I recently tackled my first crown molding project in our bathroom as part of a renovation. My wife is pregnant, and we wanted to refresh the space with new wallpaper. I figured it'd be simple to just renovate the whole tiny bathroom myself. After installing the molding, I caulked with DAP Alex Plus, and it actually turned out pretty well. However, while I was painting, I noticed small particles showing up in the paint, especially in the corners where I applied the caulk. I suspect this might be due to the caulking flaking off, but DAP's website says it's ready for painting in 30 minutes. I plan to sand the molding down with some 220 grit and start over, but I really want to know where these particles are coming from to prevent this issue in the future!
3 Answers
Did you use a primer before painting? A good primer, like Zinnser or Kilz, can really help. There might be contamination from something, like aerosols or cleaners. If it's an issue, try cleaning the surfaces with a TSP solution before painting. A primer would set a good foundation too.
What kind of particles are you seeing? Sometimes a brush can leave behind bits if it wasn't cleaned well. Good caulk shouldn't flake, but maybe sawdust could be the culprit if it wasn't properly cleaned after installation.
I used DAP Alex Plus for the caulk and cleaned the joints with a rag afterward. The brush was new, so that shouldn't be a problem. My dad thinks it could be the caulk flaking, which is super frustrating!
Have you considered how old your paint is and where you've stored it? Sometimes new paint can still have issues if not stored properly before use.
The paint is brand new and was only in my garage for a couple of days!
The molding came pre-primed from Lowe's, so I thought it was all set!