Immediately after applying a line of caulk, you must "tool" it to force it deep into the joint and create a smooth, water-shedding concave shape. You can use a specialized plastic caulk-smoothing tool, or simply wet your gloved finger with a bit of water (or water mixed with a drop of dish soap) and run it lightly along the bead in one continuous motion. Do not press too hard; you want to smooth the surface, not gouge out the material. Step 7: Peel the Tape and Cure
Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to doing it correctly. 1. Recognize the Signs of a Blown Seal how to reseal a window fixed
The "rabbet" is the L-shaped groove where the glass sits. Scrape it clean down to bare wood. Prime the wood with linseed oil or exterior primer—raw wood will suck the oil out of the new putty, causing it to crack. Immediately after applying a line of caulk, you
For cutting through stubborn, old polyurethane or silicone. Step 7: Peel the Tape and Cure Here
Do not use cheap interior latex caulk for an exterior window project. It will fail within months. Choose one of the following: 100% Silicone Sealant
If any small peaks form where the tape lifted, gently smooth them down with a damp finger.