Hey everyone! I'd love some advice here. I just refinished my ancient bathtub and now I'm tackling the caulking around the surround myself. I've been caulking all week for other projects, but for some reason, this tub surround has me feeling a bit anxious. The pro who did the refinishing suggested using DAP AMP caulk with paint thinner for smoothing instead of water, which seems logical. My question is, can I use isopropyl alcohol instead of paint thinner? I don't need to buy paint thinner since I've already got some isopropyl alcohol on hand. Also, the gap between the tile and tub is quite large, so I have some 1/4" rubber backer rod that I'm planning to use before caulking. I'm really nervous about this whole thing! Thanks!
2 Answers
I've never tried using isopropyl alcohol for smoothing caulk, but here's a tip: squirt a little bead of the caulk onto some cheap plastic, spray it with some alcohol, and then use your finger to smooth it out. That should help you see if it works! I’ve heard people have success with soapy water and denatured alcohol too, just to give you options.
Using isopropyl alcohol to smooth caulk is a game-changer! Just spray it lightly on your caulk bead right before you smooth it out with your finger. It works wonders! Some folks might caution that it can affect the caulk, but I've been using it for years and my caulk is still holding up perfectly. Also, don’t forget to fill the tub and let it sit for about 12 hours before caulking—this really helps with the seal.
Thanks for the tip! I’m a bit worried about the whole filling the tub issue; I was told to wait 48 hours after the refinishing. I assume that's important, right?