Dunlop Caulk Review – a Decorators’ Opinion

Dunlop Caulk is a high-performance filler, available online by clicking here, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It is perfect for filling gaps in skirting boards, architraves, around windows, or other areas of trim.

You can paint over Dunlop Caulk after an hour, which is a pretty good turnaround time. Expect to pay around £6 for a 310ml tube (roughly half the size of some competing products).

My Dunlop Caulk Review

As a decorator, I have used many different caulks over the years. I know it is not the sexiest product in the world, but performance differs greatly from brand to brand, so it is worth having a little insight.

Dunlop Caulk is the most expensive caulk I have ever used, so I am going to be very critical in this review. Although it is expensive, decorators do hold Dunlop Caulk in high regard, so it must be worth it, right?

The reason decorators hold Dunlop Caulk in high regard is that paint does not craze or discolour over the top of it. You can apply a thick bead of Dunlop Caulk, wait an hour, then paint over it with contract matt and still avoid issues. It is quite impressive, to be honest.

There is a drawback, though. I do not like using Dunlop Caulk. It feels too thin and slightly sticky, which makes it messy to use. You will need to keep a wet cloth handy so you can keep your finger clean. Dunlop Caulk is also difficult to shape into corners. It is just a faff, to be honest.

I cannot really claim Dunlop Caulk is not a quality caulk, because it is. I just cannot justify the price, especially when it is a headache to use. It is almost twice the price of HB42 or Red Devil, and you get half the amount. For me, Dunlop Caulk does not justify its price tag. Click here to see current prices.

Review Summary

FAQs

Why does decorators’ caulk go yellow?

Decorators’ caulk is designed to be painted and will not withstand prolonged exposure to UV light. So, if you do not paint caulk, it will start to look grubby after a few weeks.

Can you paint over caulk with emulsion?

You can paint over caulk with emulsion, provided you use a good-quality caulk and a relatively flexible emulsion. Otherwise, the emulsion may crack.

Should you caulk between a wall and a ceiling?

You can apply a thin bead of caulk between a wall and a ceiling. This can help to hide imperfections and create a sharper line.

Should you caulk the bottom of skirting?

Ideally, you would leave a small expansion gap between the skirting and a hard floor, but I understand that this does not always look tidy. If you are going to seal it, wait until the painting is complete and then use silicone. You will need to remove the silicone before painting again in the future.

Can I use caulk to stick skirting boards?

Not really. There are certain hybrid polymers on the market that can be used as both a caulk and an adhesive, but standard decorators’ caulk is not suitable for the job.