For reasons unknown, the companies that make caulk long ago settled on 10-ounce tubes. That size is fine for most jobs but sometimes it would be easier to use a much smaller tube.
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Enter the Finish Line Caulk System, which allows you to transfer caulk from a standard tube to a syringe with a tip that will dispense an extremely thin bead.
The system comes in a kit and consists of a transfer tool, syringe, three tips, and a cap. The transfer tool threads onto the business end of a syringe and screwed into the cut tip of a tube of caulk, which can be pumped into the syringe with the gun.
Once filled, the syringe can be equipped with a dispensing tip and used to lay down fine beads of caulk. The cap screws onto the end of the transfer tool and can be used to keep the remaining caulk in the tube fresh.
The Finish Line Caulk System was invented by Tim Zartman, a remodeler whose picky clients do not want to see the tiniest of gaps between anything. He sometimes had trouble applying a small enough bead and getting at things with a full-size gun so he came up with a way to pump caulk into a syringe and use it in place of a gun. A syringe is far more maneuverable and able to lay down a much finer bead.
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The transfer tool is proprietary, but I’m not sure about the caps and tips. The syringes are standard and can be purchased elsewhere. They’re included with the system as a matter of convenience.f
It’s said to be compatible with most standard sized tubes of caulk, silicone, or adhesive.
Price: $9 + shipping for the starter kit, $20 + shipping for the “Pro Pack”
Buy Now(Starter Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Pro Pack via Amazon)
More Info(via Finish Line Caulk)
Replacement parts and bulk packs are also available.
First Thoughts
I saw the Finish Line Caulk System at the National Hardware Show and my initial thought was “man, how clever”. Then I began wondering what I might actually use the thing for. It wasn’t till I watched some of Zartman’s videos that I was reminded of situations where caulking with a syringe could make a difference.
In one video he recaulks the joint between a quartz countertop and tile backsplash. Doing this with a conventional gun would mean overfilling the joint to get the caulk back in there and then wiping off the excess.
It’d be easy enough with water-based caulk; remove the excess by wiping back and forth with a damp sponge. It’d be messier with silicone or some other material that’s not easily dissolved. And no matter what kind of caulk is used, wiping or tooling could cause some of the excess to ooze into the grout joints above. It has happened to me and it’s a hassle to remove caulk from the ends of so many grout joints.
Zartman avoids this problem by dispensing caulk into the gap and laying down a finer bead than would be possible with a gun. There is no excess and he need only tool it smooth with a finger. I can picture any number of common finish applications where there would be value in using just enough, but not too much caulk.
Given how inexpensive the product is it wouldn’t take long for it to save enough caulk to pay for itself. Though really, the greatest saving would come from spending less time removing excess caulk.
Stuart’s Note: Our kitchen was remodeled a year ago, and it wasn’t before long that the thin grout between countertop and backsplash started to crumble off in some places. During a following visit, our contractor laid out a tiny color-matched bead behind the sink, but there are other places I’ve been meaning to freshen up. I am not very good when it comes to delicate and precise caulking tasks. This seems like a great product for someone like me to apply a small amount of caulk without leaving wide or unsightly beads due to inexperience. There are some other places, such as where the new bathroom door frame settled, and at the top of the bathroom baseboard trim, which can use precision-applied caulk.
Videos Demos
Step 1: Prep Your Caulk Tube
Step 2: Fill Your Syringe
Step 3: Get to Work
Woodchuck
This will be fantastic for PVC glue that comes in a caulk tube (project I’m getting ready to do). Since the glue roughens up the PVC, delicate application of glue to plug holes will make life MUCH easier. I’m all in on this tool!
Jim Felt
I’m buying this set for one of my painters. He’ll thank me after getting used to this. And after watching the YouTube videos.
Nathan
I was thinking of other adhesives and sealants besides caulk – but yes.
great idea.
Jim Felt
Maybe as a one time use?
Chris Fyfe
Concept looks valid !
Farid
Neat kit. The adapter between the caulk gun and the syringe is really the best part for home users. That reduces messes greatly. I may pick one up.
But this is really nothing new. We’ve been doing this at my work for over 20 years. Just search online for Luer Lock dispensing needles. Example:
https://www.amazon.com/HUAHA-Needles-Set-10pcs-Indutrial-Different/dp/B01KZBFNTQ/
We also use pneumatic controlled guns at work for caulk and high viscosity Zinc-oxide. We place the compound in plastic cartridge and we use fine stainless needle tip . The pneumatic gun is great for control and relief from hand cramps
You can see some here
https://www.mcmaster.com/#pneumatic-glue-applicators/=18s50kv
You can also find various tip styles and bulk-load caulk guns here.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/3484/=18s4yz3
You can buy squeeze bottles like the ones pictured here at hobby and craft stores and online:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#needle-applicators/=18s58fr
FineLine bottles can be found locally at Hobby Lobby and others or online:
https://www.amazon.com/Fineline-Applicators/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_7867017011?ie=UTF8&node=7867017011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Fineline+Applicators
The above are great for glue and graphite application (Blick art supply is great place to buy powdered graphite for reasonable cost)
Stuart
It looks like a standard Luer Lock interface to me too, but I would advise against going to “build your own kit” route, at least at first. My instinct is to try what works first, and expand after that.
Needle applicators might be too narrow, flexible, or large to handle caulk and caulk-like materials. Someone inexperienced with syringe applicators might stumble a bit before finding the right combination of syringe size and tip size.
Farid
Point taken. And the kit price is not bad either. I am not sure that it was invented though – more like kitted together and sold as something new.
We do use materials much higher viscosity than normal calk that goes through 1/16″ tips. We also have some flexible clear Teflon tubing Luer lock “needles” that you simply cut to length and shape. The ones we use are also 1/16″ diameter .
As for the plastic tip shown in the photos, we buy those by hundreds for applying adhesive. You can cut those and customize the opening to a degree. They are also available at hobby stores in case one needs a replacement.
David Frane
The syringes and tips are off-the-shelf stuff–which Zartman includes as a convenience to those who would not know where to find them or not need them in quantity. The only thing new is the piece that fits into the end of the caulk tube and screws onto the syringe for filling.
Farid
Yes, the adapter is the part I was interested in. You can easily fill the syringe by removing the plunger, but you often end up with large pockets of air that may ruin the bead consistency during application. It also gets messy after a couple of refills.
Tim Alan
Hi farid,
I invented the Finish Line Precision Caulking System. You are right. most parts are outsourced. However, the transfer piece which allows quick, mess free filling of the syringe is 100% my invention. Know one on the market has this little gadget! I appreciate your interest!
Drew M
I’ve used Leur Lok dispensing needles and syringes for years. I’d buy his adapter but I’m not paying for his likely marked up syringes and nozzles.
One of my favorite tricks is to jam a Leur Lok needle onto a Hysol gun nozzle. With one of the 0.050″ needles, you can be very precise with your epoxy.
firefly
Thanks Farid, I wasn’t aware of the Leur Lok standard but I am certainly glad that there is one existing.
Thanks for the links as well. I don’t know how you guys were able to find so many needle applicator. I wanted one a few year ago to refill hydraulic oil in a long hydraulic ramp and I had the hardest time finding one…
Farid
Glad it helped someone. There is always great info and help on this forum.
Brian
maybe Im missing something… but why not just screw a finer tip onto the existing tube?
Not sure I see a reason to transfer the caulk to a syringe?
Neil
It would be nice for a tight spot such as baseboard behind a toilet.
firefly
I have similar thought as well. I see the advantage to transfer to the syringe but I think it should be designed in such a way that allow the tip to be directly screwed onto the existing tube adapter. That way it can be use either way.
Farid
Don’t mean to beat this to death, but I do recall now a similar kit available for injecting glue under wall paper edges. It had curved and straight polypropylene tips.
fred
There are lots of syringes sold for glue injection – wallpaper or otherwise. Some claim to be high-pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/Maxmetrix-19405-High-Pressure-Injector/dp/B001C4QSWM
If you know someone who works in the medical/veterinary field – you can probably get some disposable irrigation syringes retrieved from the trash – or not wanting to clean these up – you can buy ones on Amazon.
Syringes can also be handy for flushing parts with solvents/lubricants or extracting liquids. A lowly Turkey baster can come in handy – or you can buy specialized “syringes” for bicycle repair or automotive use:
https://www.amazon.com/Extraction-Filling-Syringe-1500-Cc/dp/B00JSY9AWI/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1501847655&sr=1-1&keywords=B00JSY9AWI
Farid
Thanks, Fred. Some pretty handy injectors. That extraction syringe is really expensive!
I have a couple of large feeding* syringes with a long silicone tube that I got from a doctor. Those are great for extracting brake fluid or steering pump fluid from reservoir
* Feeding syringes are for pushing liquefied food into your mouth or throat after jaw surgery
fred
I should have looked at the price. The Amazon listing is for a 3rd Party vendor who’s gouging. At JB Tool sales its selling for under $45
glenn
This looks like a good concept, especially as you cam use what ever colour you require.
Although not refillable and available in one colour only, we have been using these aerosol type canisters made by Selleys called Ezi Press.
We don’t use caulk often but find these easy to use as they are compact and due to their adjustable outlet flow, allow an even and accurate bead. Almost like using a powered caulking gun but micro sized.
Another bonus is they are never clogged up when you go to use them.
More expensive than regular tubes? Yes it is, but for limited use like ours, the convenience outweighs the cost.
Not sure though if you guys in the USA have these though.
http://www.selleys.com.au/fillers-putty/flexible-gap-filler/selleys-no-more-gaps-fast-dry/
fred
Here is another option for coloring caulking:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Devil-4074-Create-Color/dp/B00OXVGC36/ref=sr_1_3?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1501848584&sr=1-3&keywords=CREATE+A+COLOR
firefly
Look like a nice kit with reasonable price. I will pick one up next time I need some caulking done.