check out our product range online or contact us for more information!
