Spackle by itself will crack. But spackle over caulk won't crack, according to these guys. You are better off with just the spackle. Spackle over caulk will just make the spackle fall out of the cracks. Spackle wants a hard surface to bond to, not a flexible one like caulk.
Full Answer
What's the difference between caulk and spackling compound?
Whereas caulk is a flexible coating that resists moisture, spackling compound dries hard and isn't water-resistant. As a rule of thumb, caulk is best for corners and joints while spackling compound is a filler for small holes, dents and cracks -- but it isn't unusual for painters to adapt these materials for special needs. Video of the Day
Should you use caulk or spackle for drywall?
In short, use caulk for corners and edges, use wood filler for flat surfaces, and use spackle for drywall. Let’s dive into it. When should I use caulk? Caulk should be used when doing projects like installing crown molding. Installing crown molding will leave you with corners and gaps that need to be filled.
Can you use gypsum as a spackling compound?
Even drywall joint compound, which is a gypsum product, can serve as spackling compound, as can some latex- or solvent-based wood fillers. All these products dry hard and can be sanded, making them useful for patching holes on flat surfaces prior to painting.
What is spackling compound made of?
"Spackling compound" is a catchall term for a variety of types of wood and drywall fillers. "Spackle" is the brand name for a product consisting of clay, calcium carbonate and vinyl polymers. Other products contain similar ingredients or may have a higher concentration of vinyl to give them a lighter weight and shorter drying time.
Can you caulk over spackling?
Is it possible to caulk over a spackle? Spackle cannot attach to caulk in the same way that oil and water cannot adhere to each other. Spackle can also be globbed in and left in thick sections since it will not dry and will shrink.
Do I spackle or caulk first?
0:052:27Do You Caulk First? Or fill first? Tell me why! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnder most circumstances. I would prefer to fill first and then caulk after and now here's why inMoreUnder most circumstances. I would prefer to fill first and then caulk after and now here's why in order to do the caulking. You need to make sure that you have your trim totally dust free.
Does silicone stick to spackle?
If the compound is truly 100 percent silicone, you cannot spackle or paint over it. Test the compound by applying a latex paint to the surface. A silicone surface will cause brushed-on paint to bead up and skip across the surface. The best way to remove silicone is to apply plain old elbow grease.
How do you caulk spackle?
1:136:03How to Use Caulk and Spackle on Wood Trim and Molding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo much quicker and easier. So i applied the spackling with my fingers. And i let that dry usually iMoreSo much quicker and easier. So i applied the spackling with my fingers. And i let that dry usually i let it dry for a couple hours it can dry a lot faster on small nail holes.
Can you caulk over drywall mud?
No. Caulk might look great for a short time (if it doesn't shrink to oblivion right away), but it doesn't bond to the cut end of the gypsum panel at all. Eventually it'll crack loose. You need tape in most cases to create a solid bond (tape-on-paper, essentially), and to add structure and continuity to the joint.
Can I use caulk to fix drywall cracks?
One alternative to common drywall patching compound is paintable caulk. If, for some reason, you find your drywall cracks repeatedly (around the edge of a windowpane, for example), apply a paintable caulk that is also water washable directly into the crack with your finger.
Will caulk stick to plaster?
Decorator's caulk: Adding a professional touch No more unsightly gaps or holes! Another advantage of the flexible filler is its versatility. You can apply it to dry wall, brick, metal, concrete, plaster, masonry, wood, and many other common materials.
Can you caulk over plaster?
A: Working latex caulk into the plaster cracks with your finger and then wiping off the excess with a damp paper towel or rag might help for a little while. Caulk is designed to be flexible; it expands and contracts.
Is spackling waterproof?
Painters use caulk and spackling compound to fill gaps and holes, but that's about all these two materials have in common. Whereas caulk is a flexible coating that resists moisture, spackling compound dries hard and isn't water-resistant.
What's the difference between drywall compound and spackle?
Spackle compound for drywall is made of gypsum powder and binders. It is thicker than joint compound (drywall mud), similar to the consistency of toothpaste. Spackle is sold in a premixed tub container. It is also available in several different grades designed for specific applications.
Can I caulk after painting?
You can caulk after painting, but you would have to repaint the surface to cover the caulk. If you believe in the resilience or cost efficiency of the surface or infrastructure, you can caulk after painting. You also have to wait for the paint to dry properly before applying the caulk.
How long does spackle take to dry?
1-2 hoursFast-drying spackle may take only a few minutes to dry but it isn't wise to start sanding or painting for at least another 1-2 hours. Normal spackles will take 1-2 hours to fully dry but we don't recommend sanding or painting until a full 24 hours has passed and the drying is complete.
Do you wash walls before spackling?
Before applying spackle, you must clean and otherwise smooth out the area around the hole or crack so that the surface is optimized for proper spackling paste adhesion.
How do you spackle a bathroom wall?
1:5211:17How to Spackle a Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGoing over the joint smoothing it out scraping off any excess. Now don't be afraid to go back andMoreGoing over the joint smoothing it out scraping off any excess. Now don't be afraid to go back and add more spackle. If it still seems low so I'm gonna go back go up on even more spackle.
Is spackling waterproof?
Painters use caulk and spackling compound to fill gaps and holes, but that's about all these two materials have in common. Whereas caulk is a flexible coating that resists moisture, spackling compound dries hard and isn't water-resistant.
What is difference between spackle and joint compound?
Spackle is made for small repair jobs. It's thicker than joint compound and harder to spread. Because it has a binding agent mixed in with the gypsum powder, it is more elastic and less likely to crack or shrink when dried. Spackle is a little more expensive than joint compound.
When should I use caulk?
Caulk should be used when doing projects like installing crown molding. Installing crown molding will leave you with corners and gaps that need to be filled.
What is spackle used for?
Spackle is used to fill holes in drywall made from screws or na ils. Spackle forms to the best consistency and sands down best to match drywall and fill nail holes evenly. Simply pull out a chunk of spackle and work it into the hole.
What is the best way to fill in gaps in molding?
Use wood filler to patch flat cracks or gaps in molding. The wood filler does a better job of smoothing flush because it is made to fill in flat gaps and joints on wood.
Can you use wood filler to smooth wood?
As long as you're not talking something the size of like a quarter then you should be able to use it. Wood filler can be used to patch and sand smooth any wood surface. You should be able to fill them, sand, then paint or stain over it. Good luck!
Can you use wood filler to fill gaps?
Hey Jeanne, with smaller gaps, you should be able to use wood filler and then sand and stain to match. For the bigger gaps, you might need to put a thin strip of wood in the gap, then wood filler over/around it.
How to apply caulk to a gap?
Before application, ensure that the area to be caulked is free of dirt and clear of any old caulk. Apply the material in a gap with a smooth forward motion in a single sweep of about 3 feet at one time. The material may be pushed into the gap by a caulk smoother or via a Popsicle stick or moistened finger.
How to properly use spackle?
To properly apply spackle, use two patching knives: a smaller one to scoop out the substance from its container, the second to tap it into place. Patching knives of 3 or 6 inches are usually sufficient, although for tight areas, a 1-inch knife may be needed.
What is spackling used for?
Spackling is used on drywall and plaster. For large holes within wooden surfaces, wood putty is used to fill, set and smooth an area. Spackle is used for holes that are the width of a quarter or smaller. For larger holes, drywall compound should be used for the repair.
What is spackle repair?
Spackle Repairs. At its most simple, spackle is used for repairing larger holes in a wall. It is also commonly used to help smooth out imperfections in walls so that a surface that needs to be painted or covered with wallpaper or another substance is level. Spackling is used on drywall and plaster.
Why do you caulk around windows?
Caulking is often applied around windows to seal out air and moisture.
Do gables have rafters?
The gables are even trickier with the drip edging, and no rafters.
Is spackle a soft compound?
He may be thrilled now but again, spackle is just cheap soft interior patching compound, it was never meant to be used outdoors or in the weather.
Can spackle be used as caulk?
Spackle cannot adhere to caulk any more than oil and water mix, spackle also can't just be globbed in and left in thick section it wont dry, it also shrinks. A good silicone based caulk adheres well and doesn't just crack, but you need the paintable stuff and I don't know what if any 100% silicone caulks are paintable.
Can you put spackle outside?
You dont want to put spackle outside anyway, it's an interior product, caulk will not crack if you use the good stuff, the $1.99 a tube stuff is garbage. Fact is, wood expands and contracts with humidity and temperature, you can't stop this and if you put something hard in open expansion cracks of the wood it can't shrink back where it was and this makes more cracks. Good paintable caulk will stay and move with the board.
