Replies

1. 
   Danno | Aug 24, 2006 03:37pm | #1

   I'm not trying to be a smart-guy, but if it's paintable, I would think the paint over it would be the thing that gets dirty. At any rate, silicone repells dirt, but won't take paint. There are paintable siliconized acrylic and latex caulks available that are good. I like Alex or Polyseamseal (though that can tend to be runny).

2. 
   DanH | Aug 24, 2006 06:14pm | #2

   Paintable caulk intentionally has a somewhat porous surface, in order to better hold the paint. It also contains fewer color stabilizers and UV blockers than non-paintable.

   So it's best if it's painted within a few months of application.

   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
3. 
   CAGIV | Aug 24, 2006 06:35pm | #3

   OSI Quad caulk is great for exterior trim, I don't know how easily it can be cleaned though.

   But if you're painting it, so long as you paint it quickly before it get's "dirty" it shouldn't matter how easily cleaned the caulk is.

    

   

1. 
   FastEddie | Aug 24, 2006 06:52pm | #4

   Especially if the caulk does not ahve a mildewcide additive, it will easily discolor.  But that can be removed with tsp or mild bleach.  You're right about keepinmg dirt out until after it skins over.

     

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

4. 
   TJK | Aug 25, 2006 12:14am | #5

   All of the acrylic caulks I've used attract dirt after they cure. I suppose that's why they also hold paint better than the silicone types. We get a lot of wind-blown silt and it can turn a bead of white caulk brown in a couple of days.