Any home improvement project worth doing is worth doing well. Take caulking, for instance. If done properly, it can help weatherproof, improve energy efficiency, and beautify your home. By following the tips offered here by the experts at the Paint Quality Institute, you can get professional results with all your caulking projects.

Choose a Quality Caulk

For starters, choose a top quality water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk, say the experts. Excellent for most exterior and interior applications, these high-performance caulks are extremely durable, adhere well to just about any surface, and are very easy to use. They are also paintable, have low odor and come in a variety of colors, including clear sealants.

No matter what type of caulk you choose, it's important that you read and follow the directions on the caulk label.

Prepare the Surface

To start, make sure any adjacent surfaces are clean, dry and dust-free. On previously caulked surfaces, it is critical that you remove as much of the old caulk as possible before applying new caulk - especially any that has cracked, eroded or pulled away from the surface.

If any dirt, grime or mildew is present, clean it off with a Soap and water solution containing a small amount of household bleach. (Dirt will keep new caulk and paint from adhering properly; mildew can quickly grow right through new caulk and paint.) Rubbing alcohol can be used to remove soap film in kitchens and bathrooms

When caulking joints that are deeper than " first fill the gap with a foam backer rod, then caulk. Caulking gaps that are deeper than " puts too much stress on the sealant and reduces the life of the caulk job. Backer rods, which come in a variety of sizes, are available at your local hardware store or home center.

When caulking around a bathtub, the experts suggest that you fill the tub with water and stand in it. That way, the tub will sink slightly, opening up gaps and joints to the size they would be if the tub were in use. Be sure to use a caulk that is specially formulated to resist mildew.

With exterior applications, be sure to apply an appropriate primer to bare wood; doing so will help the caulk adhere to the surface. Do not apply caulk at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or when rain is forecast within 24 hours.

Apply the Caulk Properly

After the surface has been properly prepared, cut the tip of the caulk tube at a 45-degree angle so that the caulk bead is about " wide. If there is a foil seal over the caulk, insert a nail or heavy wire through the tip of the tube and puncture it. If the tube was used before, insert an awl through the tip to puncture the hardened caulk.

Place the tube in the caulk gun. Holding the caulk gun at a 45-degree angle, gently squeeze the trigger. If you haven't used a caulk gun before, practice on some scrap wood to get the knack of applying a uniform bead. As the caulk comes out of the tube, slowly pull the gun along the gap or seam.

Popular water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulks can be easily tooled. Have a glass of water ready so you can moisten your finger and run it along the bead of applied caulk to give a smooth, professional appearance. Be careful not to remove too much caulk during the tooling process; as the water in the caulk evaporates, the material will naturally shrink to fit the gap.

If a quality water-based all-acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk is used for an interior finishing project, the surface can be painted with a top quality paint within 30 to 60 minutes, or after 12 hours if an economy-grade paint is applied.

By following these simple tips, you will get years of good performance from all your caulks and sealants.

To help you identify a top quality acrylic sealant that's suitable for your application purposes, the Paint Quality Institute suggests that you ask for assistance at your local home center, hardware store, paint store or decorating center.

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