Silicone caulking is a useful product to use by homeowners and carpenters to repair small and big holes in objects. Caulk is an excellent product to seal gaps, but painting over the silicone caulk ensues a lot of trouble. So, getting the best result on how to paint over silicone caulking needs the best action.
Paint doesn’t stick with the caulking surface after doing a well covering. We don’t say you can’t do it, we want to say simply paint can’t overcome the situation. There are a few secrets and different ways you need to apply when you paint over silicone caulk. So, you can’t finish the job by doing a simple paint.
Moreover, carefully priming the caulk gives you a quick and easy solution to paint over after an hour. But, the more better option is using a paintable caulk over it for fast adhesion.
Let’s see what you need to do to paint over silicone caulking.
True Method For Painting Over Silicone Caulk
Use of Shellac Spray Primer
Shellac is a very affordable primer for any surface. This can stick with any surface for better painting. So, this will be a niche short out before painting over silicone caulk. There are many reputed brands out there for you to get one to use.
For best priming over silicone caulk, Rust-Oleum Zinsser is a good choice.
Shake and Mix Well
If you want the primer stick over the caulk, shake it 10-12 times for mixing well. Take the lid off, hold it top with one finger and rest of the fingers in the body, then use it to shake thoroughly up and down.
Start Spraying Over Caulk
Hold the spray primer 2-3 inches from the silicone caulk. Open the nozzle cap, point it to the caulk and start shooting primer over it. Work until you completely cover the caulk.
If you don’t want to spread the primer around, wrap them using painter’s tape. Also, use hand gloves to save your hand from primer and paint.
Time to Dry
Don’t be so hurry, let the primer dry for a couple of minutes (around 40-45 min). Meanwhile, ready your paint so well for applying the first coat.
Always double-check the primer instruction manual, there will be noted the drying time. Sometimes, it will take less or more than 45 minutes depending on the brands. You can use your hairdryer for faster drying, but we don’t recommend this to try.
Painting Your Favoured Color
When you notice the primer dry completely, apply the first coat of paint color you want to paint. You can use latex paint or oil-based paint over shellac primer.
However, one coat is enough to paint. If you see the primer is showing up, apply the second coat of paint after drying the first coat. Cover around with painter’s tape so that you can stop painting other areas.
Use of Paintable Silicone Caulk
Now we will talk about the second method, which will be easier to paint over silicone caulk than the first one. This method is very familiar to homeowners and handyman service providers.
You need two things to start – get a paintable caulk and a tube to apply it. You can add a new caulk layer over the non-paintable one. But, the best way to apply a paintable caulk is to remove the old one.
Remove the Non-paintable Silicone Caulk
A caulk remover or putty knife is enough to remove all old silicone caulk. In Fact, it’s the easiest way to do it.
If you successfully loosen all existing silicone caulk, then you’re ready to apply the new paintable silicone caulk.
Use a Caulking Gun
You can speed up the work using a caulking gun. Take a scissor to cut the caulk tip and put it into the caulking gun. Now aim it where you want to cover. Start pressing the gun from a line and slowly fill it with the paintable silicone caulk.
If you don’t keep your hand stays steel from too much shaking, cover the outside area using painter’s tape so you can avoid caulking non-painted areas.
Apply Paintable Caulk Over the Old Caulk
Poured some alcohol over the caulking surface. It will work as sandpaper to remove oils. Thoroughly clean the surface so that there will be no silicone residue left. Test an area by applying a new wider bead of caulk so that you can know the oils are no longer residing on the surface.
Now apply paintable caulks as much as needed. Make sure you add the new bead slightly wider than the old one. Because it helps to stick the new bead on either side of the silicone.
Finally Paint Over Silicone Caulk
Time to finish the final part of how to paint over silicone caulking. Before painting over silicone caulk, wait 24 hours to dry the paintable silicone caulk. Start to paint color on your choice when it’s fully cured and dry.
Don’t miss the opportunity to check the manufacturer’s manual guide. They mentioned how many hours you need to wait. Average it takes 24 hours, but follow the instructions as they said.
Note: If you want to remove the old silicone caulking, use a brush and alcohol for rubbing it thoroughly.
Is It Possible to Put New Caulking Over Old Silicone Caulking?
Caulking is an inexpensive and easy way to seal water leakage, surface gaps, and prevent growing mold. If you want to apply new caulking, you might remove old caulking.
However, you don’t always need to remove old caulking for applying the new caulking. But it will be best practice to remove the first one before putting in the second layer on silicone caulk. Because silicone itself is non-sticky, which is pointless to add a second layer to it.
You can solve it by applying a wider bead. Adding a wider bead can cover the old caulking and stick it into the uncaulk area. Before that, clean the surface and surrounding areas with alcohol. Test a sample area adding a few caulking. If you see they stick enough with the surface, apply it in the entire area using a caulking gun.
Final Words
Painting over silicone caulking isn’t a big deal, you need to finish the job carefully for the desired result. Our research covers the best result on how to paint over silicone caulking. We believe homeowners and handymen will get a proper combination of painting over silicone caulk.
If you like a paint can over spray paint, use an oil-based paint and brush to finish it. Must follow the manufacturer’s manual and let the paint have enough time to dry completely.
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