Setting Up the Caulking Gun

• Caulking is applied using a caulking gun. The plunger on the gun is pulled as far back as it will go or you can use a trigger gun. The tube of caulk is placed into the gun with the flat end of the tube at the back of the gun, near the plunger or trigger. Cut the tip of the caulking tube at a 45-degree angle. The closer to the tip you make the cut, the smaller the bead of caulk. If you make the cut at a wider part of the tip, you'll have a thicker bead.
  
  

Applying the Caulk

• The tip of the caulking tube is placed on the surface to be caulked, with the tip touching the surface. Use one hand to hold the gun and the other hand to depress the plunger or press the trigger while slowly pulling the gun backward towards you to lay the bead. Try not to stop and start during the application or you'll have thick or thin bead spots. The 45-degree angle cut helps you get into tight corners.
  
  

Silverware

• Butter knives or spoons will work for smoothing caulking. If you use a spoon, you need to wet the spoon with soapy water and run the backside across the caulking to give the caulking a smooth finish. The butter knife is a bit harder to use, but you need to wet the grip end of the knife and run it across the bead of caulk at a 45-degree angle to smooth.
  
  

Fingers

• Instead of using silverware or a caulking tool to smooth the bead of caulk, you can use your finger. The finger you use must be clean or you'll leave dirt on the caulking. After washing your hands, wet a finger with water and run it across the bead of caulk to smooth. If you have a long fingernail, you'll need to trim the nail so it doesn't leave an imprint in the caulking.