I saw this in a post written by Sam Shields in response to a members question here on HTF, I think it’s a GREAT tip, so I put it here into our “Tips and tricks” area.

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A trick I use when caulking, is to spray my finger with a silicone spray before wiping up any extra caulk, then wiping the extra caulk off your finger with a paper towel is very easy. This will also give you a smoother finish.

Some people use water but I think the spray works much better. With a little caution and a light touch you can make the job look like a pro did it!
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Sam prefers using silicone caulk, he uses clear because it's hard to match all the different shades of white. He likes the DAP brand, and recommends that the outside temperature be at least 50 degrees.

I'm looking forward to trying this, last week I re-caulked part of our Hi-Lo, and boy!, that stuff is a pip to get off of your hands!

Neal

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2001 Hi-Lo 22TL
2010 F150

You can also use a liquid detergent,that also works very good.

And, you can use nitrile gloves. I find I'm using them for all sorts of messy jobs now. Probably, you could spray the glove finger with silicone if you like to reuse the glove like I do (I'm Scottish).

- Jack

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Hi-Lo 1707T
2005 F150 4x4 KR SCrew

when caulking, we used to spit on our finger and smooth the bead until caulk would stick to your finger, then wipe your finger on a paper towel, then repeat the process. sounds gross but it worked. also when applying cauk in hard to reach areas, like under the air conditioner on the roof, i used a 6 inch length of 1/4" id clear tubing attached with a hose clamp to the nozzle of the caulk tube. It is harder to push the caulc out of the tube, but it saves a whole lot of time compared to removing the a/c. hopes this will help someone.

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robobd
1988 22l
1999 ford f250 7.3 diesel

I read that you can use a disposible plastic spoon to spread apply caulk. Then you just toss the spoon away. No mess on your hands. Haven't had a break in the weather to try this.

The plastic spoon method will work great on a half inch joint or greater (like a sidewalk expansion joint), I still use my fingers. For Urathanes get yourself a spray bottle (like for misting plants) and add a 1 part dish liquid and 2 parts water mixture into it. When you are caulking be sure to force the caulking onto each side when "gunning" into the joint, if you hold the gun so that the trailing side of the tip kinda pre smoothes the bead, and don't leave any holes, it can be messy coming back. Spray the caulking with the soap mixture and lightly smooth off the caulking with the finger. I like using the finger because you have pressure sensitivity in your touch as to not drag the caulking, it will leave a neater job.
Have plenty of paper towells handy, keep the tip of the caulking gun clean by ripping small pieces of paper towell, clean the tip and throw it into a waste pail, don't try to use a large rag and keep wiping with it, you'll be wearing it. Release the pressure directly after gunning will help keep the mess down also.
Just be sure that you get the caulking onto both joint surfaces or the soap will keep it from sticking.
When using silicones I don't use the soap mixture, just finger swipe it and go, while still using the paper towel practices. It's all in the gunning, keep a nice consistant smooth bead, don't overload it and it will finish nicely.
I recaulked all of my windows, used almond silicone caulking, it matched perfectly.

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2001 GMC Savana
Classic 2693 RD
Luke 1:49

As an aircraft mechanic, I have worked around some nasty sealants. Soapy water and your finger really does the trick. (Spit works pretty good too. Just be careful when rewetting your fingers. Sealants doesn't do your lips much justice!) Soapy water also does well for applying decals. Squirt down the area where to want to apply the decal, then apply the decal. The soap underneath the decal makes it moveable where you can slide it around and get it placed just right. Squeege the decal and get all of the excess soap and air bubbles out. After the soapy water evaporates, your decal is adhered to the area.

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2404T, 2003 2500HD 4X4 GMC Crewcab w/Astro camper shell
Far West Texas

But, use distilled water and just a tiny bit of dishwashing detergent. The detergent modifies the surface tension of the water, which allows better "wetting". You don't want a huge soap buildup under the decal, or probably in the caulk.

This is the technique used for applying window film too. I've used it very successfully - no bubbling at all.

- Jack

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Hi-Lo 1707T
2005 F150 4x4 KR SCrew

I can vouch for this idea - I've used these gloves successfully with caulking before.

If you need to touch the bead of caulk after it is applied, you're doing it wrong.

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1986 Bon Voyage 27F
Jeep Commander 4.7L V8

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