I painted before I caulked my trim, what now?

Question

I removed the baseboards, window and door trim. I painted the room and the trim seperately. I thought it would be easier. When I replaced the trim, I have some gaps where I sanded off the old paint that some one had globbed in the trim to fill holes. Now, I tried using a paintable caulk to fill the gaps. But, the caulk keeps overlapping my paint and leaving white marks. I think this just means that I am going to have to paint all around the trim again. Just needing confirmation I guess.

Thanks, NWA

Answer 1

I like the second answer. I always pre-paint my trim, nail it in place, caulk, then touch-up. You only need to re-paint over the areas that you caulk, and fill. Wait until the caulk is dry.

Answer 2

Use clear caulking -- goes on white, dries clear. Make sure you get the kind that is paintable. You just put it on and, when it dries, paint over the caulk where it needs it (otherwise, on large gaps, it still looks like a gap is there, as the caulk is clear). This way, you only need to touch up the baseboards and you don't need to worry about getting caulk on the walls.

Answer 3

tape off the walls above the baseboard. i recommend using scotch painter's tape, extremely low tack. the tape will have an orange cardboard core. if not than any other low tack painters tape will work just fine. make sure you spend time making it as straight as possible. then caulk, and immediately take the tape off. there will be a straight line. be sure not to use too much caulk, otherwise it may leave a large edge. also, make sure to only caulk perhaps one wall at a time. dont let the caulk dry or when you pull off your tape it may pull your caulk off. do the same thing with your door and window trim. you want to do as little paint touch ups as possible because the texture and finish always changes. if you do touch up, tape off your trimwork and dab with your brush, to get a "roller pad" texture. make sure to blend in the ouside edges with less paint than the center.

-kayem painting

Answer 4

Sounds like you are using too much caulk. Try a new tube with a smaller line. When you do have to fill largr gaps use a wet cloth to wipe away excess.
wet the cloth and wrap it around one finger and carefull remove

Answer 5

Just touch up the paint, and you will be alright. You already have a good idea of what you need to do.

Answer 6

yes,

you made a boo boo.

Don't feel so bad we all learn from our mistakes.