Here's a good one from a dumb HO... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dorman Painting · 02-20-2008, 05:39 PM

A repeat client of mine called me to paint her bathroom, some knick nack trim here and there and a couple of walls. No big deal, I went to look at it Monday and told her I could get on it immediately. When I went down there Monday, I noticed her husband had caulked the trim in the bathroom, some crown molding, baseboard and the door casing. They put all new trim in the bath. I also noticed that the caulking felt wet and I asked her when he did it. She said several days ago, so I thought something was strange.

I go down there today to start and after sanding everything start applying the trim paint and it becomes an absolute nightmare. Her husband apparently used nonpaintable silicone type caulking that when painted, the paint just pulls apart. I cut out some of it but also caulked over what I couldn't get out. this job just went from being a one day job to a full two day job. She kept saying I'm so sorry, we didn't know what kind of caulking to use. I just hope I can make it look decent, I was having a awful time with this mess. HO's have NO clue about proper procedures and products...this job just went up another couple hundred dollars and she's not going to like it one bit either.

thom · 02-20-2008, 05:46 PM

I've had counter top installers use that stuff. The best way is the lightly caulk with latex over the top, then paint.

**slickshift** · 02-20-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorman Painting

...silicone...caulking...

< shivers and hair on back of neck stand up >

**slickshift** · 02-20-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thom

The best way is the lightly caulk with latex over the top, then paint.

Actually the best was is to remove it and do it properly
The second best way, if removal is not possible, is an alcohol rub and two light coats of BIN then top coat and pray

A light scuff and paint, or a light caulking over it might work
But not as often/well as the BIN

Celtic · 02-20-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorman Painting

...this job just went up another couple hundred dollars and she's not going to like it one bit either.

Sounds like she hasn't agreed to the new charge either...as she hasn't been informed of it.

Dorman Painting · 02-20-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celtic

Sounds like she hasn't agreed to the new charge either...as she hasn't been informed of it.

No I haven't informed her of it yet, but I did make the comment to her that this is not what I bargained for. The main reason I didn't do a change order yet is because I really have no idea how much more time this is going to take. I don't want to tell her it's going to be another hundred bucks and then it turns out I should've told her three hundred.

I'm going to bill her for my extra time at the end of the job...that's fair IMO.

**Double-A** · 02-20-2008, 07:26 PM

If this is not a large bathroom, would she be better off removing the trim and the silicone residue and just starting over?

BCPNJ · 02-20-2008, 08:43 PM

Good ol sillycone. Do it right, charge it right, they'll appreciate it and call you first the next time. Tell her that next time if her husband uses a caulk gun, you'll just have to kill him.

toddcla2002 · 02-21-2008, 03:14 AM

I've masked off the necessary areas and shot it with bonding primer before and it worked out ok. I don't know if it will in your situation. I noticed that Sherwin Williams now sales silicone caulk at my local store and it's mixed in with all the other caulks. It doesn't say whether or not it is or isn't paintable. I did a test and it isn't. I can't believe they don't have it labeled....sheesh. Anyways have fun wrapping it up with that client.

~todd