Hardie plank color plus comes on a pallet by using a slip sheet between each piece of siding. It does not occur allready weakened. This solved the "I do not like the colors" and "The contact up paint doesn't match" difficulties, but did nothing to the "painting over the caulk", http://elliottutpmi.fitnell.com/27745603/how-much-you-need-to-expect-you-ll-pay-for-a-good-can-you-paint-over-hardie-board