Painting - Help! - Inadvertantly used non-paintable caulk!

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mossman
10-26-09, 05:11 PM
I just replaced a bunch of trim pieces on the exterior of my home and inadvertantly caulked everything with non-paintable caulk including all the nails holes. I didn't realize it until I already started painting. Will it be ok as long as I put on several coats, or am I screwed? Removing the caulk at this point is not an option.

chfite
10-26-09, 05:36 PM
You might try scraping or otherwise mechanically removing the caulk, then applying the appropriate caulk. If paint won't adhere to the caulk, then a lot of paint won't adhere to the caulk.
mossman
10-26-09, 05:42 PM
I can probably easily remove the caulk around the window with a putty knife (right?) and replace it with paintable caulk. Perhaps I can sand the caulk off the face of the boards or maybe apply paintable caulk over top then repaint? How about applying a thin coat of wood putty over the caulk then repainting?

slickracer
10-27-09, 05:04 AM
Try some Zinsser Cover Stain, I have had it stick well to silicone caulk but that was on interior. I'm not sure how well it would hold up outside.
marksr
10-27-09, 05:11 AM
A fast drying primer will help but removing and replacing the silicone caulking is best.
mossman
10-29-09, 06:42 PM
I will likely remove the caulk around the window and replace with latex, but the caulk spread over the nail holes is actually not that noticeable. I think another coat of paint will cover those up nicely. I'm just concerned that the paint will begin to chip in those areas. Is that a possibility?
marksr
10-30-09, 04:17 AM
I'd try to rough those areas up with sandpaper. Paint doesn't adhere well to silicone caulk which is evidenced by the way it 'crawls' when it's painted. It would be best to coat those areas with a pigmented shellac like zinnser's BIN and then paint them.
jessica0698
11-02-09, 01:16 PM
I did this like 2 hours ago in my KITCHEN!!! I can't believe it...:wall: luckliy I only trimmed out one door and part of a baseboard...but still!! Is the Zimmers BIN of CoverStain the better option as I can see the residue on my wall :mad:
marksr
11-02-09, 04:26 PM
Have you tried scrubbing off the residue with a thinner rag?

Zinnser's BIN is a pigmented shellac primer which is good at adhering to problem surfaces. BIN should adhere well to the silicone but on heavy silicone, if the silicone moves/stretches - the paint will crack.... so it's always best to remove as much of the silicone caulk as you can!
jessica0698
11-03-09, 07:51 AM
I have sanded most of the residue that was on the walls, and on the trim.....however there is some left between the trim and wall, I just can't get it out!! Could I apply PAINTABLE caulk over this little bit??? Thanks for your help!!

Not to sound stupid...but what is a thinner rag??
marksr
11-03-09, 12:20 PM
A thinner rag is a rag wet with paint thinner.

Have you tried cutting out the silicone caulk with an utility knife? It would probably be best to prime the remaining caulk with BIN. If it needs more caulk, caulk it after the primer dries. I'd be leary that latex caulk applied over silicone might not stay adhered.