Cartridges and sausages for caulking gun - silicone, foam, adhesive
A caulking gun without the right cartridge is just a handle. First question: what are you filling?
Product type matters more than brand here. Silicone for bathroom joints, polyurethane foam for gaps around pipes and door frames, mounting adhesive for skirting boards and panels. Each comes in a different format - 280-310 ml tube for a standard gun, 500-750 ml sausage for a professional gun.
Compatibility check: standard caulking guns (400 mm barrel) take 280-310 ml tubes. Professional guns with flow control take 500-750 ml sausages. Check before buying.
Silicone or acrylic filler? Silicone for wet areas - waterproof, elastic, doesn't crack. Acrylic filler for dry interior joints that need painting - paint doesn't bond to silicone, but it bonds to acrylic.
Foam in a valve sausage is more economical on site - stop midway, seal, continue later. Aerosol without a gun is convenient for small one-off repairs but expends completely once open.
White sanitary neutral silicone with mould inhibitor. A 280-310 ml tube fits a standard gun. Apply after fully removing old sealant and making sure both surfaces are completely dry.
Neutral silicone has no smell during application and is safe on marble, granite and metals. Acetic silicone smells of vinegar (releases acetic acid), is cheaper but can stain natural stone surfaces.
No. Paint won't bond to cured silicone. For joints that need painting, use acrylic filler instead of silicone - it's fully paintable once dry.
Sausage with a gun: more economical for large gaps, you control the flow rate and can use it in stages. Aerosol foam: convenient for small gaps and one-off repairs, but fully expends once the nozzle is opened.
Silicone tube after first use: cap with a nail or the original cap, store cool - 3-6 months. Foam sausage in a sealed gun: 6-12 months from manufacture date. Check the date printed on the packaging.
