Tough decision

[rrrr]

After years of looking at the substandard work in our barndo kitchen, I had to decide whether to fix the crappy caulking on the counter or pound my dick flat with a mallet. Option A won by a slim margin.

After removing the original shitty work, I discovered the just purchased tube of caulk dispenses like cottage cheese. Instead of being smooth and homogenous, it's lumpy and intermittent in character.

The original had detached from the backsplash in large sections, and the installer didn't shim the countertop to manage the gap between it and the backsplash:

The new caulking does not dispense smoothly, it's infused with small semi cured spots, and I can't get a much better resolution than this. A second effort corrected the small gap visible in the photo.

It's pissing me off. A bunch.

 

[QC22]

Sounds like you shoulda chose the mallet.

 

[rrrr]

Sounds like you shoulda chose the mallet.

I'm rethinking my options now.

 

[poncho]

I'm rethinking my options now.

I had some in my whole house that was messing with my OCD bad, called a friend that has a painting business and he sent his best guy, no way I could do near the job he did, sometimes that check feels good to write.

 

[dirtracer]

Have a couple of cocktails, watch a couple of episodes of Band of Brothers, and you'll see life is pretty fucking good !
Although I got to admit you have a great eye for detail just don't forget the big picture..cheers

 

[monkeyswrench]

When caulking counterflash and such on roofs, I'd cut the tube at just the right angle to sit in the gap, and then smooth with a Teflon slick I got from a glass guy. It was the last part of the job, "detail work". I hate painting and prep for kitchens and baths...but always liked the last few hours on the roof deck.

 

[SoCalDave]

That top side of the back splash is what's digging at me.

 

[wzuber]

After years of looking at the substandard work in our barndo kitchen, I had to decide whether to fix the crappy caulking on the counter or pound my dick flat with a mallet. Option A won by a slim margin.

After removing the original shitty work, I discovered the just purchased tube of caulk dispenses like cottage cheese. Instead of being smooth and homogenous, it's lumpy and intermittent in character.

The original had detached from the backsplash in large sections, and the installer didn't shim the countertop to manage the gap between it and the backsplash:

View attachment 1474710

The new caulking does not dispense smoothly, it's infused with small semi cured spots, and I can't get a much better resolution than this. A second effort corrected the small gap visible in the photo.

View attachment 1474711

It's pissing me off. A bunch.

Why let it win? Scrape it out while it's soft, get a new tube or 3 and do it to your satisfaction and be happy. If it were simple and ez chix would do it.

Any more, one of the problems I find with the big box stores is they have such lax return policies some of these assholes return shit that is old & turning or turned to shit and the next guy gets stuck with it.

 

[rrrr]

That top side of the back splash is what's digging at me.

View attachment 1474729

I'm gonna put a ¾" bead on it. That'll cover the problem.

 

[rrrr]

Why let it win? Scrape it out while it's soft, get a new tube or 3 and do it to your satisfaction and be happy. If it were simple and ez chix would do it.

Any more, one of the problems I find with the big box stores is they have such lax return policies some of these assholes return shit that is old & turning or turned to shit and the next guy gets stuck with it.

I have a second new tube. Already did as you suggested. More bueno now.

 

[Bajap1]

After years of looking at the substandard work in our barndo kitchen, I had to decide whether to fix the crappy caulking on the counter or pound my dick flat with a mallet. Option A won by a slim margin.

After removing the original shitty work, I discovered the just purchased tube of caulk dispenses like cottage cheese. Instead of being smooth and homogenous, it's lumpy and intermittent in character.

The original had detached from the backsplash in large sections, and the installer didn't shim the countertop to manage the gap between it and the backsplash:

View attachment 1474710

The new caulking does not dispense smoothly, it's infused with small semi cured spots, and I can't get a much better resolution than this. A second effort corrected the small gap visible in the photo.

View attachment 1474711

It's pissing me off. A bunch.

I would use a clear epoxy resin

 

[rrrr]

All done. Looks good considering I haven't done any caulking in I dunno how long.

 

[fat rat]

Nice job….do you make house calls?

 

[rrrr]

Nice job….do you make house calls?

I do. What are your work hours?

 

[RichL]

All done. Looks good considering I haven't done any caulking in I dunno how long.

View attachment 1474745

Nicely done. FWIW, GE silicone was always my go-to for moving joints. Good adhesion, quick setting, mildew resistant.

 

[Angler]

Well, nice job on the chalking, now fix those crooked screw heads on the electrical plates!

 

[rrrr]

Well, nice job on the chalking, now fix those crooked screw heads on the electrical plates!

View attachment 1474752

The screw slots were all vertical before the earthquake last month.

 

[rrrr]

I was downstairs a minute ago and noticed I didn't caulk the vertical joint in the corner. I could get a job in today's market as a experienced tradesman.

 

[Willie B]

… Used to take a small putty knife put it on a grinder shape it to whatever shape needed… fill the void with whatever I was using for caulking… Drag the putty knife across it…then clean the excess up with another putty knife…

 

[Angler]

I was downstairs a minute ago and noticed I didn't caulk the vertical joint in the corner. I could get a job in today's market as a experienced tradesman.

Not with those crooked screw heads.. Just sayin...

 

[rrrr]

Not with those crooked screw heads.. Just sayin...

That's what makes the grade. From what I hear, half assery is a ubiquitous trait among the new hires these days.