caulk, huh, what is it good for?

[plasticpigeon]

I bought some caulk to fill in a few gaps in the woodwork of my lashed up back room (my experimenting room). It is rubbish, it is thin, sticky so gets everywhere and takes forever to dry. It's also hard to shape. Maybe it's because I bought cheap stuff from my local hardware shop (they only have one brand but I like the shop!!!)Isn't linseed putty the traditional filler for this sort of thing??? It works a lot better! I reckon half the products on the shelf are produced simply because there are mugs like me who will buy them?

 

[worms]

I guess the answer that is in keeping with the musical reference is "absolutely nuthing"!

...which is pretty close to my view! For many jobs, linseed putty (plus or minus strands of hemp/jute/wool/garden twine!) is so much easier. And putty can be further diluted to a more workable, thinner paste as required for very fine cracks.

However, this is partly down to my lack of skill with a caulk gun and I am sure that in the hands of an expert, caulking is easier and quicker.

 

[Feltwell]

Decent caulk is good stuff but getting good with the gun takes practice. It shouldn't be runny though.

My decorating here has mostly included hanging lining paper on the walls - I always use a little caulk where it joins the skirting board before painting. It works a treat.

Little is the relevant word though - people sometimes use too much. A wet finger is also invaluable fur running over it afterwards sometimes! Just dip your finger in a glass of water and run it quickly and lightly over the wet caulk.

Not very traditional but I don't believe it does any harm.

 

[Schoolmarm]

I have never managed to get caulk to set. It skins over then melts when I paint. I used it in our last house because I still haven't painted anything here in 16 years :lol:

 

[FamilyWiggs]

A wet finger is also invaluable fur running over it afterwards sometimes! Just dip your finger in a glass of water and run it quickly and lightly over the wet caulk.

I usually just lick the finger... and then forget I've done it when I come to the next bit. Caulk, or for that matter shower mastic etc, doesn't taste nice.

The oak that I paid handsomely for air-dried stuff, has now finished shrinking after 3 years ( :roll: ) and so I'm looking at large gaps, some 5-10mm wide around much of the new beams & lime plaster, etc.

I was thinking of using a linseed mastic to do so - is it just linseed putty and sand? Could I empty out a mastic tube and refill with home linseed mix and use as a caulk I wonder.

 

[Feltwell]

I was thinking of using a linseed mastic to do so - is it just linseed putty and sand? Could I empty out a mastic tube and refill with home linseed mix and use as a caulk I wonder.

Nope - just linseed oil and sand, nice and simple. I use the silver sand that's sold for brushing over brick paviors, it needs to be nice & dry, and cheap boiled linseed oil. Works a treat, but I can't imagine it going through any kind of nozzle - it'll just clog I reckon. At the risk of some sniggers, I put it on with a plasterer's small tool (sometimes called leaf & trowel).

I can't see an advantage to using it internally though - but I always use it externally now around door & window frames.

See this old thread.

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12889&p=174361&hilit=linseed+mastic#p174361

 

[Flyfisher]

I wonder how the ventilation of a snug-fitting window with no caulking would compare with a fully sealed window with a ventilation grille built in as per modern regulations. :wink:

 

[MatthewC]

I can't see an advantage to using it internally though

FW's already tried that!

I usually just lick the finger... and then forget I've done it when I come to the next bit. Caulk, or for that matter shower mastic etc, doesn't taste nice.