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The Way of The Sealant Gun
SKILL LEVEL
Learning to use your sealant gun to for caulk and masticsIf you find, time and time again, how exasperating it is to apply mastic or decorators caulk, you can put the blame on those built-in self-applicator tubes that most sealants and decorators caulk come in. The manufacturers of these products may have meant well, but these tubes make the application process a right mess. Applying mastics, sealants and decorators caulk is one of the easiest things you can do for your DIY project. All you need is a sealant gun, and you're all set for a neater, tidier, more controlled, and best of all economical, application. Take it from weekend projects. We are, all of us here, professional tradesmen, and to get the best experience you can out of your sealant gun, it will be wise to get yourself an extra tube to practice your application techniques with. Running through with a few practice squirts is important to get the job done right. Decorators caulk and mastics are a nightmare to remove when wet. Getting it right is well worth the few extra pence you'll spend. Take the first step in the right direction by picking the material you need from the hundreds of sealants in the dizzying display you can find in the DIY aisle. Depending on the project you are working on, you can find the perfect sealant, mastic or decorators caulk for the job.Silicone Sealants (General use):If you are looking for prime waterproofing material for a variety of outdoor projects, silicone sealants will suit your purpose just fine. These sealants aren't water based so you don't even need to keep the surfaces dry until they harden. These products undergo a curing process that immediately toughens them up as soon as they are exposed to air. Silicone sealants are available in clear, plus a wide variety of colors.Sealants for Roofs and GuttersHighly waterproof and extremely flexible, these sealants are perfect for any leaks that plague your roof and gutter. To get the best results, clean all surfaces of your gutter or flat roof before applying the sealant to achieve a snug and watertight seal.Window and Door Frame SealantsWind and rain can get through cracks on your window or door frames. A good frame sealant is the best product to apply to weatherproof the “eyes” and “mouth” of your home. Frame sealants are 30% more flexible than ordinary ones, and they are UV resistant to prevent fading. You can obtain the best adhesive results if you apply a frame sealant after wiping away any traces of dust between the frame and the wall.Glass SealantsThese type of glazing sealants are especially manufactured for sealing glass to a number of different frame materials such as aluminum, polycarbonate, PVC's and wood. These sealants have been endowed with the ultimate in flexibility, taking into consideration the contraction and expansion that occurs between the glass and the frame during all kinds of weather.Fire Stop SealantsProtecting your home from the ravages of fire is one of your top priorities. When you apply intumescent sealant to your walls and partitions, as well as to attic walls in terraced or semi-detached dwellings, you can significantly reduce your risk of destruction from fires.Sealing Your FloorWhen you have laminate flooring, it is best to apply flooring sealants to the expansion joints. These sealants come in a variety of colors for an attractive design. To avoid unsightly-looking floor joints, do a few practice applications until you get it right.Waterproof Sanitary SealantsThese type of sealants have been created for both bathrooms and kitchens with their waterproof seal and flexible hold. It is important to practice applying sealant, decorators caulk or mastic using an application gun if you haven't used one before. You will also need to learn how to trim the nozzle to get just the right amount of sealant on the area you are aiming for. The first step is to lay the nozzle on a level surface and use a sharp hobby knife to cut into it. This flat position will allow you to make an 45-degree angled cut without damaging it. To get a smaller opening, you will need to cut high up in order to lay down a thin and neat line of mastic or decorators caulk. You can enlarge the apperture by cutting the nozzle much lower for more volume, however, you will be sacrificing neatness when you apply a wider strip. As soon as you have cut the nozzle to your desired apperture size, firmly attach the nozzle to the bottom part of the tube and insert the tube into your sealant applicator gun. Now that everything you need is assembled, gently squeeze the gun's trigger until you can see a trace of mastic at the opening of the nozzle. Lay the nozzle on your target area at the same angle of the apperture cut, and raise the handle bit by bit until a line of mastic emerges. The trick here is in squeezing the trigger and at the same time moving the gun at a measured pace along the area that needs to be sealed. This is to ensure that the mastic is laid out with precise uniformity. Moving the gun too fast will give you an overly distended application, while moving it at a very slow pace may cause the mastic to crimp or crease. Practice with your sealant gun until you get the right angle and speed that is comfortable for you. Remember to have a piece of wiping cloth or rag handy to wipe away any excess sealant. Even if you are a pro, like we are, its a very rare occurrence when your fnished line of mastic turns out perfectly. For “touch ups”, you can wet your finger with water and press it down slowly, firmly, but ever so gently until the bead shapes down into the joint. Or, you can use a special sealant tool like the one below: In closing, remember: practice is the key! |
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