Patching and Plastering - Caulking 18 ft Ceiling/Beam

Hi,
I have an 18 ft. ceiling that needs caulking between the ceiling an a large/long beam which is painted white. I have already paid somone to do it for me once (less than a year ago) since I do not have anything that will allow me to reach that high. Due to the extreme changes in temperature (over 100 degrees in the Summer and below freezing in the Winter) the caulk seems to come loose. My questions are these:

1.) Is there any type of special caulk for this situation that would not require repeated applications for such a high ceiling and extreme temperatures?

2.) If not, I want to be able to perform this task myself. So, is there any type of low cost, easy to assemble, light weight scaffolding available for me to purchase? A 12 ft. ladder plus my height would not even get me to 18 ft!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Wanda

1. My guess is the only caulk that is going to handle the large changes in temperature, will have to be silicon caulk, which you cannot paint, so buy the color you want.

2. Unless you are about 3 and a half feet tall, I don't understand how you can not reach over your head to a total height of 6 feet. If your arms and hands are 24 inches long (2 ft) and you are 4 feet to your shoulders, you ought to be able to reach 6 feet. Two 14' step ladders, with 2 - 2X8'S placed on the next to last step, is a pretty high scaffold. Or, you can buy one 28' extension ladder, separate it into two ladders, and use ladder jacks attached to each ladder.

Wanda
Well this is not that big of a deal,what is going on is the people who built the room, didn't bring the drywall up close enough to the beam, I have a 23' lam beam in my living room, what I did before I put up the sheetrock, I installed what is called J bead, and I placed the J bead within 1/8" away from the beam, then when you put up your sheetrock it butts right against the J bead, then after you can take and run a small bead of caulk, But these things do happen when the people doing the work don't want to take the time and do the job right,
But in your condision, what you need to do is go and rent yourself, a Baker with a height of 16'this will get you up to the ceiling, it will take you and someone else to put the Baker together, Now what you want to do is get yourself some Durabond 90 self setting joint compound, you mix it with water to an ice cream thickness, now take a 6" taping knife and fill the grap between the beam and the ceiling, pack it in, let it set up, it should be hard then shave off any high spots, now take and mix up another pan, and get some drywall paper tape and now mud and tape along the two edges, after the mud is dried, you can knock off any mud on the beam with your knife, shave down any lines, don't rip the tape, take your time, now coat two more times with the durabond, pulling it tight each coat,Then finish it off with a final coat of topping compound, this you will let dry over night, then sand out to a smooth finish, prime and paint, Good Luck Frank

Unfortunatly the changes in temperature will surely crack the mud.It is rigid when it sets and will not allow the neccessary flexibility.The silicone caulk in the closest color placed ith several slow light applications using a shaper(a small tool shaped to place a smooth angle in the caulk as well as press it into the needed areas)should result in an appealing finish and remain durable.I do however feel the rental of a Baker or other scaffolding is a sound investment anytime your working at a heighth your not comfortable with.I still have scars from a stepladder incident lol
Good luck and keep us all up to date.

THE HILLBILLY HANDYMAN!!