Prepping Drywall Cracks when previously caulked

I've read through quite a few posts about taping and finishing drywall corners, but my question is about prep.

The home I live in is 20+ years old and I started noticing a lot of cracks in the corner of one of the bedrooms in the first year. I took a carpenters knife cut out a small section from the most prominent corners and determined the previous owners/contractors caulked the corners instead of taping and finishing them.

I'd like to do it correctly this time, but am unsure the steps to take to prep the corners prior to taping and finishing them since they have been caulked, then painted over.l

You help is greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forums. Have to remove the caulk and then paper tape gets embedded in the first layer of joint compound with another couple coats over top of that to finish it. Then prime and paint.

 

Since the caulk has cracked, is there an efficient way to remove it or just a razor blade and some sand paper?

 

Caulk removal is unpleasant, IMO. Razor blade, sure. Sandpaper, maybe not - not sure it would accomplish anything as I think it would just get gummed up.

 

If you cut on each side of the caulk you should be able to peel it up. How wide of a bead dead they lay?