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Caulk or spackle?

3K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  Steve Neul  
#1 ·
When installing crown moulding can I use spackle to hide the seams or is caulking preferable?
 
#4 ·
Are you mitering or coping the corners? If yer coping then cut the lengths a tad long so when the ends of the crown are set in place the middle is away from the wall a couple of inches. When you push it against the wall it will tighten up the corners and you shouldn't need any caulk.

If you miter the corners an they aren't square to begin with no amount of caulk will make them look right.

Call and paint make it what it ain't.
 
#5 · (Edited)
All of the above is correct. It just depends on what you are filling. If you have a defect that is well supported like a ding or gouge, then spackle will work well. And, it is easy to sand smooth after it dries. If there is a possibility of movement like with two adjoining pieces that are nailed in place, then caulk is usually best. Spackle will crack and fall out under movement. However, as mentioned above, caulk won't easily fill deep or wide defects.