There it is. Your beautiful siding job marred by paint cracking. It’s not cracking everywhere – just on top of the sealant. Have you ever been there? Or have you painted over caulking in an interior application such as crown molding where the sealant seemed to last, but the paint cracked? You’re not alone, and today we’ll take a look at what causes paint to crack over sealant as well as some tips and tricks to avoid it.
What’s The Deal?
It’s important to understand what’s happening when paint cracks over a sealant. It’s probably being caused by one of these things. Either…
The paint was put on too soon or
The paint isn’t flexible enough
The sealant bead is too small
The sealant is the wrong technology
To be clear, in both of these cases, we’re referring to a situation where the sealant hasn’t cracked…the paint has. If you have cracked sealant, there are different things going on. Let’s break down both scenarios.
Scenario #1 – Painted Too Soon
Most caulking shrinks as it dries. There is water (or solvent) inside the caulking that leaves the film. When this happens, the film naturally shrinks. Because the bead is larger in the middle and thinner on the sides in a traditional joint, it shrinks the most in the middle to yield a concave appearance. The sealant is designed to do this. It’s been formulated to dry even when there’s a thick bead. Paint isn’t. Paint is designed to dry quickly. If you put paint overtop of a sealant that is still shrinking, it automatically forces the paint to flex. A high-quality paint might stand a chance, but a lot of them will fail within a couple days. That’s actually how you can usually tell that this was the problem. If the paint cracks in the first week, it’s probably from painting before the sealant was fully dry.
Scenario #2 – Paint Isn’t Flexible Enough
When a sealant is functioning properly, it’s moving. A lot of paints just can’t move with the sealant. This is especially true of the “highly filled” ones like primers and flat sheens. The flatter a paint, the more likely it is to crack when applied over a sealant. If nothing else works, try upping your paint spec to a higher quality or higher gloss paint. It may just solve the issue.
Scenario #3 – The Sealant Bead Is Too Small
This can be related to “scenario #2.” The smaller the bead of sealant is, the higher the percentage of movement that you’re asking for when it moves. For example, pretend that our siding moves ¼” every day. If our bead is ¼”, then the bead has to double in length to put up with the movement of going from ¼” to ½” and back. It’s moving 100% of it’s original length. Now imagine the same joint except we have 1/8” bead of sealant. Instead of moving 100% every day, it has to move 200% every day. The sealant is probably going to be ok in both cases…but the paint on top of the sealant is being asked to do the same thing. A bigger bead of sealant will make the sealant more durable…but it will also make the paint less likely to crack.
Scenario #4 – The Sealant Is The Wrong Technology
This one is pretty easy to diagnose. Silicones are not paintable. The failure won’t look like the images above…it’ll look more like this.Silicones are pretty easy to identify – they say “silicone” on the label. If you find yourself in this situation, you’re in for a bit of a rough redo. The process of removing a silicone is one we’ve covered before. You can find it here.
So to ensure success the next time you are planning to paint your sealant, ensure that you use a fairly large bead, give the bead plenty of time to dry, and coat it with a high-quality paint. You also have an alternative that could help prevent the issue in the first place. eXact Color is designed to give you a perfectly-tinted color of sealant that you won’t have to paint. You add the paint to the sealant instead of having to wait/come back to the job to paint it. To learn more about eXact color, head here.
We’re an 87 years-young family company that geeks out over a better way to caulk and stain. Making a ‘Good, Better, Best’ product range just doesn’t turn our crank. We’re passionate about making the highest performance product possible for each project.
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Hey there, sealant and caulk enthusiasts! We’ve got some exciting news to share with you. We recently held an Open House event that marked the beginning of a new era for Sashco. And let us tell you, it was a doozy!
The event was held at our new headquarters in Thornton, Colorado, and was attended by customers, partners, and team members alike. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what was to come. And boy, did we deliver!
The Open House event featured presentations from Sashco’s leadership team, including the CEO Les Burch, who outlined the company’s vision for the future. And let us just say, it was an impressive vision indeed. «Our goal is to provide our customers with a better way,» Burch said. «We want to innovate and create products that solve their most challenging problems and exceed their expectations.»
We couldn’t agree more. And speaking of innovation, Sashco’s state-of-the-art research and development lab was open for tours during the event. Attendees got an inside look at the company’s product development process and the cutting-edge technology and experienced chemists and engineers that make it all happen.
But Sashco didn’t stop there. Interactive exhibits were set up for attendees to learn more about Sashco’s products and services.
The event was a success, and attendees left feeling inspired and excited about Sashco’s future. «The Open House event was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Sashco and its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,» said one attendee. «I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this company.»
And we couldn’t agree more. With its commitment to growth, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Sashco is poised for continued success and is sure to delight its customers with a better way. We can’t wait to see what Sashco has in store for us next.
See how easy it is to mix Exact Color with Chris Berry, The Idaho Painter.
The color match possibilities are endless.
Discover the versatility and convenience of Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk with our comprehensive, easy-to-follow video tutorial. This video highlights the simple process of tinting Sashco’s eXact Color caulk to achieve seamless, color-matched sealing for any project.
Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor, this guide will help you master the art of perfectly matching your caulk to your project. Get ready to explore the magic of Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk – the revolutionary product that can be custom-tinted to match any color you need.
In this video, we walk you through the process of tinting eXact Color to match your desired paint color.
With Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk, you’ll say goodbye to the limitations of standard caulk colors and hello to endless color possibilities.
If you have any questions about the product or the process, feel free to reach out. We love hearing from you!
We’re here to help see your project through to the end.
Not sure which sealant, caulk, or other product is right for your job? Looking for the nearest location to buy products for your next home project? Don’t know exactly how to tackle your repair? We’re here to help.
He’s a law enforcement officer as well as a homesteader who lives in a small town outside of Des Moines, Iowa.
We found him on YouTube, invited ourselves to visit, and he graciously agreed. Cole took us around his homestead and showed us all of the places where he had applied Lexel to stop and prevent leaks.
When we arrived, we first checked out the barn where, in 2018, Cole constructed blocks out of white oak to support the door hinges and handles and to provide a nice aesthetic against the red metal barn. Cole told us that he knew he would need to somehow prevent water from penetrating the seams, but he still wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing. So, he was after a clear sealant that would allow his careful craftsmanship to show through. At the local hardware store employee’s recommendation, he purchased Lexel and applied it where the white oak wood blocks met the metal barn. During our visit, we were able to touch, see and feel the 4-year-old Lexel and could see and feel the moisture barrier it created. The blocks of wood where the Lexel was applied were still intact and showed no signs of weathering, thanks to the Lexel’s weather-resistant properties.
Not all seams on the oak blocks looked the same, though. Some of these things were definitely not like the others! Cole explained that during application, he ran out of Lexel, and in a pinch, he decided to use a different clear sealant that he had on hand to finish the job. Cole showed us where he had applied this other clear sealant. While it may have worked short-term in a time crunch, this difference over time between the two products’ durability was obvious. Here, a picture is worth a thousand words:
Lexelvs Competitor:
Lexel
Competitive Product
Next, Cole took us to the roof of his barn and showed us where he had sealed some skylights with clear Lexel. During installation, Cole bolted down the skylights, but also knew he wanted to seal them up tight for multiple reasons. First, he wanted to avoid water from seeping underneath the cracks where the skylight was bolted down, and second, he wanted to protect the interior of the barn from dust that gets stirred up by significant south winds which are common in Iowa. Cole showed us how the Lexel prevented any rain that hit the roof from seeping through cracks between the bolts. As we stood on his barn roof (on a non-windy day, of course), Cole physically pressed down with his fingers onto the skylight to also demonstrate where the dust would have entered the barn underneath the skylight seal had he not ensured a continuous seal using Lexel. He also noted, as he pressed with his finger, that even years after application the seal remained pliable and elastomeric underneath. He pointed and had us look closely as he showed us that we could quite literally see where the dust had blown up against the Lexel seal and stopped before getting under the window and into the barn. Pride of ownership was very apparent as Cole explained that sweeping out a dusty barn prevents him from doing other more important things on his busy homestead.
It was such a privilege to visit Cole’s homestead and see a few of the application spots where he had used Sashco products to ensure superior waterproofing and air-sealing. Not everyone is as gracious when guests invite themselves to visit, but Cole was very welcoming, and we are humbled by his hospitality.
Lexel is for lovers, and we have a story to prove it.
It’s important for the lifespan of your RVs and campers to preventively seal any potential moisture entry points before taking them out on trips. While we always recommend inspecting and locating potential entry points before your trip to the lake, sometimes you just don’t notice a leak until it is quite literally dripping on your head (or in this case, on your card game). Sashco’s Through the Roof and Lexel are heroes in this scenario. Both of these solvent-based sealants can be applied to an active leak and won’t wash away in the rain. Their superior adhesion qualities ensure that they stick the first time to your camper or RV and don’t require frequent re-application.
This brings us to the time that we took a little trip to Iowa to visit one of our true Lexel Junkies that we stumbled upon while scanning YouTube one day. We spent a day on Cole’s homestead where he showed us multiple scenarios in which he had used Sashco products to maintain his home and vehicles. He then told us a story about a time that he and his fiancé were on a weekend date/getaway in their camper. During the trip, they were inside playing a game of cards when the weather took a turn for the worse and a torrential downpour began. Water started seeping and dripping from the windows on their old camper. Cole, a natural storyteller, smiled and said,” I’ll never forget it. I come out here in the pouring rain and Nicole just watching from the inside of this window making fun of me». He went on to explain that he sealed the active leak during the rainstorm- thanks to having a cartridge of Lexel in the truck. Although he didn’t have a caulking gun handy, he grabbed a nearby stick and used it to push the plunger to get the Lexel out. Like a true hero, he saved the game of cards from becoming a soggy mess, while his fiancé chuckled and watched the fiasco in real-time from inside the camper. Cole also said that the rain actually may have helped him more easily tool the Lexel. We can’t help but wonder if Cole’s ingenuity and quick-thinking helped assure Nicole that she had chosen the right man and help seal the marriage deal (you never know, right?). The two are now happily married and Cole still has not had to re-apply the stick-applied Lexel after all these years. We think the big lesson here is to keep Lexel and a caulking gun in your camper, just in case (although Cole is living proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way).
Every month we feature a contractor, business, or success story. Learning from others in the biz is the best kind of learning. Today, Mike Bellevue shares a few of the inside secrets to Chewelah Painting’s success.
This month, we are featuring Mike Bellevue. Mike owns Chewelah Painting in Washington and has recently brought his log home finishing knowledge to Roe Paint in Idaho. Summer busyness is in full swing, so we’re grateful for the insights that Mike was willing to share about his business in the Pacific Northwest.
How’d you get started in the log home finishing business?
I am a carpenter by trade. I had every intention of working as a carpenter in Washington but was pulled into paint. We work in an area with a large number of log homes, and it wasn’t long before we worked on our first log home. The home came out great, but refinishing it was extremely tedious. Fortunately, I stumbled across Zero Failures and was blown away. Hands down the best training out there. I immediately bought a blaster and started marketing log home services. Three years later log homes became the majority of our work.
How big is your crew now?
We have five crews putting on coatings and working with several subcontractors. Our sub-contractors are vetted and are a part of the team.
What advice would you give to a newbie?
Attend Zero Failures training and pay attention…then go back the next year and learn more. Pay attention in the classroom, but also pay attention to your work. You will learn something on every job and refine your process.
What do you love most about log home refinishing?
We are artists, but not in the traditional sense. We take a work of art and make it beautiful again. Each log blasts and stains differently depending on species, exposure, and a number of other factors. We learn something on every job.
Mike, thanks for sharing a bit about your business. Feel free to look him up and pick his brain!
If you are looking for some business tips to help you find the best clients, we have just what you need.
Let’s face it. All clients are not created equal. What’s good for your business goes beyond just bidding and winning jobs. The customer needs to be a good fit too. A critical skill in business is learning to go after customers and jobs that make your time and energy worth it. Learn to look for jobs that aren’t a drain, emotionally or financially. The truth is that there is more work than contractors right now. For you, that’s excellent news. And, these four top tips will help you find the best jobs and clients.
Will You Enjoy Working With Them
It’s okay to ask yourself if a potential client will be easy to work with and make the job enjoyable or if there are red flags that signal a nightmare scenario. If you suspect that you’re bidding on a job for demanding clients, it’s okay to walk away politely. Remember, find people who value the work you provide and are willing to work with you to get the job done. You have a helpful service to offer. Save your energy for the clients who value you.
Understand Who YOU Are Looking For
If you don’t know who your ideal target customer is, defining that is your top priority. How will you know when you find the best clients if you don’t know who you’re looking for? Take a moment to picture the perfect client and job. What’s it look like?
Ask yourself:
Who are the clients?
What do they do?
What are their pain points, and can I help solve them?
Where do they spend their money?
How do they speak to you?
Having a clear strategy helps you reach your ideal client. You want to be a big fish in a small pond. Understanding your target market helps you get the potential customers you desire. Ultimately, building a business is about more than sales. Your goal should be to create something you enjoy and attract clients you want to work with.
Set Boundaries
Calling you at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Nope.
Texting you with a list of issues at 9 p.m. Nope.
Running out to «chat» as you climb into your truck to go home. Nope.
Changing 7-million items at the last minute. Nope.
Your clients want you to be in charge (even if they don’t know it). They hired you because they have confidence in your competence. It’s beneficial for you and them to set healthy boundaries for what’s acceptable and not while you work together.
Consider the Risk/Reward
It’s not uncommon for clients to look for contractors who offer ridiculously low prices. As a professional who provides products and services, that can be seriously frustrating. You provide good work and should be paid for the value you offer. The issue may be that you’re looking for business in the wrong places. Your goal should be to reach potential customers that understand your value. The internet is a blessing and a curse. Thanks to the old world-wide-web, everybody thinks they know everything, and they think they can get it done for pennies. This is not your ideal client. If a potential client’s first question is, «How much will it cost?» they are not your ideal client. Be picky about where you expend your time and expertise.
Rustic Park City feature
Can you tell us about your background?
I started Rustic Park City in 2022 after working as the lead project manager for a prominent Park City general contractor for 6+ years. While working as a lead project manager, I learned rather quickly that my skills as a problem solver were well suited for this business. I also learned that I cared about meeting timeline commitments and budgets much more than most others in the business.
How did you get started in log home finishing?
I bought a log home in the mountains near Park City and decided to take the restoration job on myself. I quickly realized that despite being a general contractor, I had a lot to learn. A local distributor, Wasatch Timber, helped me learn each step of log home restoration and muster the courage to point a blaster at my own home. As I restored the home, I fell in love with the details: the depth of the wood grain, the way the sun highlights the curvature of each log, the living character, and the rustic feel. I am standing here looking at it now. Sashco products made the home stunning. Living in a log home high in the mountains is the dream.
Our slogan at Rustic Park City is “Locals Building Locals.” We are protective of Park City, but we want others to have the opportunity to live the dream as well.
What advice would you give to a newbie?
Don’t devalue yourself. We don’t lower our prices. If at the end of a project you can walk away proud of your work, then the homeowner will be proud of it too. Work with dignity and integrity. You are an artisan.
We are builders by trade, not business owners. To start a business, you have to go out there and face your fears. Do one thing each day that moves your business forward. Face one fear each day.
What does the future look like for Rustic Park City?
I am legitimately scared by how quickly we are growing. I have built a team around me to support our growth. I have hired multiple accountants, business managements, and legal counsel. Without the team around me I am nothing more than a guy with a truck.
Michael, thanks for sharing a bit about your business. Feel free to look Michael up and pick his brain!
How’d you get started in the log home finishing business?
I fell in love with log homes when I was in fourth grade. I had always wanted to own a log home and bought one outside of Bozeman a few years ago. When the home needed work, I struggled to find a contractor.
After this experience, I slowly transitioned DKS from general contracting to log home restoration and maintenance. We were working on log homes full-time by the end of 2021.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced running DKS and how have you overcome it?
The biggest challenge has been finding quality employees that mesh with our team. We have overcome this by including DKS employees in the interview process. We treat employees like family which is especially important when we travel for jobs. I worked in the oil fields for 17 years before starting DKS, which taught me a lot about team comradery.
I fell in love with log homes when I was in fourth grade. I enjoy preserving the natural beauty and history of our area’s log homes, while also ensuring their longevity for generations to come.
What do you dislike most about log home refinishing?
Sanding. Ensuring you have removed all the dead wood cells on a log can be very time-consuming. It’s an important process and a labor of love. We take the time to teach our employees the importance of proper prep.
What’s the future hold for your business?
We have grown substantially over the last year and are currently booked through 2023. We are planning to add a second crew soon.
Donnie, thanks for sharing a bit about your business. Feel free to look Donnie up and pick his brain!
Watch Matt Risinger discuss eXact Color at IBS 2023.
Watch Matt Risinger of The Build Show discuss the incredible features and benefits of Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk! Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, this premium caulking solution is designed to revolutionize your projects. Get ready to learn how this innovative product can enhance your sealing and finishing needs while providing a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
Features:
Tintable Versatility: Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk offers unparalleled flexibility with its unique tinting capability. Choose from a wide range of custom colors or match it precisely to your desired shade, allowing you to achieve seamless integration with any surface or décor.
Superior Adhesion: This advanced caulk formula ensures exceptional adhesion to various materials, including wood, metal, vinyl, concrete, and more. It forms a strong bond that withstands movement, weathering, and expansion/contraction, making it ideal for both interior and exterior applications.
Long-Lasting Durability: Count on eXact Color Tintable Caulk to deliver outstanding durability. Its robust formulation resists cracking, shrinking, and crumbling, ensuring a lasting seal that stands the test of time. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your caulking job will maintain its integrity for years to come.
Easy Application: Designed for hassle-free use, this caulk features excellent workability, allowing for smooth and effortless application. Its smooth consistency and non-stringing properties make it easy to control, resulting in clean lines and professional-looking finishes every time.
Benefits:
Enhanced Aesthetics: With the ability to precisely match any color, this tintable caulk elevates the overall aesthetics of your projects. Seamlessly blend or highlight architectural details, trim, baseboards, and other surfaces, enhancing the visual appeal of your space.
Energy Efficiency: The outstanding adhesion properties of eXact Color Tintable Caulk help create an air-tight seal, reducing air leakage and heat transfer. By effectively sealing gaps and cracks, you’ll enhance energy efficiency, lower utility costs, and contribute to a more comfortable indoor environment.
Versatile Applications: From windows and doors to siding, baseboards, crown molding, and more, this caulk is suitable for a wide array of applications. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for residential projects, providing reliable performance across various surfaces.
Time and Cost Savings: The long-lasting durability of this caulk minimizes the need for frequent repairs and reapplication. By investing in eXact Color Tintable Caulk, you’ll save time and money in the long run, reducing maintenance and replacement expenses.
Experience the transformative power of Sashco’s eXact Color Tintable Caulk and take your sealing and finishing projects to new heights. Try it today and unlock a world of possibilities!
We’re here to help see your project through to the end.
Not sure which sealant, caulk, or other product is right for your job? Looking for the nearest location to buy products for your next home project? Don’t know exactly how to tackle your repair? We’re here to help.
Don’t compromise at the end of a long and arduous journey by using an inferior stain not designed for logs. Capture and Cascade deliver performance worthy of the journey that got you here.
Moves with your logs and timbers
Won't hide the wood grain
Easy clear coat maintenance with Cascade(R) exterior clear coat
Backer Materials that Seal Things Right the First Time Backer Rod, Grip Strip, and Log Gap Cap all help you create the ideal joint desing for a long-lasting, durable seal
Logs are in constant dynamic motion. That's why there's Log Builder®, the sealant made for log structures. Stretches up to 500% of original size, while still maintaining tenacious adhesion to the wood.
When other chinking pulls away, Log Jam holds its seal With Log Jam chinking, you can keep the cozy feel and rustic look of a log home without compromising comfort and performance.
Easy to Use - Hard to See Keep out weather, bugs, and moisture without seeing it. Conceal disappears into the woodwork so you don't know the wood starts and the caulk begins.
It's Music to the Eyes Symphony works in harmony with the unique character of your logs and wood to reflect an atmosphere or cozy warmth and elegance while creating and scuff-resistant and durable surface that's easy to dust.
Right Color. Right Quantity. Right Now. Never run out of stain at the jobsite again. Stock exactly what you need in your truck or trailer at the jobsite.
Easy to mix
The same color, durability, and application you've come to expect from Capture Log Stain and Transformation Log & Timber
Maintenance Made Easy Now that Capture® Log Stain is applied, it’s time for Cascade® Clear Topcoat to bring out the depth and character of your unique woodgrain while protecting it against moisture, mildew, and algae. Predictable and affordable routine maintenance with Cascade throughout the years means your home stays protected and beautiful. Easy!
Keep the Color the Color Colorfast delivers the ideal canvas for stain application and leaves behind the strong foundation necessary for long-lasting color. It’s color confidence for your log home.
Rot, weather, insects, fungi all pose a serious threat to your logs. Protect your investment—treat your logs first to make them last. Tim-bor® helps protect your home from the costly damage caused by rot and insect infestation.
Bugs don't stand a chance
Easy to mix and apply
Prevents decay fungi
Costs 5 times less than glycol-based borate products
Remove Wood Felting and Raised Grain Remove wood fuzz (called felting) after power washing or media blasting, and knock down excessive raised grain with Sashco's finish sanding tools
Clean and brighten bare logs and wood, remove surface dirt, pollen, and kill mold for maintenance, and keep your logs looking fresh with CPR Log Cleaner and Brightener
