How to Caulk Wood Trim
Trim gives borders to your walls, separating them from floors and ceilings. Installing trim properly means doing everything possible to cover imperfections and protect the trim. Caulking the trim in your home protects it from moisture from behind and gives a smooth solid surface to the unsightly cracks between the trim and wall. To caulk the trim in your home takes some time, a few tools and a little know how. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Razor knife
- Caulk gun
- Tube of 30-year acrylic caulk
- Clean, wet rag
- 8d finishing nail
Instructions
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1
Cut the tip off the tube of caulk with your razor knife. Find the angled mark on the tip labeled 1/4, and cut along that line. This will give you a 1/4-inch opening in the tip.
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2
Slide a finishing nail into the hole in the tip. Press on the nail to puncture the diaphragm inside the tube. Remove the nail from the tip, and set it aside for the next tube.
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3
Slide the back of the tube into the caulk gun so that the long point of your angle cut tip is at the top and pointing out of the front of the gun. Squeeze the trigger gently to lock the tube into place. When caulk begins to come out of the tip, hit the release button to relieve the pressure and wipe the tip with your wet rag.
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4
Place the point of your tip into a corner. Hold the gun at an angle so that the tip is hitting the wall and trim at the same time. Pull the trigger, and begin to pull the caulk gun away from the corner as you drag it across the trim and wall. This will leave a bead of caulk covering the crack between the wall and trim. Lay a bead about 3-feet long, remove the gun, press the pressure release and wipe the tip clean.
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5
Place your finger into the corner, press gently into the bead of caulk and drag your finger across the caulk. This will press the caulk into the gap and smooth the bead to get a smooth, solid surface. Keep your finger clean during this process to insure a smooth, uniform look throughout.
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Tips & Warnings
Caulk every joint between trim and walls, ceilings and floors. Also caulk junctures where trim pieces meet to remove those cracks as well.
Razor knives pose a cut hazard. Please exercise caution and common sense when using knives of any type.
