How To - Caulk & Touch-up DiamondKote Prefinished LP Smartside Siding

This is a standard procedure for us when installing Smartside, especially when its prefinished. DiamondKote is a wonderful product and we love to use it. But this siding needs really good sealant. LP even specifies the type of sealant required for warranty. We prefer Big Stretch from Sashco. Its really been our go to sealant for many years. In this video i will show you several methods we use to efficiently caulk and touch-up LP Smartside prefinished by DiamondKote. Enjoy.
Instagram: / miillersconstruction
Also if you are a trades professional and would like to try Sashco Products for free, click the link for a free sample kit - www.sashco.com/miillers-const...
#carpenter
#sashco
#bigstretch
#caulk
#caulking
#sealant
#diamondkote
#siding
#lpsmartside
#prefinishedsiding
#exterior
#carpentry

[@erikgjording3684]

Shoutout to one of the best huckleberries I’ve seen. You’ve clearly worked together for some time but I’d give anything to have help like that!

[@miillersconstruction]

Lol!!! We've been working together for 19 years full time and several summers before the full time.

[@2chipped]

Pressure creates character, and also makes caulking stick. Love Sashco and tape cutter! Also running the putty knife across the joint, transfers jusr a little graining in the caulk!

[@miillersconstruction]

That's right chip!

[@quissum6418]

Hey great video and just in time for my install. Great tip on the taped putty knife, too. Thanks!

[@miillersconstruction]

It works wonderfully! Glad you enjoyed!

[@AE-sq4nk]

I also had an issue with Diamond Kote touch-up paint not matching but they sent a replacement bottle that matched asap.

[@miillersconstruction]

@@AE-sq4nk I found out that we were putting too much paint on. Only paint what isn't painted!

[@dburghardt09]

Beautiful Board & Batten. Did you caulk the seams where the Batten meets the board? Not sure if that is necessary for "warranty"?

[@miillersconstruction]

No. They do not require those joints to be caulked. They actually address that question in the warranty specs because so many ask it. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@renaeo10]

Pretty siding and great job. What color is the siding?

[@miillersconstruction]

@@renaeo10 Midnight. The nice thing about Diamond Kote, 30 year no fade.

[@manifestmetalroofing]

Wondering if you’ve tried using Diamondkote’s touch-up pen or a cotton swab to hit those nail heads and eliminate any flashing from variance in the colormatch accuracy? I’m getting ready to install Diamondkote for the first time on our new house, and the thought of those blemishes all over the wall is going to send my OCD through the roof! 😅

[@miillersconstruction]

Yes. Both work well. Just remember this - DON'T PAINT ANYTHING THAT'S ALREADY PAINTED! That's the rule of thumb. As long as you don't paint over paint, you'll never see a thing

[@manifestmetalroofing]

@@miillersconstruction Copy! Thank you!

[@jrm2928]

What color colors were used here?

[@miillersconstruction]

Midnight Blue from Diamond Kote and their standard White color.

[@natureflixs1]

I am leery of any siding that swells to close joints. LP burned me in the early 90s with its composite lap siding that rotted on my house. It was the biggest class action lawsuit in those days. Burn me once but not twice. I am done with LP.

[@miillersconstruction]

@@natureflixs1 thanks for checking out the video 👍

[@hamiltonsledge7151]

For anyone using this as a guide, that caulk should never be left unpainted. Caulk is not a finish, it will break down within a year or two and start to collect dirt. Painting over the top would have been a very good investment just a protip. Otherwise good guide.

[@miillersconstruction]

Collecting dirt is not a sign of the sealant breaking down. I suggest you contact Sashco on the reason it collects dirt if left unpainted. Also I can't paint fresh sealant. Big stretch needs to dry a while before I can paint it, that's why it wasn't filmed.

[@cooper8318]

@@miillersconstruction You do recommend painting the caulk though?

[@miillersconstruction]

@@cooper8318 if it gets dirty, yes.