What is your go-to caulk?

paperclap

In the past, I've used Screwfix's own No-Nonsense caulk. Seems to have good reviews, and a go-to for a lot of people. But I didn't seem to have a great experience with it.

I used it to caulk the inside corners of my alcove units.

All caulked up, waited a good day or two to cure, caulked some low spots again, waited a good day or two to cure... painted over with acrylic eggshell. And you guessed it, it crazed. Scoured the 'net, and some people suggested painting over with Zinsser BIN, then painting again. It worked. But, later down the line, still had a few cracks appear.

Still got lots of tubes left of this stuff, so will use it for the bedroom cupboard, where it won't really be seen!

But, I don't fancy going through the same ballache when caulking all my architraves and skirting, where it's all on show.

Did I get a bad batch? Did I not wait long enough? Is this a common problem across all caulks?

Any go-to caulks out there which actually do a decent job?

Grenage

The only way you avoid cracks and crazing completely is if there is no movement.  If there was no movement you wouldn't need caulk. 

It is an imperfect world!

paperclap

Are you sure?

As far as I'm aware, crazing is caused by the paint, not the actual caulk.

And surely, cracks shouldn't appear if the caulk is suitable enough to flex enough (within reason)?

Grenage

The issue is that paint is not flexible, hence the cracks and crazing.

paperclap

But, aren't acrylic paints more flexible than oil-based paints?

I've used acrylic primer/undercoat and acrylic topcoat, and still crazed! Was only after I'd applied a coat of Zinsser BIN to the caulk that the crazing stopped. But it's a headache doing that, as you've then got to blend that in...

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Gave up using caulk and just use CT1 now. 

paperclap

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Gave up using caulk and just use CT1 now. 

Bloomin’ expensive though! Can CT1 be overpainted then?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

paperclap said:

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Gave up using caulk and just use CT1 now. 

Bloomin’ expensive though! Can CT1 be overpainted then?

Yes shouldn't be a problem, they say if you undercoat before top coat it won't yellow. 

Around £13 on Toolstation, if you need more than 1 tube you might get a better deal on eBay if you can find a seller who combines postage. 

I did the skirting and architrave in our living room around 18 months ago and none of it has cracked (touch wood!)