Wiping silicone sealant on shorts

[Mattnew2002]

OK I happily admit I'm rubbish at applying silicone, caulk, mastic. You name it I'm bad at it and yes I've tried every tool in the book. I can live with it - that's not what I'm posting about.

When mastic'ing/caulking I find by far the most convenient and effective place to wipe excess silicone/caulk either from my fugi or finger is the trousers/shorts/shirt I'm wearing. They are convenient, hands free, they don't go missing, they don't leave bits of tissue on the tool and I can press hard to get tools/fingers properly clean.

Problem is of course I go through a lot of trousers and shirts this way as they soon start looking like a plasterer's radio and get a bit too manky to put in the washing machine.

Has anyone got any tips and tricks on what works best as a rag/method to clean off fugi tools/gun tips/fingers when mastic'ing? I have tried a rag stuffed down my belt (flops around, falls off) and tissue (leaves fluff, gets everywhere, takes a hand out of action), but my current strategy is just buying a lot of shorts and shirts and replacing them often.

Thanks in advance.

 

[muggles]

I use blue roll

 

[Jurassicspark]

Baby wipes do a good job.

What makes the silicone end up at your finger?

 

[CountryFan]

I use blue roll

I use a combination of this and or trade wipes (usually using these first).

 

[Old Salt]

What about an apron similar to those worn by waiters?

 

[Madrab]

+2 - good quality blue roll, it's thicker than the average bear, or the cardboard that whatever I'm fitting came in.

 

[Mattnew2002]

thanks everyone some interesting answers - sounds like there's nothing out there i haven't tried already - although maybe i'll try some big wipes whilst i have a few in the house. didn't think much of the screwfix version. definitely on board with "wiping it on the cardboard" option - basically if there is something lying around i know i can chuck (usually an old towel) that is my second choice.

 

[foxhole]

Wet cloth for dec caulk, rag damp with white spirit for silicone.

 

[dilalio]

My apprentice's t-shirt.
Whilst he's wearing it.