Do you use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim?

Here’s the quick guide for where to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim in your home.

Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim

Hi guys! I don’t know about you, but I love crown molding, wood paneling, wainscoting, basically any and all wood trim.

It looks beautiful and adds so much charm and character to a room. I’m always adding more to my home.

If you’re new to DIY wood trim, here’s the quick guide for where to use caulk or wood filler on wood trim in your home.

AND, if you need some wood trim design ideas. I have some tutorials you should check out.

Like, this Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design, this DIY Plywood Plank Ceiling, this DIY Picture Frame Wainscoting, or this beautiful DIY Board and Batten Wainscoting.

This DIY Wood Board Porch Ceiling Makeover is another one of my favorite updates. 🙂

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for DIY project sneak peeks and quick how-to videos. Now, let’s get to that guide for where to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim.

Here’s What I Like to Use on Wood Trim

• Paintable Wood Filler
• Dap Spackling Compound
• Gator Micro Zip Sander
• Sanding Sponges
• Dap Painter’s Acrylic Latex Caulk

Watch this short video to see a detailed explanation of where to put caulk, wood filler, or spackling using my recent Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design as an example.

Quick DIY Steps

Here’s the quick steps for prepping wood trim for paint. Keep reading for full details about each step.

1. Start by filling all nail holes and dents with wood filler or spackling.
2. Let Dry.
3. Sand the wood filler or spackling smooth.
4. Do a second pass of wood filler or spackling where needed.
5. Sand again after it dries.
6. Dust away all dust.
7. Caulk all joints where 2 pieces meet.
8. Wipe away excess with damp rag.
9. Let Dry.
10. Do a second pass of caulk where needed.
11. Wipe away excess with damp rag.
12. Let Dry.
13. Paint.

Is it better to use wood filler or caulk?

Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim? Actually, you need to use both.

Caulk and wood filler, or spackling, have different jobs when it comes to getting a professional finish on wood trim.

Luckily, almost anyone can get that professional finish. You just need to know which goes where AND have a good eye for details.

Caulking and filling holes on wood trim takes time. So, don’t try to rush it. Let’s talk about wood filler first.

What is the best product to fill nail holes in trim?

For wood trim, wood filler or spackling should be used to patch nail holes, dents, damage, or cracks on a single board or piece of molding.

I prefer spackling over wood filler because it sands smooth quickly and with less effort than wood filler. But, both work.

I highly recommend using your wood filler, or spackling, before caulk.

Apply the filler everywhere you need it and let it dry completely. Then come back and sand it smooth.

I like to use sanding sponges or this little gator zip sander to sand flat areas smooth.

When everything is sanded, wipe away the dust before moving onto caulk.

How do you fill gaps in wood trim?

For wood trim, caulk should be used anywhere 2 surfaces meet – like, where 2 boards meet, where boards and a wall or ceiling meet, or where boards and molding meets.

Caulk can start drying pretty fast, so work in small sections.

And, always be sure to wipe away excess caulk before it dries. Caulk cannot be sanded or easily removed, once dry.

Apply a thin bead of caulk along any gaps, so you have less excess to wipe away.

Wipe that bead of caulk into the gap. Apply more where needed to fill the gap.

Like I mention in the video, there are a few ways to wipe away excess caulk.

The caulk I use recommends a damp sponge, but on textured surfaces sponges can leave little bits of sponge in your caulk. That’s no good.

I get a better result using a damp rag. Other people like to use dry paper towels. None of these are wrong.

Pick the technique that you feel most comfortable with to get the best looking finish.

Well, that’s it for this guide for where to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim.

If you love home improvement projects as much as I do, check out these DIY Home Improvement videos here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂

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You might also like this Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design makeover.

Or this beautiful DIY Board and Batten Wall tutorial.

Here’s a DIY Vaulted Ceiling Makeover I absolutely love!

Check out How to Removed Glued Wood Flooring on Concrete.

And, here are 7 before and after examples of how using a light paint color on walls has brightened every room in my house.

That’s it for where to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.