"RicodJour" wrote in message
...
On Sep 4, 12:29 pm, "RogerT" wrote:

I have a new Formica-type/laminate kitchen countertop....
I used clear 100% silicone to seal around the top ...

You should avoid having 100% silicone caulk where one of the surfaces
is painted. It makes subsequent painting more problematic. You don't
need silicone between a backsplash and a wall - paintable caulk is
superior in that application.

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Thanks. I used clear on top because I thought that white would not
lookright even though the walls are white. I thought the white would show a
jagged edge. But, now that you mentioned tape below, I guess I could have
taped the top edge and then caulked with white -- and, as you suggested,
probably paintable caulk.

The problem I am having when I try using the clear 100% silicone is that
the
space where the backsplash meets the countertop is really very thin ....

Tape both sides of the joint with blue masking tape set about 1/8"
from the joint on either side, then run a bead of clear silicone,
strike it off and really push it in to the joint, smooth the bead with
a finger, then scrape off everything that's on the tape to clean it
off, pull the tape off at a sharp angle bending back on itself, spritz
a fine mist of water with a couple drops of soap in the water on the
joint, then with a finger dipped in the wet-soapy water press down the
edges of the caulking bead that was lifted up when the tape was
removed. The water keeps the caulk from sticking to whatever is wet.
When you're done there should be hardly any caulk visible at all.

+++++++++++++

Thanks again. I think I'll try that. I hadn't thought about using tape. I
think that may work.