Achieving the perfect color match

Did you know that it’s possible for caulk beads to “disappear” when the right product is used? If you walk into the standard hardware store, you might have 4-5 color options from which to pick: clear, white, tan, and gray.  With those limited color options, there’s a chance you’ll have contrast, rather than a professional-looking finish where your backsplash transitions to your countertop. That’s why Sashco developed the eXact Color product: a system designed to eliminate guesswork and give you a precise, repeatable color match for your sealant.

Here’s how to get it right.

What Is eXact Color?

eXact Color® is Sashco’s color-matching system that allows you to create custom-colored caulking on-demand using the same paint or stain that you used on your project.

Instead of choosing from a limited set of pre-made colors, you choose your own paint (whether it be a solid color, a latex metallic paint, or even a semi-transparent stain).

And the result isn’t approximate-it’s exact.  Since it’s utilizing the same paint as the rest of your project, you won’t have to worry about it being “close.”  The caulking is built to accept paint and to dry down to the same color.  This system is built for pros, but easy enough for DIYers to use—to deliver that clean, professional look. 

How the System Works

1. Start with Your Actual Paint or Stain

Don’t rely on color names or swatches. Always use the real product that will be applied on the project.  Note that the paint you’re adding must be thoroughly mixed to be the same color as the rest of the project.  If you don’t mix the paint before adding it to the eXact color, you can’t expect it to match well.

2. Inject the paint into the caulking cartridge

After cutting off the tip of the cartridge, you add your paint into the cartridge using the supplied syringe.  It’s a straightforward (and somewhat fun) process, even without a medical degree. 

3. Mix Thoroughly

With non-white/gray colors, you can actually watch the paint work it’s way throughout the cartridge.  Look for the marbling to disappear as the paint mixes in completely.  You want one consistent color.  It usually takes about a minute of shaking the cartridge by hand. A fully blended cartridge ensures consistent color from the first bead to the last. 

4. Mix in the thickener

This is where many people cut corners—and it shows.  Once you’re happy with the color of the sealant from mixing in your paint, you want to add the thickener and mix it in as well.  It feels like the thickener is fully in there after just a few seconds…but keep mixing!  In this step, it also takes a full minute to get the thickener fully mixed in.  We’ll occasionally get folks who complain about the product feeling too thin…and it’s often the case that they under-mixed the thickener. 

5.  Wait

It takes 30 minutes for the caulk to develop fully.  Note that you can wait longer than that.  Lots of folks mix it up the day before the job.  Attempting to caulk before it’s ready can result in a product that feels too thin.

6. Apply

Once your color is dialed in:

• Apply to clean, dry surfaces
• Use proper joint design (backer rod when needed)
• Tool the bead using a light, skimming touch combined with water or clear window cleaner to help get a clean bead

Even the perfect color won’t look good if the application is sloppy.

Where eXact Color Really Shines

The most common applications that I run into are siding, cabinets, countertops, and trim.  Getting a trim/backsplash connection the right color can be a bear, but not with eXact Color.  And if your caulking is failing in siding joints, simply mix in the exterior paint (it’s probably in a pail in the basement) and you can have the repair looking like it was done by a professional.  (Note that the paints you mix in to eXact Color must be water-based.  Oil and water don’t’ mix, so oil-based products won’t blend in with eXact Color). 

The Bottom Line

Custom color caulking doesn’t have to be a compromise anymore.

With eXact Color, you’re not having to guess or settle. You’re creating a sealant that matches your exact finish—while still delivering the performance you expect from a Sashco product that works.