Flexible Trim & Moulding Resources

Upgrade Your Stairs with InstaTrim: A Peel and Stick Trim  If you’ve ever tackled a home improvement project, you know that caulking can be a real headache—it’s messy, it’s fickle, and it definitely isn’t a simple task for beginners. So, when I stumbled upon InstaTrim, a game-changing self-adhesive caulk substitute, I needed to test it out.  InstaTrim’s self-adhesive caulk substitute creates a clean, professional finish on staircases without the mess of traditional caulking. Why I Used InstaTrim Instead of Caulk My staircase renovation was almost complete; however, there was one last detail bugging me—the gaps where the treads meet the risers and stringers on three sides. Normally, I would have used caulk, but let’s be honest, I didn’t feel like taping every single step. Fortunately, I had heard about InstaTrim (flexible caulk strips), so I reached out to the company to see if they’d be interested in working together—and they sent me some to try! THE BEFORE: Carpeted Staircase; that was worn down, dirty and not at all practical THE AFTER: Freshly renovated staircase showcasing the clean and polished look after applying InstaTrim. What Makes InstaTrim Different? InstaTrim is a peel and stick trim that molds to surfaces using a putty adhesive, creating a seamless and tight seal. Unlike traditional caulk, there’s no mess, no odor, and no waiting around for it to dry. Plus, it’s completely removable, making it a great option for renters. Here’s what I loved about it: Mess-Free Application – No dripping, no smearing, and no cleanup required. Beginner-Friendly – If you can peel a sticker, you can apply InstaTrim. Flexible & Durable – It bends around corners and stays put. Made in the USA – High-quality and family-owned, which is always a plus. Non-Toxic & Safe – Perfect for any area of the home, including kitchens and bathrooms. INSTATRIM: Caulk Alternative What You’ll Need How To Install Instatrim Finished Look – Before & After Where to Buy Instatrim FAQs About InstaTrim Peel and Stick Trim What You’ll Need Cutting board or a piece of scrap wood Razor blade or Scissors Soft lint-free cloth  Acetone  Soft bristle brush or scrub sponge  Caulk removal tool (optional) Hair dryer (optional) Permanent glue (for splicing two pieces together)   Applicator Tool Instatrim How To Install Instatrim The process was ridiculously simple, and here’s what I did: Time needed: 3 hours How I Applied InstaTrim to My Stairs Unroll The Spool and Let It Rest  Prep the Surface Next, I made sure the stairs were clean and dry. Any dust or leftover debris can impact adhesion, so I wiped everything down thoroughly with Acetone. (FYI the instructions specifically say not to use cleaners with oil, wax or silicone)  Applying InstaTrim I started by peeling back a small piece of the liner and applied it flush with the inside corner of the staircase. I used my hands at first to gently press the trim into place. I moved along peeling back the liner slowly. When I neared the end I used a screwdriver to make an indent on on the trim to show where to cut. Then I cut about 1/8″ inch past the indent. Ensure a Tight Seal I pressed the applicator tool firmly so the adhesive would spread and grab onto the entire inside corner. I used a flat head screwdriver to press the corners in firmly. Tips for Installing Insta-Trim: – Make sure it’s above 68 degrees when you’re working on this. – Skip the cleaners that have oil, wax, or silicone in them. – Be careful not to stretch the trim while applying it – A hairdryer can help warm up the strip, making it easier to bend around curves. – Don’t put it over any old caulk. – Just like with traditional molding, you can join two pieces at a 45-degree angle. Finished Look – Before & After I was honestly shocked at how professional the results looked. The gaps disappeared, and the edges of my staircase now have a clean, polished finish without the headache of caulk. And the best part? No waiting for anything to dry! BEFORE AFTER Where to Buy Instatrim Shop InstaTrim for your next DIY project ➡️ HERE Product Options Thickness: 1/2″ trim – Covers gaps up to 1/8″ wide 3/4″ trim – Covers gaps up to 3/8″ wide Length Options: Available in 10ft and 50ft rolls, perfect for small touch-ups or larger projects. Color Choices: Ivory, Gray, Dark Brown, Black, White, Bronze Where Can You Use InstaTrim? InstaTrim sticks to a variety of surfaces, making it ideal for: Kitchens: Seal gaps around backsplashes, countertops, and cabinets. Bathrooms: Create a waterproof seal around sinks, tubs, and showers. Floors & Baseboards: Cover expansion gaps between floors and walls. Windows & Doors: Prevent drafts and dust buildup. *Waterproof & Stain-Resistant, works on Painted Surfaces and Can Be Painted!  FAQs About InstaTrim Peel and Stick Trim Can InstaTrim be removed without damage? Yes! InstaTrim is renter-friendly and can be removed without damaging surfaces. Just peel it off carefully, and any remaining adhesive can be cleaned with a mild remover. Can it be used on uneven surfaces? According to the product description, it is flexible enough to conform to any edge or surface.It works well on uneven surfaces, but you might have an issue with adhesion on textured surfaces. Can I use InstaTrim on ceilings or carpets? No, InstaTrim is not designed for ceilings or carpets. It’s best used on solid, smooth surfaces where a tight seal is needed. Is it suitable for outdoor applications? It can be installed outdoors. They recommend installing the trim strips when the temperature is 65°F to 70°F for best results. Can you paint Instatrim? Yes, you can paint it. The company recommends latex-based paints for the best results.  InstaTrim: Peel and Stick Caulk and Trim This turned out to be the perfect solution for my staircase, and I’ll definitely be using it in other projects around my home. If you want a simple, mess-free alternative to caulk that still looks professional, this is it! The beautifully renovated staircase featuring wooden treads and a seamless integration with white risers, showcasing the clean finish achieved without traditional caulk. You can check out InstaTrim here and see for yourself how easy it is to upgrade your home without the hassle of caulking. As On Maple Lane describes, “InstaTrim is a flexible trim solution that sticks to most surfaces and requires no caulking or mess” (source).

In a fast-paced commercial kitchen, maintaining cleanliness, efficiency, and durability is essential. With heavy foot traffic, constant food preparation, and rigorous cleaning routines, surfaces and corners are prone to wear and tear.

Smart films are transforming the way we think about windows, doors, and privacy partitions. Rather than bulky curtains or shades, smart film, also known as smart tint, transforms windows instantly from clear to opaque with the push of a button. This new trend is being used to upgrade clinics, stores, homes, and more.   Whether you’re installing it in a home, office, or storefront, installing it correctly from the start is crucial. InstaTrim Flexible Trim Products provide a new and simple solution for making smart films easy to install and offer a clean and aesthetically pleasing trim solution for window films.    A requirement of installing smart films is to caulk the edges of the film including the “Bus” Bar that provides electricity to the film. Most people admittedly do not know how to use caulking in a way that doesn’t look like a disaster when they are done. By using InstaTrim you will achieve an even, clean, and appealing finish along the edges of the film where it meets the window frame. With six common colors and two size options your finished project will look more professional and blend in with the window frame. 1. Power & Wiring: Getting the Basics Right  Unlike regular glass, smart film isn’t just a static material—it needs power to work! Here’s what you’ll need:  ✅ Voltage Requirements – Most smart film operates on low voltage (usually between 12V–110V), be sure your electrical system can support it. ✅ Wiring Considerations – Smart film needs a power connection, so plan for hidden wiring within the window frame or wall. ✅ Control Systems – Decide how you want to operate it. Options include wall switches, remote controls, motion sensors, or smart home integration (Alexa, Google Home, etc.).  💡 Pro Tip: If you’re installing multiple panels, consider a centralized power system to manage everything more efficiently.  2. Choosing the Right Frame & Film Type  Smart film isn’t a one-size-fits-all product, so selecting the right size and film type is essential.  🔹 Custom Sizing – Smart film is versatile so you can cut it to fit your window by using a sharp scissors or knife. 🔹 Frame Material – InstaTrim caulk replacement strips adhere to most surfaces, aluminum, wood, and PVC frames all work well.. 🔹 Edge Sealing – Proper sealing prevents moisture from damaging the internal layers of the smart glass. Many people use caulk to trim the edges around the frame. Using InstaTrim Flexible Trim Products to replace caulking is easier, mess-free and looks more appealing than caulk.  💡 Pro Tip: Replace caulking with InstaTrim to achieve a more professional result in less time.3. Environmental & Structural Considerations  Before installation, make sure your space can handle smart film effectively.  🌡 Temperature Sensitivity – Some smart film (like PDLC) doesn’t perform well in extreme cold or heat. Check the product specs before buying! 🛠 Flat Surfaces Only – The installation surface must be smooth and clean to prevent vidual defects.  💡 Pro Tip: If you live in a humid area, choose a product with extra moisture resistance to prevent long-term damage.   4. Connectivity & Smart Home Integration  Smart film is more than just a window cover—it’s an interactive feature. If you love automation, here’s what to consider:  📱 Smart Home Compatibility – Many smart film systems can connect with Alexa, Google Home,  and other smart home devices for voice-activated control. 🖥 Manual vs. Automated Control – Do you want a simple on/off switch, or would you prefer an app that lets you adjust transparency levels from anywhere? 🎚 Dimming & Tinting Options – Some smart film options offer adjustable opacity instead of just full transparency or full privacy.  💡 Pro Tip: If you're integrating smart film into an existing smart home system, check for compatibility before purchasing.  5. DIY vs. Professional Installation: What’s Best?  🛠 DIY Installation – If you’re using smart film on an average size window, a DIY approach is possible. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully! 🏢 Professional Installation – If you’re installing full smart film panels in doors, windows, or commercial spaces, hiring an expert is the best way to ensure a flawless install.  💡 Pro Tip: Even if you go the DIY route, consulting an electrician for the wiring is a smart move.    Final Thoughts: Is Smart Film Worth It?  Absolutely! Smart films are a game-changer for privacy, energy efficiency, and modern aesthetics. Whether you’re upgrading your home, office, or storefront, proper installation is key to maximizing its benefits.  Using InstaTrim Flexible Trim Products allows you to provide a more professional looking and finished project that increases customer satisfaction! 

We've all been there—it's late at night, you flip on a light, and suddenly roaches scatter across the floor, retreating to their hiding spots in gaps around your baseboards. Ants, roaches, and even worms are drawn to these tiny spaces, especially in the kitchen, where crumbs turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet. While pesticides can help, do you really want to spray harmful chemicals inside your home? For households with small children or pets, that’s an even bigger concern.     Thankfully, there’s a safe, effective alternative: InstaTrim’s new Bug Barrier. This Innovative solution seals those gaps and creates a protective barrier, keeping bugs out of your living spaces.  Seal the Cracks and Lock the Bugs Out  InstaTrim’s Bug Barrier is unlike anything else on the market, even caulk. Featuring patented technology, it seals tightly against two surfaces using a strong adhesive and flexible wings, ensuring a double layer of protection. Plus, it’s non-toxic and certified safe with an ASTM 4236 rating, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals.  And InstaTrim isn’t just functional—it’s stylish too. Available in six popular colors, it blends seamlessly with your décor. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to use. Just peel, stick, and you’re done!   How to Apply InstaTrim Bug Barrier  Installing InstaTrim is simple and requires no special skills or tools. Here’s how to do it:  Prep the Surface: Clean the area with a rag and isopropyl alcohol or acetone to remove dirt and grease. Let it dry completely.  Apply InstaTrim: Peel off the backing and press the InstaTrim into place along the gap.  Trim to Fit: Use a razor blade to cut to size.  For an even easier installation, add InstaTrim’s pre-finished corner pieces, which create a seamless look that matches your décor. InstaTrim “bug barrier” also provides an easy to clean smooth surface that you will love!  Stop the bugs and add InstaTrim on your baseboards for that perfect finish.  Bonus Benefits of InstaTrim  Not only does InstaTrim keep bugs out, but it also adds a polished finish to your baseboards. Its smooth surface is easy to clean, making it a win-win for style and functionality.  Don’t let bugs take over your home—seal those gaps and cracks with InstaTrim’s Bug Barrier. Say goodbye to pests and hello to a cleaner, more comfortable home!  SHOP OUR CURRENT BUG COLLECTION ON AMAZON

Exciting Updates from InstaTrim! 🚀 Hi InstaTrim Family & Friends , I'm thrilled to share some exciting news on behalf of the InstaTrim team! ✨ Founder's Note Our journey has always been about innovation and excellence. We believe in pushing the boundaries and setting new industry standards. Our latest milestone is a testament to this belief. 🆕 What's New? We are proud to announce that InstaTrim has obtained new patents for our cutting-edge Corner and Ends technology! This achievement underscores our commitment to bringing you the most advanced and reliable products on the market. But that's not all! Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to expand our offerings and enhance our services. 💡 Key Updates Patent Milestone: New patents obtained for our Corner technology, marking a significant step forward in our innovation journey. Upcoming Events: Keep an eye out for our upcoming events where we'll showcase our latest advancements and connect with industry leaders. Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of the InstaTrim journey. Let's keep innovating and making a difference together! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more about our latest achievements. #InstaTrim #Innovation #Milestone #Patents #TechnologyAdvancement

After 15 years we have finally gotten our InstaTrim Products into Menards, a regional big box store in the Midwest. We have dreamed about this for years and it has always been our ultimate goal. However, reality rarely matches what you have dreamt about all this time, and we are about to enter a very cutthroat selling environment.  After 15 years of selling our products on Ecommerce platforms we are entering the retail marketplace. It is very exciting and almost like having a child.  Finally, we have reached the “big boy” club and are excited to see where this new journey goes.  As wonderful as this is, now the real work starts and will continue for hopefully many years.  Going into the big box retail marketplace is a numbers game.  Our profit margin from ecommerce is good but the volume is not anything near what a big box store can do.  Volume, volume, volume.  Would you prefer to sell 1,000 products with a 40% profit margin or sell 10,000 products with a 15% profit margin?  The game becomes one of reducing our manufactured price by volume purchasing because there is more risk and stress for us as we purchase high volumes of raw materials and wait for the next purchase order to come in. Now that the celebration is done, we now must deal with the elephant in the room.  We are not 100% in control.  Any large retailer is going to have very strict expectations with any new product going onto their shelves.  Keep in mind that the shelf space you see containing numerous products is very valuable.  The retail chains’ revenue stream depends on the buyers’ selecting products that will sell and will achieve the dollars per square foot to meet the retailer’s forecasts. We knew going in that price negotiations would be generally one-sided and not in our favor so the process for us to make sure we knew exactly what the COGS (cost of goods sold) is for each product.  This includes manufacturing InstaTrim, packaging, shipping, commissions and more.  Since we work through a distributor, we did not have to deal with the store chain ourselves and could concentrate on running the rest of the business.  This is a huge time saver for us but it also costs money.  Simply another discount to the distributor. Creating new packaging must be approved by the retailer and the “exact” dimensions of each package so the store can set up their Planogram (this is the plan to layout organize all products in the store for maximum inventory and visibility).  Our first purchase order was to get our products to the distributor and is one of the largest we have ever received! Now we wait with anticipation until we hear from the retail buyer how sales are going.  For the first three months there was very little retail input as it simply takes time for the consumer to start seeing our products and ultimately purchasing.  From our perspective, sales appear very good, but we really don’t know what the buyer has set as a forecast for sales per square foot on our space. This is new territory for us and we’re fortunate to have a distributor that is on our side to ensure everything works as best it can.  We’re learning as we go and hope to expand our footprint in additional big box store chains such as Lowes and Home Depot but to do that we must perform in Menards.  Time will tell as it always does.

From the column: "I’m happy to be selling on several platforms, but our family-owned, Minnesota-made business will suffer if Attorney General Ellison and the FTC break Amazon’s successful marketplace model." Have you ever had a great idea and thought the entire world should know? In 2010, after three decades building homes in Minnesota, I invented a better, less-messy caulking product. I was sure it would be a hit with contractors and homeowners, but I knew nothing about retail or marketing and I had no budget. But I had determination and persistence, and 13 years later our little company has grown to $3 million in annual sales. Almost all of our customers buy from us online at Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, or our own website. These stores, in addition to the products they sell, have online marketplaces where anyone can list items for sale, post photos, write descriptions, and start selling. Today, nearly 80% of our sales is through Amazon, and the reasons are clear. Amazon provides access to the most customers, effective advertising tools to reach them, efficient warehouse and delivery services, and the Prime badge that customers trust. What I don’t understand is why the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and our Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison are suing Amazon and trying to change how it operates. They clearly don’t understand that Amazon is one of the better partners ever for small sellers like me. And it is misleading for the government to claim that its lawsuit protects competition when, in reality, it would protect giants like Walmart and UPS while harming small businesses like ours. I’m particularly perplexed by the government saying small businesses are bullied by Amazon and forced to pay ever-higher fees because we have no choice. We don’t feel bullied. Every day we decide — based on what’s best for our business — where to sell, how to price, whether and where to advertise, and how to ship products to customers. We choose to sell on Amazon because that’s where millions of DIY homeowners shop. We choose to advertise on Amazon because almost every advertising dollar generates more dollars in revenue. We choose to use Amazon warehouse, delivery, and customer services because they save us money, guarantee Prime delivery in two days or faster, and allow us to promote our USA-made products. In addition, outsourcing these services with Amazon lets our team spend time growing our business instead of packing, labeling, and shipping orders. To be clear, I’m a small-business founder and not an Amazon fanboy. We also love selling on Lowes.com, HomeDepot.com, and everywhere else possible and understand the benefits of having multiple online selling platforms. But, let’s face it, Amazon is the largest online-selling platform right now, and, during the pandemic, we saw a dramatic increase in sales due to our buyers being stuck at home and their easy access to our products on Amazon. The combination retail/marketplace model works so well for Amazon that it’s been copied, and that’s why we are now able to sell in the Home Depot and Lowes marketplaces. It’s wonderful how competition works; we all win when businesses recognize consumer response and follow the leader. I’m not sure why AG Ellison is trying to tear down Amazon and promote its competitors. Walmart is investing and catching up without needing government assistance, and if UPS can’t compete against Amazon delivery services then why should taxpayer money prop up UPS? Every consumer wants great products for low prices, and every seller wants to showcase its products wherever consumers gather. Today, that’s Amazon. Tomorrow, it could be any one of a number of existing platforms, such as TikTok and Shopify, or perhaps a new platform that is still just an idea in somebody's head. In January we will be in 350 big-box stores in the Midwest, and that achievement is due a lot to our success on Amazon and the access to our positive reviews and listings position. Because I’m a determined small-business owner, I would have succeeded without Amazon, even if I needed to sell at flea markets. But Amazon made it a lot easier, faster, and more profitable. I’m happy to be selling on several platforms, but our family-owned, Minnesota-made business will suffer if Attorney General Ellison and the FTC break Amazon’s successful marketplace model. Greg Amundson of Scandia, Minnesota is the inventor and founder of InstaTrim alternative caulking products. Original Article Source // Duluth News Tribune 

A hair salon, a resort and casino, camping trailer manufacture and restaurants.  What do they all have in common? They have discovered InstaTrim and the easy replacement to traditional caulking in their place of business and in manufacturing. Each customer has a completely unique problem to solve and InstaTrim is the solution. A brief description of each use: Hair Salon, Scandia, MN.  This customer was frustrated with hair clippings getting stuck under the baseboard trim in the salon making cleanup a hassle and ineffective. They installed our ¾” trim with the new corner trim pieces and solved this problem 100%. Cleanup now takes less time and the trim along the floor looks clean and professional increasing customer satisfaction and a more professional environment. Problem Solved! Resort and Casino, San Juan Island.  This resort is an upscale location, and the casino was in the process of improving and updating the bathrooms in every room.  The casino managers were looking for a better solution for the new toilets being installed as traditional silicone caulk looked unprofessional and was difficult to properly clean. Far too often the silicone caulk lost its bond to the floor and toilet and thus collected unsightly stains and odors creating a visual problem that customers did not like and often felt that the bathrooms we’re not cleaned very well. They reached out to us regarding InstaTrim as a better solution to caulk.  InstaTrim is excellent in providing a professional flexible trim and seal around the toilet base that gave the appearance of cleanliness and was also much easier to clean than caulking. Problem Solved! Camping Trailer Manufacturer, Nashville, TN.  Here again traditional caulking was creating an ongoing maintenance problem where over time it would lose its seal to the application surface and expose the gaps and cracks it was meant to cover.  InstaTrim was the solution by providing a flexible trim that would cover the gaps and cracks and provide a professional looking trim that matched the décor of the camper.  Campers will always flex, and common caulking would lose its bond to the surface.  Additionally, the temperatures of a camper could vary by as much as well over 100 degrees depending on the climate. Problem Solved! Restaurant, Scandia, MN. Restaurants are easily one of the toughest environments for any caulking product. The abuse in a kitchen is extreme with the amount of water and food that may collect on any of the stainless-steel fixtures for food prep and washing stations. Silicone caulk does not last long in these applications and water will migrate between the silicone and stainless steel rather quickly. The other more significant problem is the potential for bacteria and mold to begin growing in these cracks and crevices which the health inspector is always looking for.  InstaTrim can solve these issues with a better looking, easier to clean solution.  With proper preparation, InstaTrim can last for years on these surfaces plus will save time and money on cleaning. Problem Solved!

  Almost everyone has seen the bugs that live in the cracks at your baseboard trim, around doors and windows and any other crack in your house that gives bugs access into your living areas. And why not, it’s the perfect place to live if you’re a bug.  Ants travel through these areas all the time and it seems that no matter how much you clean these areas or use toxic bug sprays they simply go elsewhere. So, what do you do?  Cover these cracks and gaps with InstaTrim Flexible Trim and lock them out once and for all.  InstaTrim is unique and unlike any other product, even caulking! Designed with Patented Technology to seal tight against the two surfaces with the use of adhesive and our unique flexible wings that ensure a double layer of sealing. The best part is InstaTrim is simple and does not require any special tools or skill to install.  Simply clean the application surface with a rag and isopropyl alcohol or acetone, let dry and press in your InstaTrim. You will need a razor blade for cutting but that’s it! To make this project even easier, add in our pre-finished corner trim pieces for a seamless installation that looks like part of your existing trim. Featured in Ownerly: The Importance of Quick Fixes for Common Home Problems

Big Tech is a big boost to small business  By punishing large online platforms for being successful, politicians will make things harder and more expensive for small businesses throughout the state.  By Greg Amundson  APRIL 25, 2023 — 5:30PM  Opinion editor's note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes a mix of national and local commentaries online and in print each day.    SUNDRY PHOTOGRAPHY, TNS - TNS  Thirteen years ago, I made the leap. After nearly 30 years building homes on the North Shore of Lake Superior, I started a small business in our garage in Scandia, Minn. I had invented a product for contractors and homeowners, and it was time to light my entrepreneurial fire.  The first few years were bumpy for our business. It was nothing like Shark Tank, where investors throw you money and connect you to opportunities. But we had seven patents, and I knew from experience that our product would solve a common problem using traditional caulking and would be useful to people doing all sorts of home renovation projects and commercial projects.  But our challenge was clear: How would a business with just two employees reach thousands of contractors and millions of homeowners who might want to give our product a try?  Turns out the answer is: technology. One hundred percent of our sales are online. We sell on Amazon.com, Amazon.eu, Amazon.ca, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Etsy.com, Ebay.com, HSN.com and on our own branded Shopify website. Platforms like these are essential partners for small businesses. They make it easy and affordable for a small Minnesota seller to connect with customers nationally and globally.  Operationally, the platforms allow us to be in charge and help us reach the best customer prospects, transact a sale and deliver the product. We are an Amazon Prime seller, and that means we use Amazon warehouses and delivery services so customers know their order will arrive on time — sometimes the same day. Working with Amazon fulfillment services empowers us to focus on the parts of our business we are good at, while they take care of shipping and delivery at prices we cannot beat anywhere.  When the pandemic hit and people were spending a lot more time at home, interest in DIY projects skyrocketed. We got lucky when online influencers showcased our product, and sales took off. It's not just retail platforms that help us succeed, it's also Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest where we market, advertise and benefit from customer and influencer reviews.  The power of online platforms to match consumers with innovative businesses like ours has been amazing to experience.  Unfortunately, Attorney General Keith Ellison and several Minnesota legislators think the online platforms are too big and powerful, so they are supporting "abuse of dominance" legislation (HF 1563/SF 1744) that targets the giant tech platforms but will in fact hurt small businesses like ours. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is leading this effort in Congress, and that's really perplexing because she has always stood up for the little guy.  It seems these politicians don't understand that if the platforms are punished for being successful, it will make things harder and more expensive for small businesses throughout Minnesota. We could never have succeeded without the platforms.  In full candor, our experience selling online has had challenges, and all of these platforms require daily management. But we've navigated the challenges and kept our products top of mind for our target consumers. Right now, the majority of our sales are on Amazon, but we're excited about our growth on Lowes.com, HomeDepot.com, and our own website. Amazon is still the e-commerce market leader, but the others are incentivized to invest online and catch up — and our sales growth shows they are starting to succeed.  I've never seen government regulation fix a marketplace by picking winners and losers. Does anyone think the health care market is consumer-friendly? Some may think the big online platforms don't have any competition, but I'm telling you from the inside that it's just not the case. And more importantly for small businesses — the big platforms help us compete and provides us with a level playing field with the big retailers and that's what really matters.  I understand concerns about the power of large tech companies, but these bills may create more problems than they solve.  Greg Amundson of Scandia, Minn., is the inventor and founder of InstaTrim, a flexible self-adhesive caulk and trim replacement. 

Our customers are continually coming up with new and unique applications for InstaTrim Flexible Trim Products. We recently received a wonderful review from a customer that shows an excellent example of creativity and “thinking out of the box”. Barbara, was finishing up a new glass block opening in their new exercise room and got creative. Glass blocks are inexpensive and relatively easy to install and once the opening is completed, installing the blocks is somewhat like building with Legos.  Barbara made the decision to utilize our InstaTrim Products to finish off the joints between glass blocks. This is an ingenious idea and the final results turned out very well. InstaTrim Flexible Trim Products can be a fun way to “think out of the box” because InstaTrim is not just for covering cracks. With our 5 popular colors and new corner trim pieces you can add a little flair with color that is easy and fun to do literally anywhere in your home or business! Another unique and fun use is to apply InstaTrim products to enhance the face of your kitchen or bath cabinets. Most cabinets are constructed with a “face frame” that sticks out beyond the cabinet door almost in a picture frame style. Using InstaTrim to add an accent color to any old cabinets is a quick and inexpensive method to update old and tired cabinets. Using an accent color multiplies the effect and can add to the overall look of a tired kitchen and really make an impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. InstaTrim is not just a crack or gap trim. The fact that it is flexible and will stick to any corner provides flexibility for consumers to get creative and upgrade areas of their home for very little money. With our color options of White, Grey, Black, Dark Brown and Ivory you can match OR accent any space in your house or business.   

Score one for small business owners Greg and Betsy Amundson against the copycats on Amazon. Sales of their Minnesota-made InstaTrim, a no-mess caulk-alternative, were crushed on Amazon last year by Chinese imitators, threatening their future. Using Amazon's new arbitration-like remediation process, the Amundsons in January knocked out nearly 20 sellers with products that seemingly infringed on InstaTrim patents. Those sellers declined to spend $4,000 to defend their trim-like wares. For InstaTrim, victory is sweet. But doesn't guarantee survival. "The biggest lesson was never give up," said Greg Amundson, founder of the 12-year-old company. "If you keep fighting, and don't run out of money, chances are you will win. Amazon provided a platform for us to seek fairness and justice at an inexpensive price.'' Amundson, 62, almost ran out of cash. InstaTrim sales fell 77% last year from $3.5 million in 2021. The fall mostly came from Amazon, but also because of a general pullback in home remodeling and improvement last year. He considered bankruptcy until the Amazon arbitration win in January. And Amundson added, "Our Amazon sales will not rebound to previous levels without a lot of work and time. We had to change our marketing strategy as well.'' Amazon is a titanic online bazaar, not a legal regulator — and long criticized for not cracking down more on counterfeiters who knock off products from soaps, baby formula, clothing and toys to industrial products. Researchers have estimated that up to $1 trillion worth of fake goods flood the global economy annually. Many look identical to the original products, but often are produced with cheaper materials and may not perform as well. Amundson in 2022 counted 40-plus patent-infringing flexible-trim products. He spent $75,000 last year in legal fees. Amazon also has recognized the problem and worked for several years to address it. Under the relatively new Amazon Patent Evaluation Process, or APEX, complainants like InstaTrim put down $4,000 and state their case in writing to a neutral arbitrator. The defendant must also put up $4,000 and respond, or be banished from Amazon's online sales floor. InstaTrim lost its first case late in 2022. It did not sufficiently defend its patents. Amundson hired another attorney, William McKenna, who has more experience in the Amazon process. Amundson learned in January that InstaTrim won its second case. "The problem a lot of sellers face … is that even if they get patent protection, [the case] can take years and cost millions," said McKenna, an Indianapolis-based patent attorney. "Amazon to its credit — and it's not a perfect system — set up a very quick arbitration process between patent owners and the alleged infringers. It puts the burden on foreign sellers who have no intention of acting responsibly." Amundson's successful patent defense has achieved InstaTrim the powerful "trusted seller" status at Amazon. "Amazon will act on InstaTrim's [next] complaint within 48 hours and take copycats down at a much faster rate," McKenna said. "That's important." Amundson is pleased because InstaTrim products in days have regained top visibility and traction on Amazon, including new "project kits" that sell for more than $30 and are generating incremental sales. He and his family, no longer hemorrhaging money, also are less stressed. "Amazon used to be approximately 80% of our overall revenue, and sales have started to turn upward recently," Amundson said. "And our diversified marketing strategy and winning the APEX case this month are already showing sales improvement." InstaTrim is spending more on marketing and selling through its own website, Amazon Europe, Home Depot, Lowe's, eBay and Etsy websites. Dealing with more retailers also has increased costs. Amundson, who ran a custom-built home business, is a bootstrapped entrepreneur who only a few years ago moved InstaTrim from his Scandia garage to a warehouse he bought amid several years of double-digit sales gains. Today, Amundson also pays much closer attention to "Amazon copycat products" that have a whack-a-mole way of returning under new ID numbers. "We are energized and feel good about our direction,'' he said. "We realize that our Amazon sales will not rebound to previous levels without increased marketing and time. The Chinese sellers continue to sell numerous flexible-trim products. As long as their profiles do not copy our patented designs, all is good.'' Neal St. Anthony has been a Star Tribune business columnist/reporter since 1984.  Neal St. Anthony @STANTHONYSTRIB Neal.St.Anthony@startribune.com 612-673-7144 @StAnthonyStrib Star Tribune Article https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-maker-of-instatrim-back-on-track-after-a-win-against-counterfeit-sellers-on-amazon/600247049/

If you have ever been in the men’s restroom in a restaurant you have seen the ugly sloppy caulking running around the urinal. It’s impossible to avoid since you literally can’t avoid looking at it. Men’s urinals have always been a caulking nightmare and it has always surprised me how many businesses ignore this impressionable piece of their business. I get it, they are dirty, often smell and nobody wants to clean them. Unfortunately, a bad caulking job provides a fantastic environment for germs, grime, and other icky stuff we don’t want to think about. Why is a tight, smooth, waterproof seal important?  First of all, it is required by the health department.  Secondly, it is a representation of your business and shows what you care about. If the urinals and bathrooms are nasty what is your kitchen like? Let’s face it, the cleanliness of your restrooms is an impression on your business’ cleanliness overall. One of the problems with urinals is that they need to be occasionally removed from the wall to repair and/or clean out any blockage. Therefore, the lucky person that’s fixing the urinal also must reapply the caulk. Rarely do both jobs get completed professionally and it’s usually the caulking that gets the least attention. In fact, you can tell by this photo that this person either didn’t know how or didn’t care about what the caulking looked like. (This is a photo of an actual restaurant urinal – eek!) Urinals and most plumbing fixtures are unique in that the porcelain surfaces are very “hydrophobic” which means it repels water, the same as most caulking. Which is why plumbers use caulk to seal the gap around the fixture and keep moisture from getting behind the urinal. Here’s the catch, caulk degrades over time needing to be replaced often, and if it isn’t applied smoothly, germs and bacteria will thrive in the open spaces, like in the picture. InstaTrim is mold and mildew resistant, creates the perfect seal between the urinal and the wall, and is super easy to install. The process of using our peel and stick InstaTrim is very simple, but you do have to remove all the old silicone caulk, and any built up residue from cleaning products that contain any wax or oils. To do this, cut off as much of the old silicone as possible with a razor blade and then clean the surface with acetone and a scrubbing pad or soft bristle brush. Once remove and properly cleaned, apply your InstaTrim with the ends terminating at the bottom where you can’t see the seam. Add a drop of permanent glue to the seam to ensure it stays in place for many years. There you go, great looking trim that will keep the nasty stuff from collecting and growing more nasty stuff, and you’re also enhancing the public’s perception of your restaurant. Keep a few kits of InstaTrim in the supply closet, literally anyone can apply our self-adhesive caulking and it always looks perfect and professional.

The day is finally here, and you are about to list your house for sale in a marketplace that is more challenging than it was only 3 months ago. What can you do to “standout” from the competition? Review these tips and see how your home rates: Update your flooring? If you have any 20-year-old Berber it is time to get rid of it and update. Consider hard surface flooring such as LVT (laminated vinyl tile), wood, tile, etc. Consumers today are more aware of your 20 year old carpeting full of two generations of dog hair and other mysteries.  Keep in mind if you switch to hard surface flooring you will need to purchase area rugs to” soften” the environment and reduce echoing in the house. Fresh wall paint? A fresh coat of paint makes every home feel clean. If you haven’t painted in a while, there is no doubt smudges, fingerprints and maybe even some chips in your walls. For a small amount of money, you can quickly update the look and feel of your home. Is your kitchen in the 21st century? Tile countertops, wood and old laminate will scream “remodel” and if you are not marketing your house for that type of buyer you will struggle with offers. The 2nd most important update can be cabinets. If you have the budget, replace them with a style and color for today. If you’re on a tight budget, consider painting your cabinets.  One of the hottest colors today is a “navy blue” which can change the look of a kitchen dramatically. If you do not have the time for updates, you can also stage your kitchen. Here are some tips for staging your kitchen to attract buyer quickly.  What about light fixtures? Is your home full of “polished brass” light fixtures?  If you’re on a very tight budget these can be easy to paint yourself even attached to walls and ceilings!  Make sure to turn off the power first as you may be having fingers very close to bulb sockets, and you do not want a surprise 6 feet up a ladder! These are the easy “high impact” changes that you can make in your home but some come with a hefty price tag and will take a significant amount of time to complete so keep that in mind when you are trying to determine when to list your house. What can you do to increase the eye appeal of your home?  Don’t forget the details. Too many of us have become completely blind to numerous gaps and cracks in our homes that certainly could give a potential buyer reason for concern. Look at the following areas to determine if you have any unsightly gaps and cracks. Countertops – are there any unsightly gaps between your backsplash and wall. Oddly enough, this gap can really disturb a potential buyer as some will envision years of food and dirt falling into that gap and attracting bugs. Flooring – do you have small gaps where your flooring meets the wall? Chances are you installed the flooring your self and maybe you have a few areas where the flooring did not quite meet the wall.  These gaps scream out to the consumer as a poor-quality install and may cause them to question other details in the house. Plumbing fixtures – We have all seen it, that gloppy, ugly caulking job that can totally destroy the appeal of a nice bathroom. Remove it and replace is with a professional looking product to add that final detail to bring it all together.   Most of these issues are a result of poor caulking and/or inability to re-caulk yourself. InstaTrim is the perfect product to fix these areas yourself and the results are professional looking and long lasting. With our six popular colors and new corner and end trim caps you can solve these problems quickly with very little money and be proud of adding the final touches to your home.

I recently had a very interesting experience out in the fields of Fergus Falls, MN on a guided hunting trip. Our guide, David Goos, was an amazing person with all the best qualities being honest, friendly, very hard working and much more. I came to find out that he has launched a hunting apparel line of clothes called www.goosbrand.com that was started by David and his Wife in 2019. Right away this caught my attention as I have many fond memories of the early period of starting out our InstaTrim company many years ago. I had many people help me out back in the beginning and I’m aware our how important these helpers can be.  It’s all about connections and of course having a product that is sellable to the consumer. This requires many pieces coming together to be successful from having a catchy logo and brand to providing a high quality product attractive enough to get someone to purchase it. David has these and I was impressed. Starting out with his logo, it is attractive and very simple. I saw the “goose head” right away and understood what it meant. Going to his website, it was attractive and very easy to navigate. Too many new entrepreneurs overthink these details and can create a mess. It’s easy to understand why, we want the world to see all of our hard work and how smart we are.  The consumer does not usually care to much about these details and just want a simple buying experience without wasting time wandering through a bunch of fluff.  First thing on his homepage simply says “True Waterfowl Obsession”. This says it all. Scrolling down I saw numerous pieces of apparel that I would wear and I’m not much of a bird hunter.  In addition, the baby shirts are super adorable. David, who is 26, is extremely passionate about what he does as a guide for hunters and also is one of the countries champion bird callers (yes, that is a thing and apparently a big deal). He has won the Minnesota State Goose Calling contest and the Rogers National Goose calling contest.  His passion is very evident in his website and clothing line. If you’re into bird hunting, David is the guy you want and can be found at www.pitproperties.com . Remember, keep it simple, attractive and most of all, sell something the public wants or will see and feel like they need. We wish David and his Team a lot of success and more importantly enjoy the ride, it goes very fast! Yep, that’s me the InstaTrim guy  

InstaTrim originated from this question. What’s in a crack? Well, many things you may not be aware of and some potentially dangerous. Our homes and businesses have cracks everywhere between walls, floors, countertops where they meet the walls, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks all have crack issues that most folks find ugly and unclean. There is good reason for not leaving these cracks alone. The obvious one is that they tend to look bad and unsightly for sure. The other reason is that they do contain a lot of things we don’t want to hang around our house. A few of the more common items are bacteria, dust mites, skin cells, hair, dead bugs, soil particles, pollen, and different types of molds and mildew. Certainly, the more insidious cracks are along our floors and around plumbing fixtures in our bathrooms. The all-time winner in this category is the crack at the base of a toilet.  We can all imagine what has seeped down into this crack and tends to smell and fester if not cleaned regularly with a strong cleanser. This is where InstaTrim can be a huge benefit and keep some of these nasty things from hanging around these areas while providing you with a much easier surface to clean. Leaving these areas sanitary and looking better than ever. InstaTrim has three components for sealing any corner. The first one is our butyl adhesive that provides a tight seal to the application surface and since our adhesive stays soft it will move with the surfaces if they expand and/or contract.  The second important part of our flexible molding is the wedge shape which fits perfectly into a corner, leaving now where for insidious things to lurk. The third component is our Patented “wings” that only InstaTrim has.  Our wings will flex and conform to the application surface and provide an additional layer, sealing your InstaTrim to the application surface. Our wings conform, along with the adhesive, to irregularities along the floor and walls to create a permanent sealing system that keeps all the “nasties” from getting in these cracks. You could say, InstaTrim helps protect your family and pets. To better help you as the consumer we have launched our new caulk and trim project kits that come complete with a roll of InstaTrim, our Applicator Tool, and for the ¾ inch wide trim, Corner and End Caps are also included, to make installation as easy as possible. InstaTrim is manufactured in Minnesota with all USA-sourced ingredients. We are a family-owned company, and our priority is always the customer.  Don’t hesitate to give us a shout with any questions!

What would you do if your life’s work - potentially everything, the whole kit and kaboodle was being threatened? InstaTrim has recently been under attack by copycat products from China. 

Removing a makeshift awning above a backyard deck posed more problems for one homeowner than the awning posed in the first place. Learn how our customer used InstaTrim for a simple decking repair project.

When your office is filled with cubicles, interior offices with no windows, and conference rooms with no windows, it can be downright depressing. Breathe life into the space with an office remodel! Offices can be light, bright, and filled with beauty. Glass walls are the easiest way to allow light to filter through the entire office. However, many people shy away from installing glass partitions and walls because of privacy concerns, as well as how ratty and discolored the seams between the glass and a solid wall can get. Face it, when you spend tons of money and time redesigning your office spaces, you want it to look fresh and clean for many years. Caulking cracks, becomes discolored, and peels off in just a couple of years, resulting in having to pay someone to replace all of it far too often. We’ve got some helpful tips and solutions to transform your office space. Clean Finish for Glass Partitions So many offices are creating open work spaces. However, not every employee is into this kind of work environment. They prefer offices and cubicles for privacy, and to make it easier to focus on the tasks at-hand. How can businesses bring a nice hybrid redesign? Bringing a little more glass! How is Glass Able to Provide Privacy & the Illusion of Open Spaces? It’s true. Glass is see-through. Simple solution for the privacy issue? Frosted glass, as well as half walls that provide adequate sunlight but still provide employees with much-needed privacy. Interior offices, as well as conference rooms, can have frosted glass walls. Or, shades that can be dropped down to create privacy when needed, but when not down, can offer that “open space” feel of an open office floor plan. Cubicles can be constructed with solid bottoms, and glass tops. When workers are sitting or standing at their desks, they still have walls for privacy and to help them block out distractions. However, light pours through and people can see one another, giving that open space feel. Ugly Seams Glass-to-glass seams are usually done with brackets and nothing is used along the corner seams. However, when walls and glass meet, silicone or caulk is used along the seam. The problem? Those materials don’t hold up for long. They all start to crack, peel, and change colors. All that time and money spent to create beautiful spaces for your employees and you end up only focusing on how awful the seams look. Just makes your head hurt. The solution? InstaTrim! It’s not just for kitchens and bathrooms, and other rooms of a house. It’s the universal solution for businesses, too. Office Partitions Don’t Have to be Ugly Office partitions don’t have to be ugly. You’ve got fresh coats of paint on your office walls, along with new flooring, why muck that up with ugly generic partitions because you’re afraid to give glass a chance? Bring light, bright spaces and beautiful universal trim to your next office remodel. InstaTrim comes in a variety of colors, and even better, it can be painted if you want to match the color of your painted walls to a T. Never Settle When Remodeling Your Office Cover all your office cracks with InstaTrim, so you never have to settle for less with your office remodel. If you’re not sure what color to go with, you’re in luck. We now have a sample kit to check out each of our colors, and if none of them work, remember they can be painted. When clients walk through your office, let them know just how dedicated you are to paying attention to the details!

Greg and Betsy Amundson, the couple behind InstaTrim, don’t just work together but also serve together with a non-profit organization dear to their hearts. They’re proud to be able to donate not just their time, but also their universal trim solution to Operation Honor - Veteran Proud. As a Universal Solution, InstaTrim provides the perfect seal for the burial flag cases Operation Honor has Veterans crafting for Arlington National Cemetery, as well as on their official website. Veteran-Crafted Burial Flag Cases Paragraph Operation Honor was created to enhance the lives of US Veterans, along with their families by providing United States Veterans the chance to build all the products available for purchase on their website. Their signature product is the veteran-crafted burial flag cases. Burial flag cases are available for anyone to purchase, and the organization is proud to be the exclusive provider to Arlington National Cemetery. It’s the perfect item to honor, remember and show our military veterans respect. As orders come through, Operation Honor assigns a Veteran to build a hand-made one-of-a-kind flag case. Each one has a label on it that’s personally signed by the Veteran who hand-crafted the burial flag case. Supporting United States Veterans Paragraph InstaTrim’s owners find great joy and pride supporting United States Veterans with a flexible trim that provides the perfect seal for the burial flag cases built by veterans. Memorializing these great men and women is one of the best ways to remember just how much has been sacrificed for our rights and privileges. InstaTrim is Truly a Universal Trim Solution We aren’t kidding when we say our flexible trim is the universal trim solution! It’s perfect for not just home improvements and finishing touches, but it’s also perfect for unique projects in an RV, boat, business and of course, when crafting a case to preserve one of the most important items a veteran’s family possesses after the loss of their loved one.

It’s often said that bathrooms and kitchens sell a house. They’re the two rooms you should spend the most time and money on, so that when you put your house on the market, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. However, if you’ve been house hunting and walked into a house with a staircase, you know the value of spending a bit of time updating the look of your stairs. There’s nothing worse than an outdated stairway greeting you when you walk through the front door, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and sours the entire experience. If you’re not selling your house, that’s fine. Instead think about how amazing it will feel entering your home each day after updating your stairway treads. If you entertain often, guests will appreciate a beautifully updated stairway! What are stair treads? Your staircase or stairway has different parts to it. Each part has to work together to create a visually appealing experience for your eyes. It all starts with a stringer. The stringer supports each side of a staircase, and it’s what the flat treads and risers attach to in order to form them. Handrails and balusters are also added to staircases to make them functional and safe. What are risers and treads? You can have a set of stairs with closed tread risers where you can’t see through the back of the staircase. Or, for a more modern look, a staircase can be built without risers between the treads. The space is there, but nothing is placed in the open space between the treads. The treads are the flat horizontal part of the stairs that people step on to climb up or go down a stairway. Without them, you really can’t have a functioning set of steps! How Can You Refresh Your Stairs? How can you update your staircase for a big “wow” factor, without killing your home improvement budget? Especially if you’re doing updates to put it on the market! Remove Carpeting If you have closed tread risers with carpet on them, one of the best ways to freshen them up is to remove the carpet. It will take a bit of sweat equity, for sure, but the stunning result will be worth it. Just make sure you have a solid plan for what you want to do AFTER the carpet is removed. Stain or Paint Treads If you had carpet, and it’s been removed, now’s the time to choose whether you want to stain or paint the stair treads. A popular trend these days is to stain the treads, but instead of staining the risers people paint them. Then they get creative with the balusters and handrails. Install Flexible Trim Finishing off your stairs can sometimes be a challenge. Wood trim can be expensive, especially in our current economy. It’s also messy to install between the cutting, staining, and painting - it’s a chore to cover the crack between the stairs and the wall. Or, if your treads hang over the stringer, finishing the stair edge with a bit of flexible trim is much easier with flexible trim like InstaTrim. Variety of Universal Trim Solution Colors Whether you paint your treads, or stain them, there’s a variety of colors of universal trim solution. However, if you’re not sure which color would be the best option, we’re excited to provide a sample kit to check out each InstaTrim color option. We want our customers to have access to the perfect tools to improve their homes and the perfect tool should always be the right color for your project!

You’ve made the decision to move. However, you don’t rent a house, you actually own a house and now you have to enter the world of real estate. Luckily, there are professionals to list the house and do all that annoying legal stuff. All you have to focus on is fixing annoying gaps and cracks before listing your home. Don’t freak out, though. It isn’t as overwhelming as you might think it is to do a quick home refresh. We promise to make it easy to Cover Your Crack™. Quick Home Refresh Some of the simplest ways to update your home on a budget, which also means it is probably not going to take a long time to accomplish: Paint walls with some neutral colors that won’t scare potential buyers Throw down a few area rugs to freshen up your living and dining rooms Make all of your beds with new sheets and some cute throw pillows Add finishing touches to each room with trim, pretty potted plants, and candles that smell like baked goods (home buyer’s love the smell of cookies and pies) Easy Fixes to Prep Your Home Easy fixes to prep your home are to fill in all the awful gaps and cracks around your home when it’s a little older. Old houses settle and gaps and cracks appear, like evil magic. In all seriousness, more often than not, older houses have numerous cracks or gaps that look ugly. The ugliness can be where countertops meet a wall, or maybe along some cabinets. Even though it isn’t pleasant to think about, let’s think about the base of your toilets. It’s a nasty area and when it looks dirty, gross, and cracked, it’ll turn off even the most enthusiastic home buyers. And what about where your tile or wood floors and walls meet? Those edges are never perfect and a room needs a little help looking clean and finished. A clean, straight edge never draws attention to minor imperfections throughout a house. And that’s an important part of selling a house. Not drawing attention to the small flaws so that people can focus on the bigger picture: an awesome house! What’s the easiest way to fix these issues and prep your home for the slew of buyers ready to provide you with offers for your home? InstaTrim. Yes. It really is as simple as digging out nasty, cracked silicone throughout the rooms of your home and replacing it with InstaTrim. It truly is as easy as rolling out, cutting and installing InstaTrim into the gaps and cracks throughout your house to polish off each room. Universal Trim Solution to Help Flip Your Home Trimming a room doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t always need hammers, nails and a saw. Sometimes you just need a great universal trim solution available in a variety of colors, and an applicator tool, too. Prep your home quickly and get your house on the market so you can move on to your next adventure!

Freshening up your home’s decor shouldn’t make you feel guilty about producing garbage and contributing to pollution. All we want is a pretty place to spend time that provides safety and comfort. It’s not much different for construction companies building houses, commercial buildings, and restaurants. I think we can all agree our world needs a lot less waste! Garbage building up means more pollution and we believe it’s important to do our part in reducing pollution and garbage. Reducing Garbage Homeowners and construction companies have used tubes of caulk for years, because it’s been the standard since, basically, forever. Unfortunately this causes tons of waste in our landfills. Let’s break down a couple of the ways choosing InstaTrim can reduce garbage at our garbage dumps. InstaTrim can be stored away if you don’t use all of it. This means less tubes of caulk being thrown out by homeowners. More often than not we don’t need an entire tube of caulk for a job in our house. You can’t save the tube. Even if you save the tube, the caulk dries out and it has to be thrown away at a later time. There’s no way around it. Our flexible trim doesn’t dry out. Once it’s installed, it won’t dry out, crack and need replacing every few years. No need to remove it and throw it in the garbage. All of our packaging is recyclable, too. When a construction company chooses the universal trim solution instead of caulk when building any new structure, it will be years before anything has to be replaced. They’ll be saving our landfills of tons of disgusting, chemical-filled caulk. Which brings us to how InstaTrim is helping reduce pollution. Reducing Pollution Did you know caulk is full of harmful substances? Hydrocarbons like acrylic, acrylic-latex, neoprene, polysulfide, polyurethanes, silicone, and vulcanized butyl rubber. No one wants these pollutants in our landfills, or our homes, or places of business. Luckily, InstaTrim doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, nor does it have noxious fumes that irritate your nose, eyes, and throat. Instead, the universal solution meets ASTM 4236 for non-toxicity. Since InstaTrim lasts for far longer than caulk, it doesn’t need to be thrown away as often - but if it does end up in the garbage, it won’t leach toxins into the air or earth. You can feel good about using it in your house, or on your construction site. Feel Good About Using InstaTrim for Reducing Garbage & Pollution Homeowners and those on construction sites around the world can make one small (but brilliant) change when trimming all types of houses, and trimming commercial buildings - skipping caulk and choosing InstaTrim. We’re excited to be the small and brilliant change in the battle to reduce garbage and pollution all across the U.S.A. and Europe.

Many customers realized trimming sinks in the kitchens and bathrooms is one of the most stressful aspects of owning a home. Each one that has found us online wanted an easier way to improve the look and functionality of their bathrooms and kitchens. We couldn’t be happier knowing we’re helping decrease stress levels around the world! We’re also excited that business owners are using our universal solution for trimming kitchen and bathroom sinks in their offices, restaurants, and more. It’s so easy to install that everyone is jumping for joy once they try it. So, how do you install InstaTrim in your kitchens and bathrooms? We’re so glad you asked! Why Do We a Trim Kitchen Sink Paragraph Kitchens. It’s one of the most frequented rooms of a home. The last thing you want to see is crusty old cracked seals around a sink. A sink you’ll be using to wash your dishes. A sink that’s sunk into your countertop. A sink that has to be not just attractive, but most importantly, hygienic. Cracked seals around a home’s or business’s sink are the breeding ground for bacteria. It’s where itty bitty bugs, food crumbs, chicken slime, and dirt collect and create health problems. However, not many people have the time to replace cracked silicone-based caulk as often as is necessary to keep the area clean and sanitary. We mean to do it, but it just keeps getting worse and creates an unhealthy kitchen environment. Even if it isn’t cracking and breaking off, it’s probably growing mold. Just nasty. There’s help, though. Stay with us to learn more. The Importance Behind Why We Trim Bathroom Sinks One of the most important parts of a bathroom? Making sure any seal that fills a crack or gap will resist water and grime. It’s imperative that the seal is tight, looks good, repels moisture and will not grow bacteria, mold and mildew. We all know that bacteria is nasty stuff and can actually cause health problems if left to prosper. Regardless of where the bathroom is, your home or business, the bathroom sinks need to look beautiful and they need to provide a safe place to wash your hands and face. Women take their rings off to wash their hands, and the last place you want them putting those rings is on a disgusting bathroom sink ledge sporting mold and bacteria. Kids: we love them, but when they see anything cracking, they’re going to pick at it and pull at it and make it worse. They’re curious and want to find out “if I pull this gross piece of dried out caulk - what’s under it, how long of a piece can I pull off before it snaps”. It’s what kids do. So, let’s see if we can avoid all these cringe-worthy situations by trimming sinks with InstaTrim. How Do You Prep & Install Our Home & Business Universal Solution First, you’ll have to remove all that gross, cracked, and worn out caulk. Scrape it out, pull it out, and make sure you get all traces of residue the silicone leaves behind by cleaning with acetone. It will take a bit of effort, especially when you get to the silicone residue. It will often require a silicone sealant remover, or acetone, along with a good scrubbing pad or soft brush. If you aren’t into chemical removers, you can grab white vinegar or isopropyl alcohol. Just be prepared to let that sit on the residue until the residue softens. Then grab that scrubbing brush or pad and go to town. Remind yourself you only have to do this ONCE, and then you’re done. It’s worth the important and necessary prep work, so InstaTrim creates a tight and lasting seal. After all traces of silicone-based caulking are gone, get your flexible trim out of the box. Make sure you have the applicator tool, too. It will make it even easier to apply the correct amount of pressure during installation. Once you’ve got everything prepped and ready to go, applying InstaTrim is easy. Just peel back the release liner, position your trim, and slowly, firmly and steadily press InstaTrim into place. Enjoy it for years and years and years. You won’t have to replace it unless you decide to redecorate and want a new color (which might not matter, as you can paint our flexible trim). Prep. Peel. Position. Press. Focusing on the four “Ps” of InstaTrim each time you find a spot in your home or business that could benefit from this universal trim solution will provide you with beautiful results that will last for years to come. And always reach out to us if you have any questions, or run into hiccups along the way.