What is the cleanest way to caulk and paint around black windows?

last year

Hello! We are wrapping up a 2-year home renovation that included installing the beautiful black framed windows pictured here. The painters used black caulk on the windows and then attempted to paint the inset window sills/reveals white. Here are pics of the mess that resulted. They are now attempting to "fix" it, but only seem to be making the problem worse. We are planning to defect from our contractor's painter and get a couple of other opinions, but this forum has never let me down, so I thought I'd throw the question out here as well. Can you help educate me on the correct way to finish these windows off with a nice, clean line? Thanks in advance!

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PRO

JAN MOYER

last year

last modified: last year

I have neurotic painters.......and I can tell you stop using a microscope because the darn things are a B!!!!!!!!&^^%%$$#

The slightest speed on a brush leads to over spray.

The best ? A painter with a hand so steady, you need no tape. That's what we did. Caulk? White caulk and Windex and smooth.......two weeks later

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Comments (23)

wdccruise
last year

FrogTape Multi-Surface 0.94 in. x 60 yds. Green Painter's Tape with Paint Block
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Deb Iaquinto
Original Author
last year
Thank you!
0
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Mary Elizabeth
last year
last modified: last year
Yes to the Frog tape, but not so sure if green is the right one. I think Yellow Frog would work better.

Are you going to redo this yourself or hire someone?

First, the caulk and/or paint that has already been applied probably needs to be removed, and NO residue left behind.

Does your home get "movement" that might cause the caulk to crack?

(We live in Minnesota, and it happens here almost no matter what you use.)

If you want to caulk first and then paint, I recommend PPG's Top Gun 400 (paintable - after it is fully cured!)

If you want to paint, then caulk, you can use a 100% silicone caulk (NOT paintable).

I would NOT caulk until the paint has fully cured.

The process involves LOTS of painter's tape and patience and can be a literal "pain in the neck".

It all depends on how important the outcome is to you.
Deb Iaquinto thanked Mary Elizabeth
wdccruise
last year
last modified: last year
DAP Dynaflex 230 (paintable) caulk is great. I don't see a reason to use the yellow "Delicate Surface" Frog Tape for this application.
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Deb Iaquinto thanked wdccruise
Mary Elizabeth
last year
@wdcruise, I have used dozens of rolls of the Yellow Frog and several of the green. The green is quite a bit stronger, so I reserve that for flooring surfaces, etc.

When caulking BEFORE paint, I only use Menard's brand of green "painter's tape" (half the price) to tape off and keep a straight line while working.

If I'm going to paint over the caulk, I tape off a 2nd time with the Yellow Frog, seal it with a damp microfiber cloth, and then paint.

If you've never used Top Gun 400, try it. Nothing DAP makes can compare.
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PRO
toddinmn
last year
Eliminate the sloppy caulk , mud it in tight and sand . If your good at painting just cut it in.
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Deb Iaquinto thanked toddinmn
Deb Iaquinto
Original Author
last year
Thank you all so much! This is NOT a project I would even remotely consider taking on myself. It's been such a hassle working with our contractor's painters that I want to talk to a few other professional painters to get to the best solution for us. The info you've given here will help me know what questions to ask. There are a lot of windows in this beautiful new home and they are a major design feature, so I want to get it right. Thank you!
wdccruise
last year
An enjoyable youtube comparison of seven painter's tapes (12 minutes).
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Deb Iaquinto thanked wdccruise
btydrvn
last year
That’s a lot of windows…painting may not be the most effective or efficient solution…is it possible to add a tiny moulding piece in metal that doesn’t need painting?..
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Deb Iaquinto thanked btydrvn
Deb Iaquinto
Original Author
last year
Jan Moyer: That view looks like mine! I wonder if we are neighbors?!? I get what you mean about losing the microscope...after the amount we've spent on this house, all I want is for the windows to not look like I did the painting!

btydrvn: That idea is actually something we are exploring.

Thank you all!
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btydrvn
last year
There also appears to be lots of tiny moulding that can be glued on efficiently…
btydrvn
last year
That would be my first option..nails…scary…
Deb Iaquinto
Original Author
last year
Thank you!
0
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
A good caulker never uses tape; it's a complete waste of time and tape.
Deb Iaquinto thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
Mary Elizabeth
last year
@Joseph Corlett, LLC,

You're assuming that the person doing the caulking and/or painting is actually a professional and cares about their work and reputation.

They are few and far between.

I'm not a pro, and not that great with a paintbrush, so taping off solves that problem (for me).
btydrvn
last year
Joseph knows his stuff….and in this case the tape really may not work with the caulk..due to the thickness of the calking material..but it is quite effective with paint…as paint has a low profile…
Deb Iaquinto thanked btydrvn
btydrvn
last year
When you pull off the tape chunks of caulk may pull off…even paint must be applied thinly to avoid that…
Deb Iaquinto thanked btydrvn
Mary Elizabeth
last year
@btydrvn, it's all in the process. When I caulk, I use a store brand of green tape. Lay the bead of caulk, smooth it quickly, after dipping my finger in either soapy water (for non-silicone) or rubbing alcohol (100% silicone). Pull the tape quickly in one direction, and lightly smooth again to lay down the edges. I've NEVER had "chunks of caulk".

When using tape with paint, Yellow Frog is the only one gentle enough, that will also truly block any paint from seeping at the edge (you must seal the edge with a damp cloth).

Timing for pulling this varies with the type of substrate and the paint.

I understand the good painters are probably faster with a brush and don't need the tape.

But it's next to impossible to find "really good painters".
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btydrvn
last year
I think the question is what to do now… not what should have been done then…
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
I caulked a tub once. Note "O.N.C.E".

Despite having watched the gun in skilled hands at least ten thousand times? The quick squirt and presto smooth? NO. no. no. Never again. Stay in your lane.
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PRO
PPF.
last year
Too late now, but for the searchers, I like using Trim-Tex Tear Away L Bead for a clean edge where drywall meets another surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ctmQeesuL4
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Deb Iaquinto thanked PPF.
PRO
toddinmn
last year
Not to late for tear-away.
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Deb Iaquinto thanked toddinmn

What is the cleanest way to caulk and paint around black windows?

JAN MOYER

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wdccruise

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What is the cleanest way to caulk and paint around black windows?

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