Does Peel and Stick Caulk Work?

Sealing can be a hassle, but sealing with peel and stick caulking can allow you to save time and money! There are so many mixed views when it comes to peel and stick sealants. Many people find that it doesn’t help them. Others have found that it’s an amazing part of their DIY efforts.

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

Would you like to learn how peel and stick caulk can work for you? We will go through the many advantages of it and even teach you how to apply it properly to optimize your experience.

The Benefits of Peel and Stick Caulk

Peel and stick caulk has the potential to be an amazing way for you to save time on your DIY efforts. What used to take hours can now take only 30 minutes! The drying time is also only 12 hours. This is half the time you would normally have to wait when using traditional caulking.

Peeling and sticking not only saves you time but also helps you avoid a huge mess. No mess means even more time saved! It also means no more intense back and knee pain from bending over a bathtub with traditional sealing material for hours.

A major advantage of these caulk strips is that they don’t shrink like regular caulking. This means 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 poor reviews about peel and stick caulk. This is likely because they didn’t apply it correctly. You need to follow the instructions in order to get results. If you cut corners or do things “your way,” then peel and stick caulking won’t work for you.

Materials you will need before you start:

• Abrasive powder
• Sponge
• Cleaning alcohol
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Bucket
• Washcloth
• Magic peel and stick caulk

Here is a step-by-step guide to the exact use of peel and stick caulk:

1. Press the caulk strips flat with a heavy object.
2. Remove any existing caulking (tutorial below if needed).
3. Clean the area thoroughly with abrasive powder.
4. Wipe the previously caulked area with cleaning alcohol.
5. Allow the area to dry completely.
6. Measure from corner to corner where you want to apply the caulking.
7. Cut the caulk strips to your measurements. Be sure to cut a mitered, flat corner.
8. Pre-fold each strip by folding it on the score lines to create a 90-degree angle.
9. Peel a small piece of the backing from the top half of the strip.
10. Press the top half of the strip firmly against the wall.
11. Repeat steps 9-10 as you work your way down each strip in small sections.
12. Wait at least 12 hours before bathing or showering again. Getting the strips wet within this timeframe could ruin your hard work.

The Disadvantages of Peel and Stick Caulk

While there are so many potential benefits of peel and stick caulk, there are also some major disadvantages that could be a deal-breaker for many. The main issue people have with it is that the caulk doesn’t adhere. This defeats the whole purpose of using it and wastes even more time and money. This is incredibly frustrating and discouraging and can cause someone to fall behind on their project.

Fortunately, you shouldn’t have this issue if you follow the instructions on the packaging of your caulk. If you find that your peel and stick caulk isn’t working, you need to go back and check if you skipped any of the steps, trimmed corners, or did things differently at all. You’ll need to start over and follow the instructions if you want to get the most out of this product.

Tips and Tricks for Using Peel and Stick Caulk

We’ve seen some people apply silicone on top of their peel and stick caulk to help it adhere better. However, this goes against the purpose of using peel and stick sealants to save time and money. It’s still an option. Firmly pressing with a squeegee tool after you’ve applied all of the caulk can also help maximize the likelihood of the caulk adhering.

Another trick people have used is to heat the strips beforehand to help the caulk adhere better. This can be effective, but be warned that heat also dries things out. If you heat the caulk strips for too long, you will dry out the caulk strips, and they won’t adhere properly.

Use Goo Gone to remove any existing caulking. This is very effective and ensures that you have a finished product you’re satisfied with. Here is a brief 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 caulking.
2. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape off larger, excess caulking.
4. Scrub the rest of the caulking off the surfaces with the nylon brush.
5. Use a damp, soapy washcloth to clean the area.
6. Allow it to dry and follow the steps for applying the peel and stick caulk!

A Brand Comparison

There are a few different brands of peel and stick caulking. 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. However, we found that this caulking requires more adhesive than it contains. It also has a wider range of colors to choose from.
• LMHOME Caulk Strips: This brand has some good reviews. However, you can only get it in white, which could be a deal-breaker for those who need other colors to match their home. Some people had trouble applying this brand on round surfaces, such as around the toilet.
• Homax: Unfortunately, we cannot recommend this brand. We found that the adhesive is only present on part of the caulking, leaving areas where water can seep through. This peel and stick caulk won’t last very long.
• Tolanbbt: These caulking strips are transparent, which can be great for those who want to apply caulk without it being too noticeable. This brand also has the best reviews. Customers found that this caulk adheres very well and is resistant to water, oil, and other contaminants.

Conclusion

Peeling and sticking is something that should be utilized. It can save you so much time and money. It only works if you carefully follow the instructions. Work quickly but efficiently to prevent the strips from drying out while applying.

Have you also considered using Flex Shot instead of peel and stick caulk? This product turns into rubber when it dries, sealing in moisture or leaks. This brand also claims to be an easier alternative to traditional caulking. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the instructions.