How to silicone: Applying sealants like a pro

The first step in learning how to silicone is choosing a gun. Like anything else, caulk guns vary in quality. Here are a few features to look for when selecting a caulk gun.

Try it out without a sealant tube in it and make sure the trigger works smoothly and releases properly. A nice feature that some guns have is that they automatically release pressure when you let off the trigger. Some guns are equipped with a rigid wire on the bottom that can be used to puncture the seal inside the tube.

Now let’s cover how to do sealing.

Learning how to silicone is easy with a bit of direction. Grab your gun and the tube you’re going to use and follow these simple steps:

1. Insert the tube into the caulk gun and push the plunger up until it stops inside the bottom of the tube.
2. Cut the nozzle end of the tube. You’ll notice that it narrows towards the end, so cut it at the place where it will deliver the width of bead you’re after. It’s usually best to cut at about a 45-degree angle.
3. If there’s a foil seal at the end of the tube (inside the nozzle), use a long nail or piece of wire to puncture it.
4. Now, hold the nozzle at the place where you want to begin and gently squeeze the trigger. Try to use an even pressure as you move the gun along the gap or seam you are filling.
5. Stop the flow of sealant by releasing the trigger. It may be necessary to pull back on the plunger arm just a bit to release pressure.
6. Now, using a finger, rag, or caulking tool, wipe along the bead you just put down. This will smooth it out and seal the edges of the bead.