How to Sand Baseboard Molding
Trim carpentry is the perfect way to upgrade a room from average to fantastic. Replacing standard 2 1/2 inch baseboards with a wider, more ornate baseboard is the best way to accent attractive flooring such as hardwoods or decorative tile. In order to get a perfect finish on your baseboard molding, you must prepare the baseboard molding properly before painting or staining. Sanding baseboard molding is the most important step in preparing molding for painting or staining. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Soft cloth
- Wood putty
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Sanding block or orbital sander (optional)
Instructions
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1
Wipe the molding with a soft cloth to remove dust.
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2
Fill cracks, holes and dings in the molding with wood putty. Allow the wood putty to dry completely.
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3
Sand the molding by hand with fine grit sandpaper. You can use a sanding block, or if you have a steady hand and wide, flat baseboards, you can use an orbital sander. Do not use an orbital sander to sand the edges. Sand the edges by hand to avoid sanding off the edge or creating uneven edges. Pay particular attention to the areas with wood putty, and make sure they are smooth with the rest of the molding.
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4
Wipe the molding with a soft cloth to remove the sanding dust.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For an ultra-smooth finish, sand the baseboard molding by hand with fine grit sandpaper after priming and after the first coat of paint.
Wear a mask while sanding to avoid breathing sanding dust.
