How to Re-Caulk a Bathtub

$20
1 Day
Easy
Few weeks ago, I had to re-caulk our bathtub due to some spots of mold along the caulk line. You will be amazed on what was behind the old caulk!
How to re-caulk a bathtub?
Hope you enjoy the step by step instructions on how to re-caulk a bathtub.


This is what I was dealing with! A cracking caulk, mold in the corner and discolorations.


How to remove the old caulk:


Best way t remove it, is by using a utility knife and cut it all out.


Spray some Lift-Off Caulk/Silicon remover onto the entire area you scraped off the old caulk.


Let it soak for few minutes, and scrape it off with the knife again. Clean with a damp rag while wearing gloves.


Scrub the area with a scotch pad and some bleach or comet powder.


I used a lint-free rag to wipe down the area, and then let it dry out overnight. You can also use a hair-dryer to speed up the process.


Fill the tub three quarters of the way full of water to allow the tub to sag while the silicone dries for 24 hours. Otherwise, the tub will sag when you get in and pull on the seam causing possible long-term cracking and breaking.


Placed the tape about 1/8 on either side of the seam. It helps to achieve a straight and smooth line, and makes the clean-up faster and easier.


Now it's time to apply the caulk:


Apply steady pressure to your tube gun as you move along the tub seam.


As soon as the seams are filled, smooth the caulk with a wet fingertip. Or for a tidier job, use the Caulk-Rite tool, a small rubber spatula set in a durable handle. It creates a stunning bead with no mess or edge marks.


Once done, remove the masking tape carefully.


Don't bathe or shower for a minimum of 24 hours to let the caulk cure.
Betty @ Oh Everything Handmade
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  • Lisadoll Lisadoll on Nov 06, 2016
    Oopsie! Another tip: WD 40 can also be used to aid in the caulk removal process. Spray it down.. let it sit. Then cut to remove. Only do a small portion at a time. When removing ANY material with a solvent, only work on the WET portion , because solvent only works when WET. I keep a variety of solvents on hand at all times. For caulk removal I usually pull out the WD40& the silicone caulk remover.. sometimes it takes both( exterior windows). Sometimes I use a hairdryer to heat the caulk, and just use a caulk removal tool, no solvent. Always good to have a FEW tricks up your sleeve( & on hand )!
  • Mir63668984 Mir63668984 on May 04, 2022

    What is best caulk to use for bathtub?

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