Hey all,
So which method of filling nail holes in exterior trim finishes better and lasts longer – latex caulking or spackling compound?
Thanks,
JK
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Replies
Neither.
Latex caulk shrinks and dimples as it dries. You'll see every patch plus what catches on the adjacent surface. Spackle, to me, means drywall mud.
I would use a dedicated, water proof or resistant filler such as Elmers Exterior. Over fill the hole so that when dry you have to scrape or sand flush. You won't be able to see the patch when painted. If working with a grained product, such as rough cut cedar or the Miratek trim, I fill and scrape, with the grain, with a ragged object to simulate grain. Works every time - no visible patch under the paint. Sure, it take a little extra time to get it right.
Ralph-
Thanks. What I meant by 'spackle' was an exterior spackling compound that I've used before. It's available up in in the NW (Portland) by a very reputable local paint manufacturer/distributer. It is a filler - overfill and sand to finish. I was just wondering what people prefer. I've noticed the shrinking/dimpling with caulk on interior trim and ALWAYS realize it would have been better to take that extra step up front.
I guess I already knew which way I was gonna go.
It's like everytime I drywall: "Do I really need that third coat of mud?" And it's always better when I do.
Cheers.
I use exterior spackle, it's about $25 per quart.
-- J.S.
If the area is subject to severe conditions, or you have OCD, you can use epoxy.
OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Ah hah!
My wife has changed my middle name from "Frederic" to "Overkill".
I'm sure I'm not the only one here at Breaktime with this affliction.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one here at Breaktime with this affliction."
We have met the overkill, and it is us.
OCD should Be CDO
It should be called CDO, so it's in alphabetical order
abatron wood-epox a/b formula. there's no better........
I like to use Minwax's Hi Performance Wood Filler, especially on the larger holes and defects.
Its basically Bondo, but it works well for me, and is readily available.
I see a lot of the local paint crews are using the two-part solid stuff (it's a soft stick with a light-colour interior covered by a dark layer that you break off in chunks and kneed together to make an epoxy filler) - the bigger crews just use Bondo.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario