Turn the rag frequently to avoid spreading the collected caulk to unwanted areas. Use the wet rag to smooth out the bead while at the same time removing the excess caulk. This will cause caulk to squeeze back out when you move and ruin your new finish. Go slowly enough to fill the gap but not so slow that it overfills with caulk to avoid a mess.ĭon't stand in the tub or shower while working to avoid overfilling. Water won't dissolve the silicone but it will help to smooth the surface and wipe away wet caulk.īegin working at one corner and fill the gap moving all the way to the next corner without stopping. Use the rag to smooth out the bead and wipe off excess caulk. Soak an old, cotton t-shirt or similar cloth in water and wring out the excess. You can buy silicone caulk for tub and tile in a tube that resembles toothpaste or you can get it in a standard tube that will fit a caulk gun.Ĭut the applicator tip on the tube at 45° and pierce the seal at the base using a long nail. When all the old caulk is removed, wipe the seam with a fresh rag soaked with alcohol and let it dry for about 10 minutes before re-caulking.

If you're dealing with fiberglass or metal parts, use a plastic kitchen scrubber like those made by 3M® to remove the last bit of residue. On ceramics or porcelain, you can use a razor-blade scraper and steel wool to finish cleaning the surface. This can take a while and repeated soaking to get it all but it will clean the surface completely and give you a fresh, smooth surface to work with. Soak the rag again, wrap it around your plastic or wooden knife and use it to force the remainder off. Let the solvent sit for several minutes and then use the rag to rub off as much caulk as will come free. Soak a soft, absorbent rag with plenty of alcohol and apply it to the seam and surrounding edges. When all the loose material is removed, soften the remaining, old silicone using denatured alcohol. You can scrape ceramic tile and porcelain with a metal putty knife or razor-blade scraper, but fiberglass tubs and showers should be treated with plastic or wood to avoid damage to the finish. To remove more stubborn caulk, begin by working a plastic or wooden scraper back and forth along the seam to remove as much as will come free. If it's very loose and coming away at the edges it may be possible to remove most of it by running a plastic putty knife under the bead as you pull it free. Scrape Off the Loose Caulkįirst, remove any cracking or loose caulk. To fix this problem and compensate for future movement, use a pure silicone caulk to fill the seams. When the tub is empty again it returns to its original level, leaving cracks around the base. The cracks that commonly appear around a shower or tub are caused by the weight of water and bodies forcing the floor to sink with every use.

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