Recently installed white painted 4″ crown in a pre-painted family room. The customer would like to have the caulk on both the top and bottom to eliminate any and all gaps. On the top, it’s no problem because the crown and the ceiling are both white – the caulk blends right in.
But on the bottom, the walls are a dark tan. When I apply the caulk, I’m having a difficult time keeping too much of the caulk off of the tan paint and also keeping a straight line. Does anyone have any tricks on handling this situation?
thank
Joe
Replies
sometimes you can mask off the walls. or else re-paint them
I'm doing everything to avoid repainting. Blue tape will work?
sure, i'd use some type of painters tape, but i'd make sure the caulk was fully cured before i removed the tape. also , if you cut the tip of your caulk too big you'll have nothing but problems. use as little as possible, and angle your tip right into the joint. you might even get away without having to mask.
Try a fine bead of paintable clear ALEX. It goes on white and turns clear. The clear caulk "picks up the color of the wall" and minimizes gaps. If that is not enough for the customer, it can be painted in either wall or crown color.
Tape the wall right up to the bottom of the crown, a bead of white latex caulk lightly smoothed with a half wet sponge sanding block, take the tape off at the right time and you shouldn't have to do any touch-up. Depends on the size of the gap you may have to do it more than once.
Depending how meticulous the client is, some original touch-up paint just in case.
Any low-tack tape will works.
I spend a couple bucks more for "Polyseamseal" brand caulk- it tools off much nicer.
greg
What TomC says
Try laying a thin bead of Alex or equivalent, tool it with your finger smooth, and wipe it down a few times with a damp sponge. I've had good luck with it in the past.
I prefer to take the tape off when the caulk is still wet for 2 reasons:
1. if any caulk snuck undernieth the tape you will find it while still wet and be able to clean it, and..
2. If you pull the tape off afterward, there will be a small and ugly line where the caulk met the tape which will be dried in place.
If you take the tape off while the caulk is still wet simply run a damp finger back over once tape is removed to make a smooth transition from crown to wall..
Personally i'd say **** the tape, faster to just use as little as possible (as mentioned before) and any accidents you will be prepared for with a damp cloth.
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--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
caulk then paint.
fact of life and fact of remodeling.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Awesome advice, thanks all.
Joe
If the crown still needs to be painted, I use a caulk that closely matches the wall color. Just make sure not to leave a lot on the wall, because the sheen will probably be different.
For a tan wall, I'd use an almond or cedar colored caulk.
Finished the touch-up work this morning. I ended up using the brown painters tape, about 6' at a time. This is as far as I can reach when on the ladder. I went right up to the crown with the tape and applied the caulk. Smoothed it with my finger and then pulled the tape off. Made a perfect line with very little mess. Finished a 12'x12' room in about 30-40 minutes (it took most of my time to move the furniture around).
Joe