What to cover up a shotty caulking job?

Betty Rhodes
by Betty Rhodes

We recently had our bathrooms and bedrooms painted. The painter did some caulking along the front of the bath tubs and shower. The caulking looks grainy almost like concrete. It is not nice and shiny like I wanted it to be.

Does anyone know what I could paint over it to seal it and make it look more like

it should look. Most of the time caulking blends right in with whatever is being caulked.

I thought about calling him to come back and do something else, but feel a little

leery about doing that, so I thought I would put my question out here to see what kind of advise I might get, before I do anything else.

Thanks


  9 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 15, 2020

    I would ask him to re do the job. He must have used the wrong kind or some that is old. You can remove it and replace it yourself. It's an easy job. However, it seems a shame that you would have to do it since you paid for him to do it. Anything you use to paint over it will crack over time and have to be cleaned off and painted again.

    • See 1 previous
    • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 16, 2020

      Since it's a pliable, almost rubber surface it moves which is what will cause the paint to crack. Hope you have better luck this go round.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Apr 15, 2020

    It sounds like that caulk needs to be removed and needs to be re-caulked. this goes beyond how it looks, you want to make sure the caulk is done well to prevent water or moisture from getting behind the tub and shower.

  • Cindy Cindy on Apr 15, 2020

    Hi Betty. I recommend removing the bad caulk first. Please do not caulk over the bad caulk. To do the job easier use a utility knife and cut it at the top and bottom and work it out with a screw driver, or butter knife, to remove the old caulk. If your repair man has a web site, you might want to read some of his reviews. Good luck Betty. Stay well and healthy.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Apr 15, 2020

    Hi! Talk to the painter. It may have been a miscommunication. You do need to remove it before recaulking. Make sure you see what the caulk looks like dry before applying. Good luck and stay well!

  • William William on Apr 16, 2020

    Paint does not adhere to caulk except paintable caulk that is used outdoors. The caulk will need to be removed and new caulk applied. Also use kitchen and bathroom caulk. It has midewcides in it to slow mold growth. If he did a terrible job as simple as caulking I too would be hesitant having him do anything else. Here's some instructions on applying caulk


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/learn-how-to-caulk-like-a-pro-23425357


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/plumbing/how-to-get-rid-of-old-grout-and-caulking-9653204

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 16, 2020

    Hello Betty,

    He has used tile grouting , I think when he should have used Silicone! Ask him if he can come back an replace it for you. Best wishes......

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Apr 16, 2020

    YES call them back. It isn't right when we pay for jobs we aren't happy with the result. if he did use tile grout, that isn't done correctly and should be fixed. That will crack because of water in just a few weeks.

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Apr 16, 2020

    You probably need to remove it, but here is a post that explains your options https://www.hunker.com/13416731/can-you-put-new-caulking-over-old-caulking

  • Sounds like he might have used a caulk that is meant to look like grout, so it would have the texture grain how you're describing. If you want to change it, you would need to cut out the old caulk and redo it with the type you want. HERE is a post I wrote with some caulking tips. Maybe it will help you.