Caulking around bathtub

[scottmandue]

It seems like I have to do this unpleasant chore almost once a year. Scraping off the old caulk with a razor blade (always fun on the slippery surface inside bathtub), wipe down the tub, painstakingly lay down a bead around the tub, go through a roll of paper towels trying smooth it out.

I have watched many youtube on the best way to do the job.

My question is there in super heavy duty caulk that will last more than a year?

Thanks in advance

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

My question is there in super heavy duty caulk that will last more than a year?

I do remember using a 3M marine silicone product to join two pool slide halves together (in addition to bolts).

IIRC it was more like $30 than $8 for a tube. I see it online for $17. I bought local and it's been a while.

Never disintegrated or sluffed off.

[masraum]

Just out of curiousity, what's the problem with the caulk? Is it getting moldy or mildewy or something else?

Maybe you need some of this

[Arthropraxis]

Laticrete Latasil's 100% silicone caulk, comes in different colors can be bought off amazon. Use painters tape to create a border on either side of the caulk bead, run your finger down the bead to remove the excess, take one side of the tape off, run your finger down again to smooth the edge, remove the other side of the tape and run your finger to smooth that side. Step back and admire your straight caulk lines.

[billybek]

If it is tearing away from the tub or the tile after a period of time, try loading the tub with water before you caulk.

Leave the water in until it has set up.

[dad911]

You should get more than a year. How is it failing?

We use caulk from supply house, color matched to grout.

When I want it to look great..... we tape both sides of joint, (blue painter's tape) apply, and squeegee with a caulk tool.

https://www.amazon.com/Caulking-Finishing-GOOCHAN-Silicone-Grouting/dp/B0788RH4CL/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1518744999&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=silicone+caulk+tool&psc=1

[look 171]

I have had great result withs Polyseamseal. Lucky if you can find the different colors at your local hardware store. If not, white seems to be everywhere. I use a sponge and wipe off again with wet finger. You should get more then a year. Water can be getting behind the grout but its has to go somewhere.

Silicone is great until you find out you still have to clean the bead then its a mess.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by billybek

If it is tearing away from the tub or the tile after a period of time, try loading the tub with water before you caulk.

Leave the water in until it has set up.

We have that issue at the top/head of the tub. I had planned to do that the next time, but in the mean time, we're wiping the rim of the tub dry when we are done taking showers. That should slow the growth of mold, I think.

[John Rogers]

When I had this issue there was moisture getting into the joint area and causing the caulk to break loose. It was due to water getting into the area between the underlying wall board and the tile. I would suggest checking the complete area around the tub even if it is one of those "one piece" surrounds.

[RSBob]

I did the same thing for years until I talked to a professional bathroom installer. His advise was to throw out all my extra caulk and never buy it again. Only use pure silicone products. Superior adhesion and mold resistance. Boy was he ever right.

[scottmandue]

Sorry I should have clarified, caulk seems to go from glossy to flat. (doesn't bother me but does SWMBO)

There are a few tiny dark spots but I presume touching it up with some bleach will make that go away.

It sticks okay.

Getting blue masking tape to stick to the tube is difficult.

Haven't tried the 'lay down a bead, spray with foam window cleaner, run your finger over the wet caulk.' (saw that on youtube)

[look 171]

Scott, the black spots are from the back. Water is penetrating through the grout between the tile or whatever material you have there on the vertical section of wall. It sits there because that part of the tub is sloping and damed up by the caulking. No foam, just use a water based caulking and squeeze a bunch back there and wipe with a sponge to get rid of most of the excess then run your wet finger across steadily. The lube is the water. No masking tape necessary. You should get a perfect result.

[OffCamber00]

+10000 on Silicone caulk for tubs and taping both sides of the joint. The best caulking tool on the planet is your finger. For latex caulk, use a wet tile sponge to wipe your joints.