Painting moulding gaps - use caulk? spackle?

Question

just redid the baseboard and door moulding in my house - have some gaps at corners that the paint won't fill - do you use spackle? caulk?

Answer 1

..Use non-silicone caulk. Use quality acrylic. Cut a small tapered slice off end of tube exposing a hole approximate to size of gap to be filled. Run a long bead along entire baseboard or trim ( wall to trim) and vertical joins as in corners. Using a damp rag ( old t-shirt good). wipe joints. Experts use finger & keep a small bucket of warm water to clean hands & rag. There is a small learning curve. Start in inconspicuous area first. NEVER spackle whick will likely dry hard require sanding.Quality caulk allows for some movement & avoids cracking which would happen with spackle.

Answer 2

Spackle is intended for filling small holes in plaster walls and other hard surfaces. Unless you've had a lot of experience using it, it's generally going to have to be sanded too. Caulk is flexible and shrinks very little -unless you've filled a really big and deep hole with it. Like has already been said, use latex caulk and not silicone. Latex caulk is also called "painter's caulk." You can paint over it with either water-based or oil-based paint, after it's dried. Paint on silicone caulk will peel almost immediately. Like has been said, to give caulk a professional finish, wet your finger and smoothe it off, wiping off a bit of excess as you do. Then wipe the surrounding area with a clean, damp rag and leave it to set up (generally overnight) before final painting. Done right, the gaps will be almost imperceptible.

Answer 3

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RE:
Painting moulding gaps - use caulk? spackle?
just redid the baseboard and door moulding in my house - have some gaps at corners that the paint won't fill - do you use spackle? caulk?

Answer 4

Don't use spackle, it will inevitably crack.

Make sure to use a PAINTABLE latex or acrylic caulk. If you don't use one that is paintable, you'll never get paint to stick to the caulk. After you apply a bead to the area, wipe it with a wet rag and smooth it out. Then let it dry before painting.

Answer 5

Baseboard Caulk

Answer 6

I use Caulk along the junction between the wall and the moulding, and I use Oil-based Painters putty to fill nail holes and any largish gaps. with either of these products it is important to remember that you cannot sand them, it just doesn't work. So, to smooth out the caulk, use a wet rag or a wet finger and wipe along the seam to get a smooth bead. With painters putty I apply it to any areas where it is needed, then while it is still wet I scrape away any of the excess, then I dip my finger in Boiled Linseed Oil and smooth the putty with my oiled finger to achieve an ultra smooth fill.

Answer 7

How To Spackle Corners

Answer 8

You use caulk to seal water or air. It's very difficult to apply smoothly enough to be invisible under paint.
Spackle, on the other hand, is made for filling imperfections. It's easy to apply, is easily sanded to blend in, takes paint perfectly.
When you use spackle, overfill a little because it will shrink somewhat in drying. If the area to be filled is quite large apply one coat, permit it to dry thoroughly, sand smooth ( except for the low spots ), Apply a second coat, sand and paint.
Use new extra fine sand paper for an excellent job. Warning - - -The spackle must be bone dry before sanding.

Answer 9

"ALEX PLUS" Acrylic latex is best. Get it in a squeeze tube, not one that has to go in a caulk gun...easier to work with. Squeeze on a bead, then use your finger to run along the seam to smooth out the bead. Wipe excess on a paper towel as you go. Don't waste money on one of those caulk seaming tools...fingers work better anyway.

Answer 10

Use caulk because it is flexible. Spackle will dry hard and crack when your house shifts.