If you’re a DIYer, then you know that the best way to solve a problem is to do it yourself. But let’s be real: sometimes things don’t go as planned.
If your baseboards are damaged and need repair, there’s no reason you can’t fix them yourself with wood filler! This short guide will show you how easy it is for even a novice homeowner to nail down small projects like this one.
How do you fill in baseboard dents?
If you want to fill in the dents and get rid of the old paint, there are a few steps. First, use a putty knife to scrape off the old paint with as little damage as possible to the baseboard.
Next, use wood filler or wood putty and apply it over the dent using a paintbrush. Finally, let it dry completely before painting over it with your color choice!
Table of Contents
- How do you fill in baseboard dents?
- How do you fill gaps in baseboard trim?
- Can you fix chipped baseboards?
- How do you fix water damaged baseboards?
- What’s the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
- How do you fill in dents in wood trim?
- How do you hide the gap between baseboard and floor?
- How do you use wood filler for large gaps?
How do you fill gaps in baseboard trim?
To fill gaps between the baseboard trim, you’ll need a putty knife and wood filler. Start by using the putty knife to remove any excess glue from your gap.
Then, use it to fill in the gap with wood filler until it reaches just below the surface of the baseboard. Once you’ve filled in your entire gap, use your putty knife to smooth out any uneven spots or bumps on top of your fill so that it’s flat with no visible signs of repair work.
Once you have finished filling all of your gaps and smoothing over them with a putty knife, go back over them again with sandpaper—you don’t need anything too rough since this will just be for clean-up purposes at this point (for example, if some bits stick up higher than others).
You can use whatever grit works well for what kind of project you’re working on—for instance, 120 grit would probably work best here because 120 means medium/fine sandpaper that’s good for getting into tight spaces where sawdust can get lodged once sawing is done; but if there were no sawing involved then perhaps 100 grit would suffice instead?
Can you fix chipped baseboards?
Once you’ve determined that your baseboards are indeed damaged, there are a few things you can do to fix them.
- Wood putty is a good option for filling in small chips or cracks. It’s easy to use and dries fast, so it’s ideal if you’re working on a project with a deadline. Just make sure that the wood putty matches your baseboard color as closely as possible! If not, the patched area will stand out too much from the rest of your wall.
- Wood filler is another option for patching up minor damages—it comes in both solid and putty form and can be applied with just about any paintbrush (you could even use one of those cheap dollar store brushes!). This type of filler provides better coverage than wood putty but takes longer to dry completely because it contains sawdust particles that expand while drying out. You’ll want to let this type of filler cure overnight before painting over with primer or paint so it doesn’t fall off when you apply coats later on down the line!
How do you fix water damaged baseboards?
If your baseboard is damaged by water, you can use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess water and let it dry out.
Once that’s done, use wood filler to fill in the gaps and then sand down the area once more with fine-grain sandpaper.
If your baseboard is too badly damaged and needs to be replaced, use a heat gun to remove it before cutting new boards to size and installing them in their place.
What’s the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
Wood putty is a bit more malleable, so it works well for smaller gaps (like dents) and can be easily molded into the shape of a larger gap.
Wood filler is a little more rigid and will resist molding into the shape of your baseboard; instead, it has a tendency to crack as you attempt to fill in larger gaps.
That being said, both are effective at filling in holes and giving your baseboards an overall smoother look.
How do you fill in dents in wood trim?
- Use a putty knife to apply the filler.
- Use a small brush to smooth the filler.
- Sand the filler if needed.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe off the excess filler.
How do you hide the gap between baseboard and floor?
To fill the gap, use a putty knife to spread a thin layer of wood filler over the baseboard. Then smooth out the surface with a wet sponge until it is flat.
Use your fingernails or another straight edge to scrape off any excess filler and give it an even surface.
If you have not yet done so, sand down the surrounding drywall or wallboard to get rid of bumps or ridges that may interfere with your project’s finish.
How do you use wood filler for large gaps?
You can also use wood filler for large gaps, such as the spaces between your baseboard and floor. If you have a big hole in your baseboard, you can fill it with wood putty and then sand it down to make the surface smooth again.
Wood putty is particularly useful when repairing dents or dings in your baseboards. When you sand down dings and dents, you want to make sure that all of the loose bits get removed so they don’t stand out when you finish sanding (and then paint) them!
Conclusion
We hope you feel empowered to tackle your next baseboard repair! The key thing is to use the right product for the job—and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
We love helping homeowners like you make their homes feel like home again.