To paint caulking
#1
10-04-14, 06:07 PM
To paint caulking
A window guy replaced the caulking to some of my windows and he applied the same caulking to the gaps between the pattern concrete and the side of the house. The caulking is white and he said I could paint it after 2 weeks.
I did some research and exterior caulk is usually silicone and it cannot be painted. I called the guy and again, he said there is no problem to paint it.
Is there any way to find out if it is silicone or latex caulking? Should I use oil based or water based paint?
Also, I have some latex primer at home (Benjamin Moore Fresh Start All Purpose). Should I apply it first before the paint?
I did some research and exterior caulk is usually silicone and it cannot be painted. I called the guy and again, he said there is no problem to paint it.
Is there any way to find out if it is silicone or latex caulking? Should I use oil based or water based paint?
Also, I have some latex primer at home (Benjamin Moore Fresh Start All Purpose). Should I apply it first before the paint?
#2
10-04-14, 06:15 PM
Group Moderator
If its silicone, the only primer you can use on it is a pigmentef shellac primer. Then paint it.
#4
10-05-14, 04:12 AM
Not sure where he got the 2 week wait 
latex caulks [including siliconized acrylic] can always be painted within 24 hrs, butyl caulks can take a little longer. If it is a pure silicone caulk it doesn't matter how long you wait - the paint will crawl when it's applied. As X said, the only work around is to apply 1-2 coats of a pigmented shellac like Zinnser's BIN. It adheres better and dries faster than any other primer minimizing the crawling effect. It can be top coated with latex or oil base.
Generally 'dried' silicone caulk will have a bit of a sheen where latex caulk will not.
latex caulks [including siliconized acrylic] can always be painted within 24 hrs, butyl caulks can take a little longer. If it is a pure silicone caulk it doesn't matter how long you wait - the paint will crawl when it's applied. As X said, the only work around is to apply 1-2 coats of a pigmented shellac like Zinnser's BIN. It adheres better and dries faster than any other primer minimizing the crawling effect. It can be top coated with latex or oil base.Generally 'dried' silicone caulk will have a bit of a sheen where latex caulk will not.
#5
10-05-14, 07:00 AM
If it is siliconized acrylic latex caulk, I think I should use latex paint then, right?
Also, I read that primer is not required when painting caulking.
Also, I read that primer is not required when painting caulking.
#6
10-05-14, 07:03 AM
Group Moderator
Most likely the window guy used a siliconized acrylic latex caulk which IS paintable.
#8
10-05-14, 09:38 AM
I will have to buy new paint job for this. What do you prefer? Oil or latex?
I am thinking 2 layers. Is there anything I can treat the caulking before paint? Maybe rubbing alcohol?
I am thinking 2 layers. Is there anything I can treat the caulking before paint? Maybe rubbing alcohol?
#9
10-05-14, 09:41 AM
What type of paint is on the surrounding wood? http://www.doityourself.com/forum/pa...latex-oil.html I would choose paint based on what the rest of the house trim is painted with.
The caulking shouldn't need any treatment. It might be a good idea to clean it if it's extra dirty.
The caulking shouldn't need any treatment. It might be a good idea to clean it if it's extra dirty.
#10
10-05-14, 10:13 AM
One side is pattern concrete (kinda red) and the other side is concrete purging which was painted by the previous owner to match the pattern concrete. Not sure if it was oil and latex.
I did some reading and someone suggested to use rubbing alcohol to treat the caulking. This helps the paint to stick to the caulking and of course, for cleaning purpose.
I did some reading and someone suggested to use rubbing alcohol to treat the caulking. This helps the paint to stick to the caulking and of course, for cleaning purpose.
#12
10-05-14, 12:10 PM
If there is no need to treat the caulking, I will just use a moist cloth to clean the caulking before the painting.
Too bad I did not take a look of the caulking he used. I did see the name Sikasil and it was not in a conventional hard tube. The caulking comes with a long soft housing, much like a long sausage.
Too bad I did not take a look of the caulking he used. I did see the name Sikasil and it was not in a conventional hard tube. The caulking comes with a long soft housing, much like a long sausage.
#13
10-05-14, 12:25 PM
Group Moderator
Most sikaseal would be a polyurethane, which would explain the 2 week waiting period. Making sure its clean is a good plan.
