bathroom tub and sink caulk

[hemi68charger]

Anyone out there know of a bathroom sink and tub caulk that is worth a dang...... I know I'm not the sort of person to start their own Home Improvement show on HGTV, but I'm not inept either.. I prepare the surfaces by cleaning them and then applying the caulk... I've tried silicon, water based, all of them............ 

After a little bit, the caulk starts to lift under any sort of cleaning......... Is there any product used to put over it as a decorative finish?



Thanks in advance....

[Lord Warlock]

For the sink  you'll want to get adhesive silicon sealant, i used a type from lowes that was clear when dried, seemed to seal great and went on fairly easy.  Never been that great at caulking the bathtub, the edges around the tile to tub joint is easy enough, but where it meets the flooring (cheap vinyl) its never looked that great.  I usually lay the bead first then with a wet finger push it into the crevice and clean off the excess.  Probably the reason why i don't do it for a living.  Its all watertight but sometimes looks like an amature did it.   

[Todd Wilson]

Good question! I been fighting the same thing.  I'll go look for some of that adhesive type..........


Todd

[Lord Warlock]

the caulk i got was in a tube smaller than the ones that use a metal gun to push it out, it was probably half the amount found in a regular caulking gun tube, kind of looked like a tubeof toothpaste as I had to roll the back end up as i emptied it.  The advantage was that i could cut the tip smaller than the big caulking guns use.  Reason for the adhesive type is that the sinks usually sit on top of the vanity top surface and will move around if they don't act like some type of glue.  Same type caulk works very well on toilet bases also, goes on clean, and easy to clean up afterwards.

[Silver R/T]

I've used clear GE silicone caulk from Lowes

[John L]

Don't use silicone if you need to do any painting over it, paint won't stick to it. The best I have found is polyurethane caulk. It is solvent based so you will need some paint thinner to clean it up but it works. Make sure everything behind the areas your going to be caulking are COMPLETELY dry. Let the caulk dry at least 24 hours before you use the shower. Most poly caulk will be labeled for exterior use, thats the stuff you want.

[KS71owner]

I usually get a tub and tile caulk, or a paintable caulk if it's against a wall or painted surface. For caulking along a floor around the tub, I use a penny or a nickel instead of my finger to smooth it. Any smooth edged coin will give you a nice smooth consistent bead.

[resq302]

I agree.  I have amazing success with the bathroom and kitchen 100% silicone caulking that I have gotten from Lowes.  As others have said, if you plan on painting, do not use the silicone as it will not stick to it.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

the caulk starts to lift under any sort of cleaning...

I have the same problem.

[remta1]

use a mould resistant one otherwise your fingers will contaminate it along with the rest of the nasty germs

[sunfire69]

There are a lot of ways that can work...but one thing to remember..once you use silicon caulk you have to keep using it because nothing else will stick to a surface that has had silicon applied to it....no matter how well you think you clean it...and no matter what brand you use if the builder brought the drywall behind the tile down close to the inner lip of the tub it WILL wick up water and it WILL continue to mold......I use a good latex caulk that is antimicrobial....and just plan on doing it every 6 to 8 months or so.....the latex cuts out and cleans up easy...and I just wash the area with a strong bleach soultion let it dry real well and recaulk.....Its' a pretty simple process if you don't have to fight the silicon....
one more thing if you use silicon caulk you can smooth it with your finger...just dip your finger in rubbing alcohol....water won't ...as I'm sure most of you know...

[Lord Warlock]

who wants to recaulk every 6 to 8 months?  Not slamming the advice, but jeez, I want to caulk once and leave it for 5 to 10 years, not months.  Cleaning has never caused a problem with the caulk i used in the bathroom, I just make sure the surfaces are clean and dry when i caulk.  I'll have to try the coin trick

[Davtona]

Geocel Ultima! Make sure it says Ultima. They also have a regular Geocel but its not as good. Its the best for everything. Paintable. I've seen white clear and brown I believe. Tube says its made in Elkhart IN. I get it at Menards up here, not sure you have Menards down there Troy. Phone # for questions on tube is 800-348-7615. Maybe they can tell you where to get in your area.

[Dino]

I used the GE bathroom caulk from Lowes.  I did 2 bathrooms, most recent one must be going on 4 years now and it still looks like new. 

http://www.lowes.com/pd_444948-72643-GE5070X2_4294729414__?productId=4402707&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

I've also used the same type in clear and black on several projects without any issues.  The packaging was different but it seems to be the same product.

[Steve P.]

I wish I had a better memory. I had an issue at our old house with short term caulk. I asked a guy that does granite countertops and he sent me to a MARINE STORE for a marine grade silicone caulk. I used it and it is still in place and looking good 7-8 years later. I used more of it outdoors around an outlet coming through stucco. Also still in place and working well and it is still clear.