Why is Caulking and Masking Needed?

Tape caulking is done after your interior surfaces have been cleaned and repaired. Before the paint is applied, you need to caulk and mask because caulk can cover a lot of imperfections and prevent problematic issues, while the latter protects surfaces you don’t want to paint.

• After priming, cracks become more visible. Prime the wood before caulking as caulk sticks better after that. To avoid moisture seeping into walls, caulk all joints between trim and wall surfaces.
• Take two tubes of caulk and cut the tips. In one of the tubes, cut a tiny opening so that you can use it for narrow cracks at nearly all joints between the woodwork and walls. It can be put to use between various trim members as well such as frame joints and window stops. A bigger opening needs to be cut at the tip of the second tube as it will be used to seal larger cracks.
• Squeeze the trigger to apply the caulk, as you either push or pull the tip along the joint. Don’t use excessive caulk to fill up the crack (use only the amount needed), because it will spread out on the surface. Tiny holes can be filled and smoothed with wet fingertips. Allow sufficient time for the caulk to set.
• Buy painter’s tape, available in various degrees of tackiness and width, to mask the areas. It also comes off much easier as opposed to regular masking tape.
• Pre-taped masking paper or plastic works well, because the self-stick edges can hold on to surfaces like door trim or the top of a window. The width ranging from a couple of inches to several feet drapes the surface.
• It is advisable not to opt for masking tape because it has way too much adhesive, thus making it tougher to remove. A rougher edge is created as paint tends to bleed under masking tape more easily.
• To prevent paint bleeding under the tape, press the edge with a putty knife or any hard material.
• Remove the tape after the paint is dry. Don’t wait more than 24 hours to take off the tape as it might get wet or the sun might bake the tape on. Peel it back at an angle slowly, away from the painted surface to ensure that the freshly applied paint doesn’t peel.

Get in touch with Southwest Professional Painting to get the best tips about caulking and any painting-related issues.