This is a simple but effective trick when it comes to caulking seams.
Cut a plastic bottle bottom off a Coke bottle, soap bottle, etc., leaving a couple inches of height. Fill with Dawn or your favorite generic liquid dishwashing soap.
Prepare and caulk the applicable seam as appropriate. Once a section is completed, dip a finger into the liquid dishwashing liquid and run down the bead of caulk. The excess caulk won’t stick to the soap and you can wipe the excess off on a paper towel, leaving a smooth, professional finish.
Can’t take credit for this, as it was taught to me by the owner of Bayshore Boats. But it works well, looks good and minimizes caulk waste.
For 3M 5200/ 4200 I use WD-40 on a rag and just rub my finger on the rag every time I pick it up off the bead. You’ll never have to worry about getting that devilish adhesive everywhere it shouldn’t be! It also cleans it off tools and anything else. You can use WD-40 to clean adhesive residue off anything after you remove a decal or sticker too. It’s what I use on my pickup system filter housing and bowl to get the adhesive off and make it all shiny for the customer.
Great tip Zika. Mineral spirits is a great clean up product too and doesn’t degrade the sealant/ caulk like acetone. Doesn’t do well with 100% silicone though. Granted this is what I look like after throwing a couple dabs of 4000 on some screws.
Kinda off topic but way back in the day in a construction site, the first can of spray foam hit the market, the crew was doing just fine filling holes and cracks. The bug boss shows up and is unimpressed. He grabs a can from one of us, starts spraying and the can top blows off and sprays him from head to toe. We’re all new to this product and tell him its better ti leave it and let it expand, should come off easier than spreading it around. He looked just like that photo. Lmfao he didnt butt in after that day.
