Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

dave wrote:
Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early rotting.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

--

On Mar 3, 5:06*pm, dpb wrote:
dave wrote:
Hello. *I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early rotting.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

I concur.
-----

- gpsman

"dave" wrote in message
...
Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

I will differ from the other two replies and say that I would use Bondo to
fill the crack because it can be sanded smooth.

Caulk almost always leaves a dimple when it fully dries.

I'm really not sure who it right.

I definitely agree that not caulking where the rails and stiles meet is the
correct response.



--
Colbyt
Please come visit www.househomerepair.com

On 3/3/2009 2:06 PM dpb spake thus:

dave wrote:

Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early rotting.

Yes, absolutely. Was told by a skilled house painter (through a friend)
that the worst thing that you can do is to caulk the gaps between siding
boards on a wall; all it does is trap moisture *behind* the wall and
practically guarantees rot. Since this seems counterintuitive, many
people think they're protecting their house by caulking such seams.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

Or good quality painter's putty (I use Crawford's), which dries a bit
harder and doesn't shrink as much.


--
Any system of knowledge that is capable of listing films in order
of use of the word "****" is incapable of writing a good summary
and analysis of the Philippine-American War. And vice-versa.
This is an inviolable rule.

- Matthew White, referring to Wikipedia on his WikiWatch site
(http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

Colbyt wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
...
Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

I will differ from the other two replies and say that I would use Bondo to
fill the crack because it can be sanded smooth.

These are 80 y/o wood shutters...

Caulk almost always leaves a dimple when it fully dries.

I'm really not sure who it right.

I definitely agree that not caulking where the rails and stiles meet is the
correct response.



Caulking might help keep the end-grain from absorbing water, expanding
and causing paint to crack and peel. Caulk
after priming. Ends of wood clapboards are caulked for same reason.

On Mar 3, 2:58*pm, dave wrote:
Hello. *I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. *I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. *They are in pretty good shape. *I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. *Or is the paint enough? *Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. *Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? *Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Wash, bleach to kill mold, a precurser to, and cause of rot, Old oil
slow dry primer, ; [not Quick dry] and 2 coats of the best paint you
can buy, and none of it is at HD or Menards. Go to a store that has
Moore, or Sherwen Williams

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 3/3/2009 2:06 PM dpb spake thus:

dave wrote:

Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early
rotting.

How is water trapped? I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. Two coats on end grain, after primer.

Yes, absolutely. Was told by a skilled house painter (through a friend)
that the worst thing that you can do is to caulk the gaps between siding
boards on a wall; all it does is trap moisture *behind* the wall and
practically guarantees rot. Since this seems counterintuitive, many
people think they're protecting their house by caulking such seams.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

Or good quality painter's putty (I use Crawford's), which dries a bit
harder and doesn't shrink as much.


I've done a good deal of painting, but never heard of "painter's putty".
Is it same as glazing compound? As for shrinkage, caulk is flexible
(assuming one uses the right caulk) and is meant to expand and contract
while adhering.

On 3/3/2009 5:24 PM spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:

On 3/3/2009 2:06 PM dpb spake thus:

dave wrote:

Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early
rotting.

How is water trapped? I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. Two coats on end grain, after primer.

Rain. Water gets behind siding through any number of cracks, seeps and
other means. If there are gaps between boards, it eventually dries out.
If it's sealed up, the moisture stays in there and does its evil deeds.

Yes, absolutely. Was told by a skilled house painter (through a friend)
that the worst thing that you can do is to caulk the gaps between siding
boards on a wall; all it does is trap moisture *behind* the wall and
practically guarantees rot. Since this seems counterintuitive, many
people think they're protecting their house by caulking such seams.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

Or good quality painter's putty (I use Crawford's), which dries a bit
harder and doesn't shrink as much.

I've done a good deal of painting, but never heard of "painter's putty".
Is it same as glazing compound?

No, it's just what I said it was--"painter's putty", says so right on
the can. It's a thick dense compound that fills cracks well, dries hard
and adheres well. You might try some, see if you like it. (Available at
good building-supply places, not sure about big boxes like Home Despot.)


--
Any system of knowledge that is capable of listing films in order
of use of the word "****" is incapable of writing a good summary
and analysis of the Philippine-American War. And vice-versa.
This is an inviolable rule.

- Matthew White, referring to Wikipedia on his WikiWatch site
(http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

On Mar 3, 7:24*pm, "
wrote:
David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 3/3/2009 2:06 PM dpb spake thus:

dave wrote:

Hello. *I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. *I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. *They are in pretty good shape. *I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. *Or is the paint enough? *Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. *Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? *Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

Don't caulk the joints -- it will only trap water and lead to early
rotting.

How is water trapped? *I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. *Two coats on end grain, after primer.

Yes, absolutely. Was told by a skilled house painter (through a friend)
that the worst thing that you can do is to caulk the gaps between siding
boards on a wall; all it does is trap moisture *behind* the wall and
practically guarantees rot. Since this seems counterintuitive, many
people think they're protecting their house by caulking such seams.

The crack -- use a good quality painter's caulk and it should be fine.

Or good quality painter's putty (I use Crawford's), which dries a bit
harder and doesn't shrink as much.

I've done a good deal of painting, but never heard of "painter's putty".
* Is it same as glazing compound? *As for shrinkage, caulk is flexible
(assuming one uses the right caulk) and is meant to expand and contract
while adhering.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"Painters Puttey" is water base, water holding crap

On 3/3/2009 6:00 PM ransley spake thus:

"Painters Puttey" is water base, water holding crap

My stuff (Crawford's) is oil-based, and not crap.

You, on the other hand, are a ****ing idiot.


--
Any system of knowledge that is capable of listing films in order
of use of the word "****" is incapable of writing a good summary
and analysis of the Philippine-American War. And vice-versa.
This is an inviolable rule.

- Matthew White, referring to Wikipedia on his WikiWatch site
(http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

wrote:
....
How is water trapped? I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. Two coats on end grain, after primer.
....

Water _WILL_ get in the joints -- and then the caulk will serve more to
prevent it from getting out and drying out quickly than it will to
actually prevent all moisture from ever getting in.

--

dave wrote in news:40a38a82-e460-4a69-8c84-
:

Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.


A somewhat related piece of info I've learned from personal experience. If
there is no roof overhang above the shutter, somehow flash or cap the top
of the shutter or it will rot big time.

Are they the ones where the shutter fins actually move up and down using a
wooden piece in the middle:-)

On Mar 4, 12:35*am, Red Green wrote:
dave wrote in news:40a38a82-e460-4a69-8c84-
:

Hello. *I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. *I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. *They are in pretty good shape. *I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. *Or is the paint enough? *Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. *Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? *Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.

A somewhat related piece of info I've learned from personal experience. If
there is no roof overhang above the shutter, somehow flash or cap the top
of the shutter or it will rot big time.

Are they the ones where the shutter fins actually move up and down using a
wooden piece in the middle:-)

Thanks for all the replies. They are all very helpful. I'm glad I
asked or I would have caused myself grief down the road. These are
"working" shutters. I use the quotes because years of paint prevent
anything from moving on them. I had looked at having them stripped
once and I was laughed out of the place. The person I spoke with said
he could strip a dining room set in the same amount of time. Thanks
again for all the input.

dpb wrote:
wrote:
...
How is water trapped? I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. Two coats on end grain, after primer.
...

Water _WILL_ get in the joints -- and then the caulk will serve more to
prevent it from getting out and drying out quickly than it will to
actually prevent all moisture from ever getting in.

--

The rotten wood I have seen either wasn't painted properly to begin with
or hasn't been maintained properly. I will still argue that protecting
with caulk, and properly primed and painted, keeps water out. When you
look at damaged exterior wood on a house, it is pretty easy to figure
out the cause.

Putting hard material between pieces that expand and contract seems to
guarantee it will crack and let water in. Spacers behind shutters would
allow more air circ. and water run-off, it seems.

In article ,
" wrote:

dpb wrote:
wrote:
...
How is water trapped? I don't understand the logic .. paint when the
weather and the wood are dry. Two coats on end grain, after primer.
...

Water _WILL_ get in the joints -- and then the caulk will serve more to
prevent it from getting out and drying out quickly than it will to
actually prevent all moisture from ever getting in.

--

The rotten wood I have seen either wasn't painted properly to begin with
or hasn't been maintained properly. I will still argue that protecting
with caulk, and properly primed and painted, keeps water out.

I don't think you're going to get too many people lining up on your side
of the fence on this one, amiga. The fact that you've seen rotten siding
that wasn't caulked in no way validates your approach. I wouldn't go so
far as to suggest you remove the caulking from your house, but I
certainly wouldn't advocate it for others.

On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 12:58:45 -0800 (PST), dave
wrote:

Hello. I am in the process of painting some 80 year old wooden
shutters that have been off my house for 10 years. I have scrapped,
wire brushed and washed them. They are in pretty good shape. I am
wondering if the paint job will last longer if I caulk the joints
where the rails and stiles meet. Or is the paint enough? Also these
shutters have the panel with a cresent moon cut out. One panel has a
crack about 1/8 inch wide. Is there a way to fill a crack like that?
Will wood filler just fall out over time? Thanks in advance for any
thoughts.


Not sure what caulking the joints will do, if anything. Apply a
quality primer and finish coat. You can fill the crack with glazing
compound, either before or after the primer.