Dipping a tool in soapy water or solvent makes tooling easier but leaves liquid on the bond faces and in the sealant, which can cut adhesion, discolor the surface or interfere with cure. Most high-performance sealant warranties call for dry tooling. Experienced caulkers manage with the right tool shape, a clean tool and fast work behind the gun.
Ditch the spray bottle, this is a warranty job, dry tooling only.
Also heard as
- dry tool
Related terms
Tooling
Pressing and shaping freshly applied sealant with a tool to force it against the joint faces and give it a neat profile.
Spoon
Caulker's word for a tooling tool, often an actual bent spoon or a spoon-shaped steel blade.
Adhesive failure
A sealant pulling cleanly away from one joint face, leaving the substrate bare.
Skin time
How long after application a sealant forms a surface skin, which ends the window for tooling.