How to Fill Gaps Between Wall and Baseboard

Learn how to sand and caulk baseboard molding to fill in the gaps between the wall and the baseboard.

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Filed under: Baseboard, Molding, How To

When baseboard molding fails to hug the wall like it should, fill in the gap with caulk and paint over it. Here’s how to do it:

Materials and Tools:

towel
drop cloth
scrap piece of cardboard
utility knife
caulking gun
bucket and towel
5-in-1 painter’s tool
carbide-tipped scraper
120-grit sandpaper
paintbrush
stir stick
knee pads
paint
caulk

Steps:

1. Clean the molding with a damp towel, and then sand trouble spots with 120-grit sandpaper. Hold the sandpaper so it matches the contour of the molding.

2. Scrape away thick pieces of old paint and other sizable imperfections with a carbide-tipped scraper. The scraper is designed to work on the pull stroke, so pull it toward you to shave away imperfections. Work the carbide scraper and other tools, such as the 5-in-1 painter’s tool, until the surface is smooth.

3. Vacuum up all dust and debris.

4. Fill in the gaps with a latex acrylic caulk. Dampen your finger and smooth out the caulk line.

5. Touch up the area with matching paint.