Never Let Your Shower Caulk Look Like This (Full Restoration), by Sealant Pro on YouTube. 2 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Run a utility scraper along the joint to lift the old caulk. Work slowly and keep the blade flat so you do not gouge the tub or tiles.
Pull out the loosened strips by hand and scrape off any leftover silicone stuck to the edges.
Wipe the joint with isopropyl alcohol on a cloth to remove soap scum, grease and mold residue.
Let the area dry completely. Silicone will not stick to a damp surface, so wait at least 30 minutes.
Load the silicone tube into the caulking gun and cut the nozzle at a small angle, about 5 mm wide.
Push a steady bead of silicone into the joint, keeping the nozzle tip in contact with the surface the whole way.
Drag the finishing tool along the bead in one smooth pass to shape a concave line. Wipe the tool clean between passes.
Check the whole line for gaps or thin spots, then leave the silicone to cure for 24 hours before using the shower.
Tips and common mistakes
Never spread fresh silicone with a wet finger, it smears and picks up dust. Use a profiling tool instead.
Apply painter's tape on both sides of the joint if you want perfectly straight edges, then peel it off before the silicone skins over.
Remove all old silicone, since new sealant will not bond to the residue and will peel within weeks.
Work in a ventilated bathroom and keep the scraper blade pointed away from your hands.
Questions
How long before I can use the shower again?
Wait about 24 hours for a standard silicone bead to cure fully. Cold or humid rooms can take longer.
Can I caulk over the old silicone instead of removing it?
No. New silicone will not stick to old sealant, so the bead will lift and leak. Strip it back to bare tile and tub first.
Which silicone should I buy?
Choose a 100 percent waterproof, anti-mold silicone made for bathrooms. Avoid acrylic caulk for wet joints like a tub edge.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
