How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time

In this article, we will be sharing with you all How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time. Cracks or holes at your home can be very unattractive and disrupt with the looks of your house. The same applies for cracks on windows, doors, etc. But thankfully, we have the caulking gun using which you can close and conceal such spots.

A caulking gun is a tool you can use to cover holes and cracks. This tool comes with a cartridge or tube which contains the sealing material or the caulk that you can easily apply on cracks. This caulk is generally made of silicone or latex.

You can use this caulking gun with a number of materials and surfaces like Glass, metals, wood, ceramic and so on. If you have never used a caulking gun, do not worry, there’s always a first time for everything. With the detailed guide mentioned below, you will be able to easily use Caulking gun for first time. 

How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time

Given below is a detailed guide on How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time. Using a caulking gun for first time can be tricky especially if you do not know the mechanism of the gun. But do not worry, just follow the below guide in the given sequence and you will be able to use it well.

Step 1: Prep Up

This might not sound as important, but it is very crucial to prepare the area well that you want to use caulking gun on. Simply use a putty knife and get the old caulk out. Put the sharp knife edge at the base of the old caulk. You can also use a wire brush to remove the old caulk.

Doing this will check over-layering and also make the foundation strong enough. In case you are stuck with silicone caulking, then you can use a needle-nose plier for pulling out from one side. Once you are done removing the old caulk, you can then proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Grab the essentials

In order to make the process of using caulking gun easier and better, we would recommend you to get some hot water and also disinfectant. You can use these two to wash down the crack. Then use a rag to wipe this washed surface.

Note that, when you ae caulking, there will be some insulation. Hence, it is crucial to get rid of the debris entirely. In case the leftovers are too stubborn, you can also use a plastic scraper.

Step 3: Secure using Painter’s Tape

By using a painter’s tape, you can make sure that nothing else is affected by the caulk. By using a painter’s tape, you will be able to get better results and finishing. This will also hold you back from making any mistakes. Just remember to pull the tape after you are done caulking.

Step 4: Insert the tube

For inserting the tube, first of all, press the release trigger gently with your thumb. This trigger is present next to the insert tube and sits on the back of the caulking gun.

After pressing the trigger, you will see that a long steel rod will loosen up. With your other hand, pull this rod. Make sure to let it go as far back as possible. You can take someone’s help to keep the rod back.

Now you will have to keep loading the tube into the frame and make sure to keep the nozzle facing away. Note that this nozzle should NOT face you in any way. Take the back of the gun and insert the flat end of the tube.

Keep doing this till the back end touches the ending of the gun. Then, let the forward end of the tube get lower. This should be in line with other components. For placing the tube inside the frame, you can make use of the piercing rod and tip cutter.

Step 5: Put the Tube in its Place

See that you have inserted the tube in the frame securely. Next, insert the back of the metal rod in the caulking tube. Just see that the hook is deep inside. This will ensure that the entire caulk is in its position.

Putting the tube in its position will also see that the triggering works better for the gun functioning. If you are not understanding any procedure of this step, then you can refer the instruction manual for a better understanding. Just make sure to put the tube in its position securely.

Step 6: Shape the Nozzle

The front nozzle of the caulking tube will be long and sealed. This nozzle and its shape decide the caulk that will get out of the gun. Hence, you will have to shape this nozzle in a way that you want the caulk to come out of the gun.

So, if you want a tiny crack then you will have to make a precise cutting near the end of the nozzle. And similarly, if you want a larger crack, then you will have to cut nozzle near the tube. But note that once you have made the cut, you cannot do anything. So perform this step very carefully.

We would recommend you to make a cut near the pointy end of the nozzle. This will ensure thinner result and thus you can always increase the thickness of the cut. Do not do the mistake of making a bigger cut at first.

Step 7: Test the Caulk release

Now that you have cut the nozzle, the caulk will get out when you release it. But we would recommend you to first try this caulk release on a rough paper or surface rather than on the desired location. This will help you understand the amount of caulk coming out.

So first, place the caulking gun over the paper and then press the trigger. Allow the caulking gun to move over the paper. You will see how to control the caulk coming out of it. Do this steadily and gently as faster movement will give thin and uneven results.

At the same time, using the gun too slowly will make it inefficient and the caulk will be chunky. Hence, testing the caulk release on a rough paper would help you get a right balance which will further improve the caulking gun efficiency. This will be especially helpful for the beginners.

Step 8: Hold the gun properly

Once you are done testing and getting an idea of the working of the gun, you can use the caulking gun on the crack. But make sure that you are holding the gun properly in a right way using both of your hands.

Place one of your fingers on the trigger so that you can easily press it when the caulk is needed. The other hand needs to be on the tube. This will ensure a proper aim of the gun. Holding the gun in a 45 degree angle will be very much helpful. This will also let the gravity contribute, thus making the flow better.

Step 9: Trigger the Gun

Once you have held the gun in a proper angle and way with both of your hands, you are now ready to press the trigger of the gun. Just note that you will have to push the trigger with steady and firm hands. The steel rod with then force the caulk to come out.

In case you are not satisfied with the flow or the caulk coming out, then do not hesitate to stop the flow and try again.

Step 10: Have a control over the Gun

It is very important to have a proper control of your gun. This especially applies when the caulk is coming out. Once the caulk appears, you will have to keep the gun moving wherever the cracks are. The caulk tends to solidify very quickly and hence you got to be fast in moving the gun too.

Do not worry if you miss any sports, you can try again to fill these spots. It is not mandatory to finish caulking all at once. Caulk also tends to go to the nearby cracks. Here is when the painter’s tape we used in the third step will be helpful in keeping the non-cracked area safe.

Step 11: Give it some time

After you have applied the caulk over the cracks, you can then remove the painter’s tape. But do make sure to even out the application of the caulk. For this, you can use a spoon.

All you need to do is heat the spoon by putting it in hot water. After 30 seconds or so, you can remove it from the hot water and then use the curvy edge to even out the caulk. Do this gently to get aesthetic results.

Once you have evened out the caulk, let it sit for about a day. The caulk will dry in this period and you will see that has solidified now.

That is how easy it was to use a caulking gun!

Tips for better use

• If you are doing caulking over windows or doors, then we would suggest you to use polyurethane.
• If you want to seal interior trims, then using latex would be better.
• For bathroom and kitchen areas, you can use the shiny silicone caulk. A caulking gun with a cradle and ratchet action would be better.
• If you want, you can also reuse a tube. For this, all you need to do is cut the nozzle. You can use a knife for making a bigger cut than the one already made.
• If you want to remove any solid caulk from the nozzle head, then you can drive a screw through it.
• While using a caulking gun, make sure that your legs and upper body are both in a straight line.
• In case you are caulking over a concrete area, then you can use a concrete mix to dust the caulking line when it is still wet. This can make the caulking invisible. In case the areas you want to reach are not exactly accessible, you can use a straw to get things done.

Read More: How To Load A Staple Gun (Easy Guide)

Concluding Words

I hope you all could easily understand How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time using the guide above. In case you are stuck at any of the steps or if you have any suggestions for us, then feel free to let us know in the comment section below. We will be glad to hear from you.

Stay tuned with us for more such helpful posts!