Does Peel and Stick Caulk Work?

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Caulking can be a pain, but peel-and-stick caulk can make it possible to save time and money! There are so many mixed views when it comes to peel-and-stick caulk. A lot of people find that it does not work for them. Others have found it an amazing part of their home improvement endeavors.

Does peel-and-stick caulk work? Peel and stick caulk works and can be an effective way to save you time, money, and that back-breaking pain you get from bending over a bathtub for too long.

Are you interested in learning how peel-and-stick caulk can work for you? I’ll go over the many benefits of it and even teach you how to apply it correctly to optimize your experience.

The Benefits of Peel and Stick Caulk

Peel and stick caulk has the potential to be a fantastic way for you to save time in your home-improvement endeavors. What once took you hours could now take only 30 minutes! The drying time is also only 12 hours. This is half of the time you would normally have to wait when using traditional caulk.

Not only does peel-and-stick caulk save you time, but it also helps you to save yourself a huge mess. No mess means even more time that you saved! This also means no more intense back and knee pain from being bent over the bathtub for hours with traditional caulk.

A huge benefit of these caulk strips is that they do not shrink like regular caulk does. This means that it has the potential to last longer. That will save you even more time in the long run!

How to Apply Peel and Stick Caulk

Many people write bad reviews about peel-and-stick caulk. This is because when they applied it, they most likely did not do so correctly. You must follow the directions to get results. If you cut corners or do things “your way”, peel-and-stick caulk will not work for you.

Materials you will need before you begin:

• Scouring powder
• Sponge
• Rubbing alcohol
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Bucket
• Washrag
• Magic Peel and Stick Caulk

Now, here is a step-by-step walkthrough of exactly how to use peel-and-stick caulk:

1. Flatten the caulk strips with a heavy object.
2. Remove any existing caulk (tutorial below if needed).
3. Clean the area thoroughly with scouring powder.
4. Wipe the previously caulked area with rubbing alcohol.
5. Dry the area completely.
6. Measure corner to corner where you want to apply the caulk.
7. Cut the caulk strips at your measurements. Be sure to cut a mitered, flat corner.
8. Pre-bend each strip by folding it at the score lines to form a 90-degree angle.
9. Peel a small section of the backing from the top half of the strip.
10. Carefully press the top half of the strip firmly to the wall.
11. Repeat steps 9-10 as you work in small sections down each strip.
12. Wait at least 12 hours before using the bath or shower again. Getting the strips wet within this time frame could ruin your hard work.

The Downsides of Peel and Stick Caulk

While there are so many potential benefits of peel-and-stick caulk, some major downsides could be deal-breakers for many. The main issue people have with it is that the caulk does not stick. This defeats the whole purpose of using it, wasting even more time and money. This is incredibly frustrating and discouraging and can cause someone to fall behind in their project.

Luckily, if you follow the directions provided and on the packaging of your caulk, you should not have this issue. If you find that your peel-and-stick caulk is not working, you need to go back and see if you skipped any of the steps, cut corners, or did things differently at all. You will need to start over and follow the directions provided if you want to make the most out of this product.

Tips and Tricks for Using Peel and Stick Caulk

Some people put silicone over their peel-and-stick caulk to make it stick better. Although, this defeats the purpose of using peel-and-stick caulk to save time and money. It is still an option. Pressing firmly with a squeegee tool after you have applied all the caulk can also help to maximize your chances of the caulk sticking.

Another trick people have used is applying heat to the strips beforehand to help the caulk stick better. This can be effective, but be warned that heat is also drying. If you heat the caulk strips for too long, you will dry out the caulk strip, which will not stick properly.

Use Goo Gone to remove any pre-existing caulk beforehand. This is very effective and a way to ensure you will have a finished product you are satisfied with. Here is a short tutorial on how to use Goo Gone:

Materials Needed:

• Goo Gone
• Plastic putty knife
• Nylon brush
• Washcloth
• Soap and water

Instructions:

1. Spray Goo Gone onto the caulk.
2. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
3. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape away any of the larger, excess caulking.
4. Using the nylon brush, you can scrub the rest of the caulk off the surfaces.
5. Use a damp, soapy washcloth to clean the area.
6. Allow to dry, and follow the steps on how to apply peel and stick caulk!

A Comparison of Brands

There are a few different brands of peel-and-stick caulk. The tutorial provided is for Magic Peel and Stick Caulk. Here are some of the other brands of peel-and-stick caulk and how they compare to Magic:

• Instatrim: Many people seem to find this brand effective. Although, I found that this caulk needs more glue than it comes with. It also has a broader variety of colors to choose from.
• LMHOME Caulk Strips: This brand has some good reviews. You can only get it in white, though, so that could be a deal-breaker for those who need different colors to match their home. Some people have had problems applying this brand to round surfaces, such as around the toilet.
• Homax: Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this brand. I have noticed that the adhesive is only on part of the caulk, leaving areas for water to break through. This peel-and-stick caulk will not last very long.
• Tolanbbt: These caulk strips are clear, which can be fantastic for those looking to apply caulk without it being too noticeable. This brand also has the best reviews. Customers found that this caulk sticks very well and is resistant to water, oil, and other contaminants.

Conclusion

Peel and stick caulk is something that should be taken advantage of. It can save you so much time and money. It will only work if you carefully follow the instructions. Work quickly but efficiently to prevent the strips from drying during application.

Have you thought about using Flex Shot instead of peel-and-stick caulk as well? This product turns into rubber as it dries, sealing out any wetness or leaks. This brand also claims to be an easier alternative to traditional caulk. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the directions.