How to Paint and Caulk Board and Batten
It is getting there – the bathroom that I am redoing. Only one coat of paint so far, but it looks transformed. No more purple! What a huge difference. I am starting to see the fruits of my labor.
Remember the purple?
No more. It is now tan and white – lots of beautiful white!
It was a rainy dark day here today, so my photos are not the best. I applied one coat of Valspar Bistro White in semi-gloss to the board and batten and let it dry I then began to caulk, caulk, and I caulked some more.
When installing a board and batten treatment on walls – you are bound to find plenty of joint gaps after you add one coat of paint. Caulk is your best friend. It seals all the gaps. When you use Alex Plus Easy Caulk by Dap the process is even easier.
If you have ever pressed Kraft Easy Cheese on a cracker or two, then you will be a pro caulker with Alex Plus Easy Caulk.
Just don’t eat it!
It is my favorite caulk. I use it for everything! There is no waste or clumsy caulk gun needed.
This is not a sponsored post, only one of my favorite products that I want to share with you. I buy it at Walmart.
Take the cap off and cut the tip off and you are ready to go. When you are finished, just replace the cap to store it for use on a future project.
I applied it here…
and here…
Keep a bowl of ice water nearby when caulking. Frequently dip your index finger in the water and run the tip of your finger over just applied caulk to smooth. You can also run an ice cube along the line of caulk to smooth into the joint or gap. When caulk gets into the grooves of bead board – wipe it away with the dry tip of a small pointy paint brush – the kind in a kid’s watercolor set.
One coat of paint and all joints caulked – done! One more coat of paint and then it is time to add some personality and color.
I chose the color tan for the top section of the wall to match the fiberglass tub surround. Since I could not change the color – I embraced it and am making it part of the color scheme. I mixed a bunch of leftover paint to come up with the color, so it is one of a kind.
I do have a plan for the floor – it is a staging trick that I will show you next week. I would dearly love to lay tumbled tile on the floor, but there is no budget for that. When hubs gets re-employed or I win the lottery – then I may add it. Right now it is not happening. I have to improvise.
Just found your blog. Um. . .LOVE IT. Seriously. Thanks for sharing all your fab tips, tricks and ideas! :)
Really great tips…and what an improvement!! It looks beautiful.
xo
WOW! Fantastic! And those are some great tips, too- thanks!
I knew you’d help me!
That’s for the great tutorial,
(as easy as Kraft Easy Cheese spread, you’re a hoot!)
Fabulous! This is something I’ve wanted to try but after doing some wainscotting I’m hesitant because that was kind of a nighmare. I hope this will be easier than that was! This turned out great, I just love it.
Please come by and show this off at my VIP party today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/vip-party-21.html
Thanks for these tips! They are very timely as I’m preparing to do this treatment in a bathroom.
Love it – It looks so great!
That’s the caulk I used on my new stairs – works like a charm!
Looks Amazing! I really like the molding and trim around the window.
wow…I have been watching your progress over the past week…what a fantastic update!
~pam
pamspaintparlor.typepad.com
Great tips and fantastic job! Looks incredible.
wow, caulk is pretty amazing. and your bathroom rocks!
Beautiful job! The bathroom looks great! …..and the view from the entry?…….
Hi Marie-
Thanks – It always has bothered me that you can so clearly see into this bathroom from the foyer. When my girls were growing up, it was not always the neatest room in the house. Now it is going to look much better.
Your bathroom looks great! This kind of treatment would look so good on my “in need of serious rehab” half bath. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Candace-
It took me a long time to finally take the plunge and redo this bathroom. I figured if we have to move I would have to update the bathroom to sell the house, so I might as well get it done! I have taken my time since it is an unused bathroom. I have had all my work stuff piled in there for the past two months. It is kind of nice not having to rush to get it done. My youngest is coming home in August, she is excited to be the first one to use it.
That is so exciting that you went ahead and took the plunge so that you could enjoy it before you move instead of just having someone else enjoy the beautiful bathroom. I know your daughter is going to enjoy it so much. It’s beautiful! My husband and I decided when we sold our home last year that never again would we just do a remodel in order to sell a home. We were so pleased with the few minor changes in our home that we wished that we could have enjoyed them while we were living there. Great job, again, on this bathroom! I’ve pinned this on Pinterest so that I will have a visual when we get ready to do our half bath. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this how-to. Bathroom looks great. Hopped over via Megan Brooke Handmade – great projects there, too. New follower!
Ooooh that’s a good tip for the caulking/ice cube thing! Your bathroom looks amazing! I don’t mind the flooring, but I’m interested to see what you’re planning…..
Diane, thanks so much for the caulking tip. That is the caulking that I use and love but I have never seen it in the cheese wiz type container. Since I too am in the middle of a bathroom remodel with lots of gaps to caulk I will be off to Walmart to get this caulking.
If you have a chance please stop by and check out my bath redo.
Traci
Hi Traci –
It is the best caulk – you are going to love it. If your joints are small – just cut the tip a teeny bit, if you have big gaps – cut off a bigger section of the tip. Looking forward to seeing your bath.
Wow Diane, it turned out great! Caulking is like makeup isn’t it? Covers a multitude of sins! Looking forward to the rest.
Kim:)
Hi Kim-
Caulk is a DIYer’s best friend. I am no pro when it comes to working with wood molding. Caulk hides all my mistakes – especially when it comes to crown molding joints. :)
Fabulous!!! It looks great and good tips too!
I knew about the water/ice cube trick but so glad you posted it. It sure is a handy tip! I’m curious as to what you’ll do with the floor. I sorta like it in a way…that is if it’s not cracked or ripped. If not, and on a tight budget, I’d just paint out the little dark colored diamonds and leave the rest! I’ve painted our entire kitchen and bathroom floor and it holds up very well…not to mention tons and tons cheaper than any other fix-it…until we win the same lottery you do :-) Can’t wait to see your finished bathroom! Great so far!
Thanks Connie-
The floor is as old as the house 18 years and still in very good shape – nice and shiny. The “in” colors back then were white and dark green with oak. My kitchen had the same colors. Fast forward to today – those little green squares are the last bit of decor left from that era in my house. I am going to just disguise the dark green squares with a paint technique I learned when I worked in display. I keep hoping to win the lottery someday.
It’s looks great! And I am amazed at the difference the caulking makes! Thanks for the tip on that. :-)
Ahh, you are a day or two ahead of me. Still installing the moulding today in my sons’ bathroom. Thank you so much letting us know about that caulk! That does look easy. Will have to pick some up tomorrow.
Hi Brittany-
The caulking takes some time, but boy does it make a difference in how the board and batten looks. My hand is a bit stiff today from all the painting and caulking I did yesterday. One nice thing about painting and caulking board and batten – it is low so you don’t have to be going up and down a ladder 100 times. Looking forward to seeing your sons bathroom.
That looks so great! and what a smart idea to make your color go with the surround!