FAQ

HOW ARE INSTATRIM PRODUCTS DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER CAULK STRIPS ON THE MARKET?
With our Patented “wing” design and a proprietary high-performance adhesive, InstaTrim products will conform and seal to
almost any application surface including ceramic tile, laminate, solid surfaces, wood, metal and much more.
Caulk strips you may have seen on the market are mostly made in China, are bulky, unattractive and use sub-par two-sided
tape for adhesive. These products have the reputation of being cheap-looking with adhesive that does not last. InstaTrim
products are easy to use, mess-free, last for years and will leave your project looking clean and professional, every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SIZE TO ORDER?
There are currently two widths of InstaTrim products available.
Half-inch wide will cover gaps up to ¼-inch wide and ¾-inch
wide strips will cover gaps up to 3/8-inch wide.
NOTE: We're creating a new, one-inch wide trim for larger
gaps - expected to be ready in late-2022.
HOW DO I PREVENT WATER FROM GETTING UNDER
THE TRIM AND CAUSING MOLD AND MILDEW?
With five US Patents on the design, the wings are designed to
push back against the surface beyond the adhesive creating
an extra layer of protection from moisture, dirt and air.
When you push the strip into the corner, the adhesive will
spread and grab onto the surface. Some of the adhesive will
spread onto the edges of the wings to help keep moisture
from seeping under.
In addition, we use high-grade PVC that contains a UV stabilizer
and a fungicide to keep mold and mildew from growing.
WHEN USED ON TILE, HOW DOES INSTATRIM
STICK TO THE DIPS BETWEEN THE TILES?
InstaTrim will conform to most grout lines provided they are
not deeper than about 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
The putty-like adhesive will conform to the grout lines. If you
are still able to see small gaps under the wings and to
ensure water doesn't get behind the wings, or for deeper
grout joints, you can add a small amount of non-silicone
caulk to fill the small gaps as needed.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THERE IS
SILICONE ON THE SURFACE?
Silicone caulk is a “rubbery” textured product with unique
characteristics not common to any other material. If InstaTrim
products aren’t sticking or losing the adhesion in a short
period of time, most likely there is silicone residue on the
surface. Full instructions on how remove silicone and prep the
surface can be found in our downloadable “Instructions PDF”.
CAN I USE INSTATRIM ON EXTERIOR
SURFACES IF I LIVE IN A CLIMATE THAT
GETS EXTREMELY HOT OR COLD?
Yes, you can! For best results and ease of use, we recom-
mend installing the trim strips when the air temperature is
around 65°F to 70°F. Once installed, it will remain attached
in any temperature. Our products are manufactured in and
distributed from Minnesota where our testing involves
exterior surfaces in all weather extremes.
HOW DO I REMOVE INSTATRIM IN THE FUTURE?
InstaTrim can be easily removed at any time. Use a putty
knife to gently lift the end of the trim strip, grasp the end and
slowly pull it backward and away from the surface. Some
adhesive will remain, however you can remove most of it
with a razor blade or your fingers. Our adhesive sticks to
itself very well, so you can ball up a small amout and rub it
on the remaining bits to pull the smaller pieces of adhesive
from the surface. Follow up with acetone and a soft cloth to
dissolve any remaining residue.
DO YOU SELL INSTATRIM IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
InstaTrim Products are available to the US, Canada and
United Kingdom from our website, www.InstaTrim.com and
to the following countries: Germany, France, Italy, Poland,
Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, and the United Kingdom
through Amazon.
Don’t see the answer you’re looking for
or need help troubleshooting?
Contact us at directly at:
[e-mail]
DOES INSTATRIM WORK ON CURVES AND
HOW DO I INSTALL IT AROUND CORNERS?
Our products are flexible enough to smoothly go around
curves. If the curve is tight, InstaTrim may not be right for the
job. However, we have found that warming up the trim with a
hairdryer prior to installation will soften the PVC enough to
allow it to bend easier around curves. When the strip cools
down, it will remain in the curved shape.
For 90-degree corners a mitered splice is required. Full
instructions on how to do this can be found in our download-
able “Instructions PDF”.
NOTE: New Corner & End Trim Caps will be available Spring
2022. The caps will make it even easier for you to finish your
trim projects.