HOW TO CAULK BASEBOARDS

STOP MAKING A MESS!! Your caulking job will make or break your trim install! Here are some great tips to get super crisp lines on your trim work.

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[sebowman]

I've been a painter for 38 years. My hat is off to you. Everything that comes out of mouth in this video is like you've read my thoughts. I always tell my customers that cracks are ugly and lets include caulking for a finished look. And you're on the money with a wet rag and wet finger. You are an excellent teacher and great speaker. Thank you for the videos.

[mattayapederson]

Thank you for NOT talking about anything but the task at hand. Drives me cray cray when the you tube folks talk about anything and everything before getting to the subject at hand. Your video's are great!

[daveadelsohn]

I am a 50 year veteran cabinet maker but I still learned a few tips from your videos. I respect you and your stile very much. God bless you

[sketchyskateboardingasmr]

I can't believe I watched all of your skateboard truck review videos when I was deciding on a new pair of trucks and now I've stumbled on your carpentry videos when I need carpentry help lol. The world needs more people like you

[jagros]

Great video and you make it look easy to get a professional finish.
Im retired now but had many years experience applying silicone sealant in the aerospace industry where you can't use a finger or any other implement - the sealant must be applied straight from the tip in its final form. An angled cut is used so that the trailing edge of the cut gives the scraping action with the gun held almost at right angles to the joint so that the sealant is forced into the joint then shaped all in one pass. Much practice makes perfect.
For painters caulk your method is fine, however sometimes I use an old credit card instead of a putty knife as it can scrape both face surfaces clean without marking and gives a constant radius. I always use paintable siliconised calk as it is not so likely to crack if there is any movement in the joint later.
Never use making tape to edge the calk, especially with silicone, as it leaves a ridge the same thickness of the tape, whereas a finger (or shaping tool) feathers the edge so its invisible.

[austinpatrick]

I was fortunate to have an old carpenter show me how to caulk properly my first week on the job. It's sad how many guys have been doing this for 40 years and still suck at it. It really isn't as simple as point and shoot. A lot of guys seem to just take it too lightly. The reality is you can make or break a job with your caulk work.

[sarahharvey]

I just built a house and am doing a lot of the finish work myself! Gotta love YouTube! Before I tackle a project I watch videos on how to do it. Great advice and tips!

[jdawg]

I thought this was worth sharing for non-pros: After years of caulking the houses I've lived in, I started using painter's tape along the trim before I caulk. I leave a very thin space between the trim and the tape to make sure enough caulk gets into the gap behind the trim. The prep takes longer than the caulking does, but I think it's worth it, especially if you don't have white walls like you do, which makes mistakes more obvious. After you're done caulking, you pull off the painter's tape and you have don't have any mess on the walls. Don't wait for the caulk to dry or else you'll start pulling off more caulk than you mean to.

[johnmariano]

This is one of the best training in this subject, in less than fifteen minutes showing the ins and outs of this subject. Just showing how you do it the quality way with all the steps necessary to do the best quality job along with all what can and what goes wrong and how to fix it, I appreciate it. You are one heck of a Crafstman and a highly qualified trainer. Sir, thank you!!!!

[musicschool]

I have been building on and off for 30 years. I have learnt soo many cool little tricks from you. You are also inspiring to watch as you are so engaging and seem passionate about what you do. Awesome vids!

[juleeleison]

Thank you! I'm finally validated. I'm self-taught and have been using my finger to smooth caulk around trim for 35 years, but had so many people tell me I was wrong, needed to buy special tools, etc. I hadn't thought to use my putty knife the way you do. I watched this to see if I could pick up any tips, so thank you. 
And you're the best drywall instructor I've found. I'd done a lot of small repairs, but never any extensive taping, skim coats or finishing new installation, and I just bought a house with an unfinished addition. You walked me through the job and the room is looking great.

[langent]

You ARE one of the best anywhere at teaching handyman and professional skills. Your to the point, explain things in common terms, not driven by product placements or metrics ;) and a joy to watch. Please keep up the great videos and stay safe.

[harrisb]

I did a 16 x 16 ceiling last year, only after figuring out the feathering techniques you had described in a few of your videos. There's a butt joint between two sheets just four feet in from a window; not a suggestion of a shadow even with daylight only. Real proud. Thanks very much.

Comment on caulking technique: some tubes used to have instructions recommending "pushing" the tube along the joint rather than "pulling". I find this does two things: when you have the speed and feed coordinated, it pushes the caulk into the joint and the trailing edge of the plastic nozzle forms the bead neatly. May still need to be tooled but minimally. I use a putty knife too, but also have a double-ended tool having a square putty-type blade at one end, and a rounded point at the other. Works great on inside crown joints.

Thanks again for great videos.

[johnnypenso]

A friend of mine showed me this technique about 20 years ago. The results are simply phenomenal and you can be a little sloppier putting your trim together because the caulking covers up a lot of mistakes. Great video!!

[chaplainand]

Spludge. What a great word. Says so much with so little need for explanation. Folks in the trades have an entire vernacular separate from the rest of the world. I like that. Something you might try sometime. I was working in a new house. The carpet guy came. I said Hey and asked, How ya doin? His response, John, was I am not on fire and no one is shooting at me. I think I'm ok.
Perspective. It's helpful to have, otherwise, life is just one spludge after another. And, I appreciate your sense of humor. I found that doing remodel work, if you have no sense of humor or acceptance for things the way they are, work can really suck.
Sometimes, when I discover I have really made a mess of things or a costly mistake (to me), I just laugh, shake my head, and do what needs to be done to make it right. Thanks for the smiles and for making videos that I like and from which I have learned a lot already.

[seannardella]

You have basically rebuilt my house for me with this channel. I watch your videos, then black out and when I come to, things are done and they look great.

[mollymom]

Thank you so much for this. I’m a newbie and learned a lot. It’s nice to see someone else being unapologetically perfectionist!

[symposes]

I think my house must have been built on a friday.

[kctlm]

This video is great! Thanks for all the little tips and details! I am a DIY finishing my basement on my own. My appreciation and respect for tradesmen like you has exploded over the last 2 years! Thanks for sharing your thought process and experience, sir.

[jms]

Round the caulking tube tip and Damp wash cloth over the finger can help you too. I was a high end house and commercial painter for 10 years.