For trim you’ll paint, makers list paintable latex caulks such as DAP ALEX PLUS. Several silicones list trim as well, but none of them takes paint.
Where
Painting over it?
What to use
9 products’ makers list this place and say they take paint.
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How soon each one takes paint
| Product | Type | Water or rain | Paint |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAP 100% Silicone Window, Door & Siding | 100% silicone | Water ready in 12 hours | Not paintable |
| GE Advanced Silicone 2 Window & Door | 100% silicone | Rain ready in 30 minutes under GE’s conditions, otherwise 8 hours | Not paintable |
| GE Supreme Silicone Window & Door | 100% silicone | Water ready in 30 minutes under GE’s conditions, otherwise 8 hours | Not paintable |
| Red Devil 100% Silicone | 100% silicone | No water-ready time given, full cure in 24 hours | Not paintable |
| DAP AMP Kitchen & Bath | Hybrid sealant | Water ready in 30 minutes with a bead up to 3/16 inch | Paintable in 30 minutes with latex paint |
| DAP ALEX PLUS | Latex caulk | Water ready in 24 hours | Paintable in 30 minutes, latex or oil |
| DAP ALEX FAST DRY | Latex caulk | Water ready in 24 hours | Paintable by brush in 20 minutes |
| DAP DYNAFLEX ULTRA | Latex caulk | Rain ready in 1 hour (white and colors) | Paintable in 1 hour |
| DAP DYNAFLEX 230 | Latex caulk | Water ready in 24 hours | Paintable in 2 to 4 hours |
| DAP ALEX Painter’s | Latex caulk | Water ready in 24 hours | Paintable in 2 hours |
| GE Painter’s Pro | Latex caulk | Keep water off for 2 days | Paintable in 60 minutes with latex under GE’s conditions, otherwise 2 hours; 24 hours for oil |
| Red Devil Kitchen & Bath Siliconized | Latex caulk | Keep water off for 24 hours | Paintable in 2 hours (white and colors) or 72 hours (clear) |
| Sashco Big Stretch | Latex caulk | Give it 1 to 3 days before direct rain | Paintable in 4 hours with exterior paint, 1 to 2 days with interior paint |
Each product’s own figures, from its maker’s page or data sheet. Times depend on bead size, temperature and humidity.
The fastest on the list is DAP ALEX FAST DRY, which DAP says can be brushed over in 20 minutes; ALEX PLUS and AMP follow at 30. For interior window trim, Loctite’s window guide also points to acrylic latex.
Where silicone fits
DAP, GE and Red Devil list trim for some of their 100% silicones, but their makers say these can’t be painted. We’d use one only where the bead stays its own color.
Sealing somewhere else?
Caulk finder