In message , Lobster
writes
I assume that this means that there is too much silicone laid down in
the
first place but if I don't put enough down I get gaps in the smoothed
bead.

Yes - you need to get the balance right and judge how much silicone to apply
in the first place; it may mean varying the bead thickness according to the
size of the gap to be filled as you move along the interface

Or do it in two passes, one to fill the gaps and holes, and the second
to give a nice finished profile

--
geoff