Easy guide & video for beginners! WHEN & HOW to use CAULK or WOOD FILLER on wood trim, baseboards, crown molding, and more.
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.
Some links on this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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. 🙂
Now, let’s get to that guide for where to use Caulk or Wood Filler on Wood Trim.
Table of contents
Should You Use Wood Filler or Caulk on Trim?
You’ll need to use caulk AND wood filler, or spackling, on any wood trim project.
You should use caulk to fill gaps or joints between trim pieces and/or drywall. Use wood filler, or spackling, to fill nail holes, dents, and cracks on wood trim.
Caulking and filling holes on wood trim takes time. So, don’t try to rush it.
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.
You can find the exact order I use to prep wood trim for paint below!
How Do You Fill Gaps in Wood Trim?
For wood trim, caulk should be used to fill gaps anywhere 2 surfaces meet – like, where 2 trim boards meet, where trim and a wall or ceiling meet, or where trim 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 below, 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.
How To Use Wood Filler and Caulk
Watch this short video to see a detailed explanation of how to use wood filler and caulk and where to put caulk, wood filler, or spackling using my recent Simple DIY Coffered Ceiling Design as an example.
DIY Steps for Using Wood Filler & Caulk on Trim
Here’s the quick steps for prepping wood trim for paint. Keep reading for full details about each step.
- Start by filling all nail holes and dents with wood filler or spackling.
- Let Dry.
- Sand the wood filler or spackling smooth.
- Do a second pass of wood filler or spackling where needed.
- Sand again after it dries.
- Dust away all dust.
- Caulk all joints where 2 pieces meet.
- Wipe away excess with damp rag.
- Let Dry.
- Do a second pass of caulk where needed.
- Wipe away excess with damp rag.
- Let Dry.
- Paint.
What You’ll Need
- Paintable Wood Filler
- Dap Spackling Compound
- Gator Micro Zip Sander
- Sanding Sponges
- Dap Painter’s Acrylic Latex Caulk
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. 🙂
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.
Instructions
Quick Steps
Here's the quick steps. Keep reading for full details about each step.
- Start by filling all nail holes and dents with wood filler or spackling.
- Let Dry.
- Sand the wood filler or spackling smooth.
- Do a second pass of wood filler or spackling where needed.
- Sand again after it dries.
- Dust away all dust.
- Caulk all joints where 2 pieces meet.
- Wipe away excess with damp rag.
- Let Dry.
- Do a second pass of caulk where needed.
- Wipe away excess with damp rag.
- Let Dry.
- 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.
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.