How to Caulk Cleanly

Purchase a high-quality caulk gun. The gun you choose should require about three pumps before the caulking comes out of the tube. Although this implies that it will take longer, slower-moving caulk is easy to control and results in a clean caulking job.

Clean the area that is to be caulked. Remove dirt and other residue to ensure that the caulking adheres well to the surface; a wire brush or caulk-removing tool is effective for this. To help guide your caulk placement, attach straight rows of masking tape along the edges of the area.

Cut the tip off the caulk tube using scissors. The hole should be about one-sixteenth of an inch in size and cut at an angle of forty-five degrees. The size of the hole is crucial: If it's too large, too much caulk will come out; if it's too small, you won't get enough.

Hold the gun at a 30- to 45-degree angle to the area. The angle will determine the ease with which you can draw the gun along the area and the rate at which the caulk comes out. Choose an angle that allows you to move the gun easily.

Brace the nozzle of the tube with one hand and apply consistent pressure with the other. As the caulk flows out of the tube, move the gun along the area that you wish to caulk. The speed is key: If you move too slowly, too much caulk will build up; if you move too quickly, you won't get enough caulk in the area.

Release the pressure from the gun and set it aside. Remove the masking tape.

Don latex or disposable gloves. Within two to five minutes of application, smooth the caulk using your finger. This motion will help even out caulk texture and ensure that it's spread to all areas of the crack or joint.

Place a sponge in a bucket of water. Squeeze the sponge to remove excess water. Move the sponge over the caulked area, being gentle on the caulk itself so as to avoid removing it. If excess caulk is visible, use a putty knife to gently remove it.