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What to fill nail holes in trim, before painting?

Linda
5 years ago

Getting ready to prime and paint the trim in our new home. There are so many products out there for filling the nail holes, everyone claims their product is best~ What really is the best product to use? The trim is pine and it will be painted~

Comments (17)

  • armchairshopper
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I have used several different ones. My favorite is Alex Painters Caulk, made by Dap and sold at the big box stores. You dispense it from a caulking gun, so it works great on nailholes, but also on cut edges and along the edges of baseboard to even them out and fill gaps.

    I tried the stuff that comes in a can and starts out pink and changes to white. I found it to be more expensive, and a lower quality finish due to graininess.

    Linda thanked armchairshopper
  • PRO
    Patricia Colwell Consulting
    5 years ago

    I always like Dap products.

    Linda thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • Bruce in Northern Virginia
    5 years ago

    Use painter's caulk, and use a slightly wet finger to smooth it out after you fill in the holes. You want it to be completely smooth and level, with no "tails" of caulk residue or bulges. Its better to go lighter than to overfill. It doesn't take long to get the technique down and make it level with the wood.

    I have mostly used DAP products, since they have such a variety in stock at HD.

    Bruce

    Linda thanked Bruce in Northern Virginia
  • Linda
    Original Author
    5 years ago

    Thank you for your quick responses! Will check out Dap~

  • handymac
    5 years ago

    Wood fillers shrink. Yes, I know the labels say the products 'resist' shrinking, but resisted shrinking still makes a small divot. Painters caulk is pretty good, the gotcha is how it is applied.

    I'd rather just use drywall mud. I use what is called 'hot' mud(dries in 20-30 minutes) and a hand drywall sanding block.

    It is more work, but completely hides holes/divots/etc.

  • greg_2015
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I think wood filler is the best for an amateur. You overfill a bit and sand it off smooth when it drys.
    Don't try to get it smooth on application in order to avoid sanding or you'll get the divots as HandyMac said.

    Doing it with caulk (ie. no sanding) means that you have to get it perfect on application. For an experienced person, it may be the quickest way but for an amateur you'll probably just make a mess. I speak from experience. I tried caulk once on the nail holes and it turned out horrible. :)

  • Joe T.
    5 years ago

    Painting it? Dap painter's caulk. And if you're doing a lot of trim, don't buy a cheap caulk gun—they're uncomfortable to use.

  • sloyder
    5 years ago

    Handymac: Mine has not shrunk in 10 years on my clear maple trim..

  • ci_lantro
    5 years ago

    Dap Drydex is my current go-to. Have tried the painters caulk and could never get it to fill to my satisfaction.

    Linda thanked ci_lantro
  • kudzu9
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I limit caulk use to cracks where, say, the baseboards butt against the wall. I've caulked for many years and know from first hand experience that caulk for nail holes will not be perfectly flush with the nail hole, can't be sanded away without leaving it slightly roughed up, and may leave a slight bit of residue around the nail hole. I wouldn't do this with all my years of caulking, and I suspect that you are not as experienced as I am. If you are ok with an imperfect surface where you can see the nail holes, especially with glossy or semi-gloss paint, then use caulk as it will be easier. However, if you want an unblemished surface, you'll use a latex wood filler, overfill the hole, and sand it flat with the surrounding surface. Any major brand of wood filler is fine (I prefer Minwax), but if you're worried about what will be best, the quality difference will be in using a wood filler instead of a caulk...not what brand of wood filler you choose.

  • PRO
    Patricia Colwell Consulting
    5 years ago

    Just as an aside make sure you are using the proper primer for the wood you have .

  • Lyndee Lee
    5 years ago
    My favorite is Redi-Patch which is a quick drying oil based filler which can be sanded as necessary.
  • jon1003
    5 years ago

    Alex is shrinking crap and I will never buy it again. Check out pro painters chennels on youtube who recommend spackling products by sherwin williams or other non-shrink spackling. If you want perfect finish after sanding you need to go over it again with spackle, sand. The youtube videos are great for showing the process.

  • PRO
    Lehman Design Studio
    5 years ago

    Paintguy22 has your back. Follow those instructions. Using Caulk to fill nail holes is like putting bar b que sauce on your ice cream. Yes, bbq sauce is good and ice cream is good but why would you put bbq sauce on ice cream?


  • Joe T.
    5 years ago

    Because it's bacon-flavored ice cream?

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