Is Bob Villa anywhere around?

[A Desert Rose]

Someone tell me there is an easier way to remove caulk from around a tub than I am doing now. Damn, this is a killer job.

 

[Guest]

Isn't it all coming off in one long strip? Mine did.

 

[ma_guy]

Well ummm.. Without know how you're doing it now it would be kinda hard to tell you if there is an easier way...

 

[A Desert Rose]

I am using a straight edged razor thingy.

And damn, I wish mine would come off in one long strip.

 

[ma_guy]

Heat the caulk up with a blow dryer and then cut it free from the tub and wall with the razor blade. The heat from the blow dryer will make the caulk more flexible so you can pull it away from the wall/tub while you are working the razor along.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Oh thank you. I will try that. I have already broken 2 razors in this thingy.

 

[SkAoUt]

A BETTER WAY

If you are useing a putty knife or something sharp to try to scrape the caulk out then you are definatly doing it wrong. The best way to get caulk out from between the tiles is to use gas. You got it just plain 87 octane gasoline. Put in a spay bottle mist it onto the area you are working on. Remember to open the window cos you want it to mix at the right ratio with oxygen, 15 parts oxygen to one part gas. Really soak the area down with that mist of gas. Don't be stingey!! Then go out of the bathroom and wait a bit even light up a smoke. It will probably be a while before your next one (hehehe). When you've finnished open the bathroom door and toss your smoldering "butt" at the area you where working on. This should be done in a hastefull manor! You won't have to work too hard now at removing that caulk!

I hope I was of some assistance.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Heat the caulk up with a blow dryer and then cut it free from the tub and wall with the razor blade. The heat from the blow dryer will make the caulk more flexible so you can pull it away from the wall/tub while you are working the razor along.

You are fucking brilliant!!!!!

This is working fabulously. Thank you sooooo much.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: A BETTER WAY

If you are useing a putty knife or something sharp to try to scrape the caulk out then you are definatly doing it wrong. The best way to get caulk out from between the tiles is to use gas. You got it just plain 87 octane gasoline. Put in a spay bottle mist it onto the area you are working on. Remember to open the window cos you want it to mix at the right ratio with oxygen, 15 parts oxygen to one part gas. Really soak the area down with that mist of gas. Don't be stingey!! Then go out of the bathroom and wait a bit even light up a smoke. It will probably be a while before your next one (hehehe). When you've finnished open the bathroom door and toss your smoldering "butt" at the area you where working on. This should be done in a hastefull manor! You won't have to work too hard now at removing that caulk!

I hope I was of some assistance.

This bathroom has no windows. :-( But thank you I will keep this idea in mind for any future needs.

 

[ma_guy]

You are fucking brilliant!!!!!

This is working fabulously. Thank you sooooo much.

What? You weren't aware of my brilliance already? lmao

After you get the caulk off scrub the area down with steel wool to get all the gunk out and after it all dries out lay in a bead of new caulk. To smooth out the new caulk find an old washcloth or rag and wet it so that it's damp but not dripping. Wipe the caulk into the seams with the wetted rag. You don't want to take off to much caulk with this but you do want to eliminate any rough edges so that you don't get soap scum and whatnot building back up in there..

 

[acitore_vuli]

What? You weren't aware of my brilliance already? lmao

After you get the caulk off scrub the area down with steel wool to get all the gunk out and after it all dries out lay in a bead of new caulk. To smooth out the new caulk find an old washcloth or rag and wet it so that it's damp but not dripping. Wipe the caulk into the seams with the wetted rag. You don't want to take off to much caulk with this but you do want to eliminate any rough edges so that you don't get soap scum and whatnot building back up in there..

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait one second. Bob Vila lives in MA. You are Bob Vila, aren't you?

 

[Shiner]

What? You weren't aware of my brilliance already? lmao

After you get the caulk off scrub the area down with steel wool to get all the gunk out and after it all dries out lay in a bead of new caulk. To smooth out the new caulk find an old washcloth or rag and wet it so that it's damp but not dripping. Wipe the caulk into the seams with the wetted rag. You don't want to take off to much caulk with this but you do want to eliminate any rough edges so that you don't get soap scum and whatnot building back up in there..

I've always found a wet finger better for smoothing caulk.

 

[A Desert Rose]

What? You weren't aware of my brilliance already? lmao

After you get the caulk off scrub the area down with steel wool to get all the gunk out and after it all dries out lay in a bead of new caulk. To smooth out the new caulk find an old washcloth or rag and wet it so that it's damp but not dripping. Wipe the caulk into the seams with the wetted rag. You don't want to take off to much caulk with this but you do want to eliminate any rough edges so that you don't get soap scum and whatnot building back up in there..

I wish you could make housecalls to Las Vegas, pal. I would make it worth your while, really I would. ~smile~

Now, I am off to steel wool it......thank you again.

 

[ma_guy]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait one second. Bob Vila lives in MA. You are Bob Vila, aren't you?

I think Bob moved to FL a few years back. Norm lives about 5 miles away though...

 

[ma_guy]

I've always found a wet finger better for smoothing caulk.

I always have problems with the caulk oozing out around my finger and then I don't get a good smooth edge. The wetted rag serves the same purpose but it justs has a bigger surface area so I don't get the ooze. Either will work though!

 

[ExLimey]

Bob Vila never did anything. Norm always did it all. You'd be better off with Steve, Norm or Tommy Silva, at least those three work for a living.

 

[Shiner]

I always have problems with the caulk oozing out around my finger and then I don't get a good smooth edge. The wetted rag serves the same purpose but it justs has a bigger surface area so I don't get the ooze. Either will work though!

You need the wet rag to wipe your finger on but you get a better profile on the caulk with a finger and less pull's also I'd be very careful with the steel wool especially if the tub is made from anything other than cast iron.

In a past job I was a shop fitter.

 

[A Desert Rose]

One last thing.....

things have to be bone dry before I can recaulk, right?

 

[ma_guy]

Re: One last thing.....

things have to be bone dry before I can recaulk, right?

They should be. You've got the blow dryer out. Put it to use! lol

 

[acitore_vuli]

I think Bob moved to FL a few years back. Norm lives about 5 miles away though...

Norm's great. Guys got every tool known to man.

 

[Shiner]

Bob Vila never did anything. Norm always did it all. You'd be better off with Steve, Norm or Tommy Silva, at least those three work for a living.

Norm rules !!

 

[acitore_vuli]

Someone should start a thread for this kind of stuff, home improvement tips, remodeling tips, etc. This is good info.

Maybe one already exists, but I haven't seen one.

 

[A Desert Rose]

And I need to wait 24 hours to shower in here, am I right?

You know, I'd buy you a beer if I could......

 

[Shiner]

And I need to wait 24 hours to shower in here, am I right?

You know, I'd buy you a beer if I could......

12 hours should do.

 

[ma_guy]

Normy has an open house at the New Yankee Workshop every spring. I went 2 years ago. He's got like 20 different routers on a shelf in there. Every company that makes power tools sends him their latest models hoping he'll use them on his shows.

One nice thing about being up in this area is being able to go on the tours of all the places they work on for "This Old House".