Paint over dry caulk

Question

I have caulked between the French doors and edges of the walls in my dining room, however when putting emulsion over it once it is fully dry, the paint almost disappears into a watery type texture. I presume this is due to moisture? I fi were to put primer/ undercoat over the top to act as a sealant, then reapply the emulsion once fully dry, would this do the trick?

Paul · Accepted Answer

Hi Ben 
Paul here from Pa decorators 
The sealer you put on is oil base so you will need to put on an oil base undercoat this will cover it and allow you to put emulsion over it 
Hope this helps 
Paul

Dale · Answer

According to what you have used, is it caulk or sealant. If sealant, should make sure it does not go on the wall. Should not be used for internal, except around window and door frames to be honest. If water based caulk, should not show through. Do you have a damp problem, or is the work untidy. A photo would help to give the real answer.

Valentin · Answer

Yes, you can paint over caulk, but make sure it is fully dry and that it is a paintable one. Some of them are not paintable, and from what you are saying, it looks like it's silicone. However, if you use a bonding primer, it will help the paint temporarily stick to it. But from my experience, if you touch it, it will degrade over time.

Lovepreet · Answer

First apply anti damp paint coat . It will absorb moisture then you can apply any type of paint on it

Ricky · Answer

Hi Ben , it sounds like you have used an oil based silicone . Right thing to do is use caulk as when caulk is dry you can go over it with emulsion .. you now have to use an oil based paint or polycell stain block then paint over with emulsion . Hope this helps .

High rollers

Stephen · Answer

no sounds like it is mastic and not caulk you should be able  to paint over caulk apply Zinsser bin over mastic and repaint

Volodymyr · Answer

The watery texture you're seeing when painting over caulk is a common issue caused by the caulk absorbing moisture from the emulsion paint. Caulk is often more porous than the surrounding wall, leading to uneven drying and a thin appearance.

Yes, applying a primer/undercoat over the caulk before reapplying emulsion is an effective solution.

Here's why and how:

Sealing the Caulk: Primer acts as a barrier, sealing the porous caulk and preventing it from excessively absorbing the emulsion's moisture. This allows the emulsion to form a proper, even film on the surface.
Uniform Absorption: Priming creates a consistent surface for paint absorption, ensuring a smoother, more even final finish.
Improved Adhesion: Primers also enhance the bond between the caulk and the topcoat, reducing the risk of future flaking or cracking.
Steps and Tips:

Ensure Caulk is Fully Dry: This is crucial. Even if touch-dry, caulk can take 24-72 hours (or more for thicker beads) to fully cure.
Verify Caulk Type: Most decorator's caulk (acrylic/latex) is paintable. If you used silicone sealant, paint will not adhere, and it must be removed and replaced with paintable caulk.
Choose the Right Primer: A standard water-based acrylic primer/undercoat is usually fine. For enhanced sealing, products like Zinsser B-I-N or Zinsser Cover Stain (shellac or oil-based) are excellent for problematic, absorbent surfaces like caulk.
Apply Primer: Apply a thin, even coat of primer only over the caulked areas. Allow it to dry completely as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Reapply Emulsion: Once the primer is dry, apply your emulsion. You should notice a significant improvement in coverage and finish consistency. Two coats of emulsion might be needed.
By following these steps, you'll resolve the watery paint issue and achieve a professional-looking finish.

Jawad · Answer

Yes, applying a primer or undercoat over the dried caulk will seal it properly. After that, your emulsion paint will stick better and give an even finish.

Sue · Answer

Yes this would do the trick, caulk can be painted on but depending on the walls a primer or sealer may be needed.

James · Answer

Is tha caulk completely dry? Are you sure it’s not silicone? Always let it set and then yes under coat it/prime, then emulsion however it should not be watery

Paint over dry caulk

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