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Painting

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How-To

Painting Trim the Right Way, Ep. 4: Caulk, Brush Work, and the Finish Coat

Once sanding is complete, preparing the primer is the next step to getting a smooth surface.

All Videos in This Series:

1. Introduction

2. Cleaning, Priming, and Filling Holes

3. Secrets of Sanding

4. Caulk, Brush Work, and the Finish Coat

With two coats of primer applied, the next step is to fill cracks and seams with caulk. Leahy demonstrates his technique for laying out neat concise lines of caulk that won’t crack in the future. He wraps up the series with an in-depth look at his brush technique and how he achieves a flawless finish coat of paint.

 

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Previous: Painting Trim the Right Way, Ep. 3: Secrets of Sanding Next: Cut In Stain at the Ceiling

Guide

Painting

Chapter

Painting Walls, Ceilings, and Trim

View Comments

  1. user-6053094 | Jun 09, 2016 12:32pm | #1

    I read (and re-read) this article, used the recommended products, and did every step. This is precise work but the results were perfect! If you are going to do something, do it correctly and this is a go to guide.

  2. User avater
    LyndaRandle | Dec 15, 2017 09:12am | #2

    We went through each of the recommended procedures, and everything looked perfect. However, when we fired up the boiler come autumn, the radiators dried everything out quickly and the caulking cracked. The new interior baseboard, window and door trim had shrunk, naturally, including the newly installed ship lap. Any suggestions for truly expandable caulking for our northern conditions? With hot water radiators, keeping up with humidity is a real challenge. Thank you for suggestions, Cheers from niagara

  3. Cornelius99 | Aug 12, 2019 04:17pm | #3

    This guy's caulking method (and mine until very recently) is possibly going to lead to cracking.
    Read Andy Engel's eye-opening article on caulk joints in Issue 261 of FHB (Aug '16).

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Painting

Painting

Everything you need to know to get the perfect finish, from choosing the right paint to applying the final coat

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Intro to Painting
  • Painting Basics
  • Painting Inspiration
Tools & Materials
  • Paint
  • Brushes and Rollers
  • Caulks and Sealants
  • Spray Equipment
  • Prep and Cleanup
Prep Work
  • Getting Ready For Painting and Finishing
Painting Walls, Ceilings, and Trim
  • Painting Interior Surfaces
Wallpaper
  • How to Prep and Install Wallpaper
  • Removing Wallpaper
  • Wallcovering Choices
Windows and Doors
  • Painting Windows and Doors
  • Video Series: Finishing an Exterior Door
Spray Painting Interiors
  • How To Spray Walls, Trim, Cabinets, and More
Exterior Painting
  • Exterior Paint Prep
  • Exterior Painting Techniques

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