I used to think caulk was just caulk until I redid my bathroom baseboards

I always grabbed whatever white caulk was on sale at Home Depot. Last month I had to pull out some baseboards in my bathroom after only 8 months because the stuff was peeling and turning yellow. A tile contractor friend told me to try a 100% silicone caulk in the bathroom instead of the acrylic stuff. I used GE Supreme Silicone around the tub and baseboards about 3 weeks ago and it already looks way better and is still flexible. The downside is it doesn't paint over easy, but for wet areas it seems to hold up completely different. Has anyone else had bad luck with acrylic caulk in bathrooms?

3 comments

3 Comments

emeryn8319d ago

Buddy used acrylic in his shower. Mold grew behind it in 3 months.

palmer.ryan18d ago

Total opposite here, acrylic caulk was a complete waste of money in my bathroom. I had the same thing happen where it cracked and peeled after maybe 6 months, and the mold started growing in the little gaps. Switched over to GE Supreme Silicone about a year ago and haven't touched it since. That dish soap trick for smoothing is legit, makes it way easier to get a clean bead without the stuff sticking to your finger. Only thing I'd add is to keep a spray bottle with diluted rubbing alcohol nearby to mist the caulk before you tool it, helps it cure better and kills any bacteria before it seals in. Never going back to acrylic for wet areas, learned that lesson the hard way too.

wyatt86219d ago

You try the GE Supreme Silicone yet? I used it in my shower after acrylic failed twice in a row, and it's been solid for almost 6 months now with no mildew spots. The key for me was getting the surface bone dry before applying, and I used a little dish soap on my finger to smooth it out. Also make sure you get the 100% silicone version not the hybrid stuff, the tube should say it right on the front.