That crown moulding in your remodeled dining room is gonna look sa-weet…just as soon as it looks finished. Here’s how to do that. Read on for Sashco’s guide to caulking trim and moulding for great results!
You’ll need:
If you want your caulking job to stick and stretch for years to come, make sure you clean the surfaces and remove old caulk. Wipe off any dust, fingerprints, oil spots, etc. If silicone is present, use a silicone caulk remover.
A smooth hand is paramount here, so lay off the coffee (but just for a few minutes). Apply the bead at least 1/8” to 1/4” wide to ensure there’s enough there to both stick to the joint and stretch with movement.
Use your finger, a beading tool or foam brushes to smooth the bead. This provides best adhesion and greater longevity. For a super-neat bead, outline the joint with blue painters tape before applying the caulk, then remove it before the caulk dries for a professional looking finish.
Use soapy water* or mineral spirits** to clean up tools and surfaces. It’ll be hard to look away. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.
*for Big Stretch, Conceal and eXact color ** for Lexel
New crown moulding, if solid wood, will shrink a lot after it’s first installed. So, before you start down this “How to caulk trim” road, wait until it has done most of its shrinking. (That’s anywhere from one to three days – less in warm, dry conditions, more in cold and/or humid conditions.) You’ll avoid having to repair caulk that has torn from extreme movement, and save your neck from unnecessary strain.
