I need some help caulking trim on plaster-on-brick walls. One room of our 105 year old house has some spots of uneven plaster, and the trim (window and baseboard) sits a ways away from the wall at points. We stripped the paint from the wood work and the caulk came out too. I have a hard enough time with even joints, but the variability here has me stumped. I’m guessing the answer (besides new plaster) is to pack backer rod in and then caulk, but should I do the narrow part first, and then widen the hole in the tip, or what?
Also, how the heck do I fold the cleaning rag so that I don’t get caulk on my hands, face, feet, etc? I’m sure there is a folding pattern, but I can’t figure it out!
Thank!
Bryan
Replies
If you have a lot of trim to caulk, it might be worth it to use two caulk guns- one with a small opening and one with a big one. Use whatever is appropriate for the space to fill.
As far as cleaning rags go, I don't use one ( no I'm not that good ). I prefer keeping a sponge and a bucket of water handy to clean up as I go. Change the water on a regular basis and your caulking should go ( on )smoothly.
I'll second Shep's recommendations. The water bucket works alot better than your pants. Just ask my wife. :-)
Blue tape on the left and right sides of the caulk joint....
Have a bucket of clean water and some clean rags handy...
Put backer rod in the really large gaps....
Set it for about 1/4 to 3/8" thick beads...
Cut the tube nozzel at a comfortable size for yourself...
Caulk the whole thing...
Lat down multiple beads to bridge the larger gaps if neccessary...
Wet your hands and a rag...
Tool the joint with your wet fingers...
Practice and pay attention to what yur doing... You'll catch on..
Wipe excess caulk onto the wet rag...
When the rag becomes loaded wash it out in the bucket of water...
Peel the tape away at an angle to yur work...
If you have a heavy edge to the bead after pulling the tape ya got too much caulk...
You still can refeather it....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Edited 5/31/2004 9:01 pm ET by IMERC