Alcove Gap

[joec1985]

I am in the process of fitting fronts to some alcove shelves. I have installed LED lights behind them and spend a long, long, long time doing this (I’m not a pro). I left a little lip so that the lights are hidden and it looks great however, on 2 of the front bits, there is a 5mm gap on either side (completely my fault). Is there a way to fix this with caulking? I would assume I would need to put a little bit of chipboard or something behind the gap? I have attached photos of the front and the rear to show you. I’d rather live with the small gap than take down and reapply the lighting tbh but I know it will annoy me. Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

You could fill most of the gap (to within a few millimetres of the surface) with a foam "bead" such as a length of Fossa Caulk Saver (or an other suitable foam, e.g. laminate underlay). Then fill the rest of the gap neatly with a coloured silicone. These are available to match RAL colours - even Amazon sell them, but they aren't cheap.

This is not the ideal solution, but done neatly should be an acceptable work around. If you aren't good at smothing silicone, get yourself a silicone finger as well. Lidl and Aldi these even cheaper from time to time

 

[joec1985]

Brilliant thanks the caulk saver idea is genius. I have lots of the paint it’s a farrow and ball downpipe so it’s pretty forgiving so is there any advantage on using a coloured caulk as opposed to just painting over the white? Thanks

 

[lostinthelight]

Coloured silicone was mentioned by JAK not caulk, most if not all silicone won’t take paint

 

[joec1985]

Yeah sorry I meant is there any advantage on using coloured silicone over painting over caulk ?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

The ability to match RAL colour and maybe a bit more elasticity - paint over caulk can crack over time, especially if you paint it then warm it through with lighting (which I think will also tend to dry it out). If your lippings are painted you might consider removing the shelves, relipping them (a bit longer this time) repainting and just caulking/siliconing the gaps between the shelves and alcove walls.

 

[joec1985]

Thanks will look into the RAL options cheers

 

[joec1985]

The ability to match RAL colour and maybe a bit more elasticity - paint over caulk can crack over time, especially if you paint it then warm it through with lighting (which I think will also tend to dry it out). If your lippings are painted you might consider removing the shelves, relipping them (a bit longer this time) repainting and just caulking/siliconing the gaps between the shelves and alcove walls.

Been searching online but can’t find a farrow and ball downpipe which is RAL 000 45 00 anywhere so looks like I will have to do down the road of painting the caulking.