Proper method of patching/painting around recessed lights?
#1
04-24-12, 12:54 PM
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Proper method of patching/painting around recessed lights?
we've added recessed led lighting around the house and I'm trying to figure out if our contractor patched to procedure. we have a plaster ceiling therefore the cut was not smooth and on some there were very large jagged gaps around the lights.
were they supposed to have removed the lights before patching and painting? or is it okay to patch and paint while the light is intact in the ceiling? also they calked silicone around the lights is that necessary, aren't the clips enough?
this general contractor was very lazy in details on other parts of the house so I'm just now investigating to see what else he's messed up on. thanks in advance!
#2
04-24-12, 01:10 PM
Welcome to the forums!
A pic or two might be helpful - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
Often the fixture needs to be in place in order to make the repairs. Did he do a good job of repairing the plaster? did he keep the fixtures clean? do the repairs show?
Sometimes a bead of caulk is needed to make the job look good but you don't want silicone caulking anywhere you would expect to apply paint.
A pic or two might be helpful - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
Often the fixture needs to be in place in order to make the repairs. Did he do a good job of repairing the plaster? did he keep the fixtures clean? do the repairs show?
Sometimes a bead of caulk is needed to make the job look good but you don't want silicone caulking anywhere you would expect to apply paint.
#3
04-24-12, 02:26 PM
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Thanks.. I'll try to upload the pics tonight however I wasn't able to take the pictures before the patch.
The job looks clean, they used a glossy paint around instead of a flat so it's very visible but other than that it seems good. I know for certain they used silicone around.
You mention it's sometimes necessary to patch with the lighting in place, however I'm thinking that some of that patch and paint got around the edges of the light then they calked around... which is why I thought the procedure was to remove the light then patch.
#4
04-24-12, 03:12 PM
You should be able to patch and paint around the light without getting any on it...... or at least be able to wipe it off before it dries.
Why would they use a gloss paint that doesn't match the rest of the ceiling?
I can understand them not wanting to paint the entire ceiling but I'm sure you paid them for a job that's supposed to look decent. Ceilings [especially if the paint is old] don't touch up all that well but even so the touch up paint shouldn't jump out at you.
I'd complain about the use of silicone caulk. You or whoever repaints the ceiling will have a difficult time covering the silicone with paint.
Why would they use a gloss paint that doesn't match the rest of the ceiling?
I can understand them not wanting to paint the entire ceiling but I'm sure you paid them for a job that's supposed to look decent. Ceilings [especially if the paint is old] don't touch up all that well but even so the touch up paint shouldn't jump out at you.I'd complain about the use of silicone caulk. You or whoever repaints the ceiling will have a difficult time covering the silicone with paint.
#5
04-24-12, 09:31 PM
Plaster must stop against something. You can't just stop plastering in mid air. So the light can needed to be there. Perhaps the can was not flush with the ceiling so they had to leave the light in so there was something to stop against. While it is almost always easier to cover than clean, plaster usually cleans off of plastic and steel quite easily. Aluminum is a different story for the plaster or at least the lime in the finish etches the aluminum quickly.
The pictures will be helpful.
The pictures will be helpful.
