Can I touch up sunken caulk after it has been applied incorrectly? Yes, you can apply additional caulk over areas that have settled after the initial application. Best Practices for Re-Caulking: 1. For Older Installations: If the existing caulk has been in place for an extended period and has fully cured or “seasoned,” it is best to prepare the seam before applying more caulk. The recommended method is to cut a shallow “vee” (V-shaped groove) into the existing seam. This increases the surface area for better adhesion. After veeing the joint, thoroughly wipe the area with a clean rag soaked in acetone, then apply the new caulk. 2. For Newer Installations: If the caulk was applied recently (within a week or two), the surface is still fresh and may not require veeing. In this case, simply clean the area with acetone and apply additional caulk directly over the low or settled spots. General Reminder: Regardless of the age of the installation, always clean the surface with a rag soaked in acetone just before applying new caulk. This ensures a clean, contaminant-free bonding surface and helps the new caulk adhere properly.

Modern Sailing Deck with Gray Caulking

Teak deck caulking and seam condition is a critical indicator of a boat deck’s quality. Inspecting the caulking and seams can determine the overall deck condition, teak deck thickness, and remaining life of the deck. MISSING OR DETACHED CAULKING  On a dry deck, examine the seams between the planks to look for missing or detached caulking. If no caulk seam failures are visible, wet the boat deck. As the deck dries, look for areas along the edges of the caulk seams that stay wet longer than the surrounding teak. This is where caulk failures may exist.