Acoustic Caulk - my hands are killing me!

[rbarnes]

This thread may be more of a whine session than a question, but does anyone have suggestions RE: the application of acoustic caulk? I am at the office and don't have the brand name here (black tube, home depot) but am trying to apply to all seams before second layer of drywall is applied. I am using the large tubes/gun but even with a decent sized hole in the tip this stuff is like pumping golf balls through garden hose. Have you all just toughed it out, or did you spring for a pnumatic caulking gun? Am I a wuss? Are there any tricks?

Thanks in advance. Even if it was just to listen.

-Rob

[sharward]

If you're using LePage Bulldog Grip PL Acousti-Seal or OSI -170, read this, save your hands, and quit using that crud.

[JohnGardner]

This one I can answer.
Heat the tubes up first in a bucket of warm to hot water.
The stuff will oozze out.
JG

[rsandberg]

I can offer a few points:

1. I second the heat the tubes up method. Cold caulk hurts hands.
2. Get a different caulk gun. My buddy brought his over and it was night/day difference.
3. Only let the trigger out half way. I found that with my crappy gun that the initial force to get the trigger moving is huge. Half way in, it's not so bad.

Hope this helps.
Rick

[rbarnes]

Thank you for the suggestions, the warming up the tube idea had occurred to me and that seems the way to go. Thanks again!

-Rob

[rbarnes]

The hot water worked wonders! Once warmed up it just oozed into place without any fussing. Thanks again for the suggestions. Only point to share is that plastic grocery bags are not waterproof, even if you triple bag! My tubes got wet and squishy which I thought meant instant doom. Fortunatly spiral-wrapping them with duct tape held them together enough to get the job done.

Thanks again.