Alexei Volkov
Plastic crown molding is a budget-friendly way to enhance the appearance of your home. It is a simple process that can be done without a nail gun, using nails and a hammer or a screwdriver and screws. Before beginning the installation, it is important to measure the room's perimeter and cut the baseboard trim to size. The next step is to mark the position of the wall studs with a stud finder and masking tape. Then, nail or screw the nailer strips around the room's perimeter. After this, you can proceed to install the crown molding, butting its backside against the strip and nailing it in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Hammer, nails, screwdriver, screws, pneumatic stapler, knife, stud finder, sandpaper, wood glue, wood putty, crayon, nail gun, saw, brad nailer |
| Installation steps | Cut the current baseboard, measure the room's perimeter, cut the baseboard trim to size, use a stud finder or knock test to identify wall studs, insert nails at a steep angle, fill holes with glue, sand for a smooth finish, trim any leftover pieces, fill gaps with wood putty |
| Tips | Use finishing nails for plastic molding, use two nails for baseboards 5 inches or less, use three nails per stud for larger baseboards, use a nail set to help insert nails into the wall, use spackling paste to fill nail holes, use crayon to fill holes in plastic molding, use a nail gun for speed and efficiency, pre-drill holes if nailing by hand |
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What You'll Learn
Use a stud finder to locate wall studs
To nail into plastic molding, you'll need to locate the wall studs. The best tool for this is a stud finder. Here's how to use a stud finder to locate wall studs:
First, determine how high on the wall you want to begin looking for a stud. This will depend on the installation height of the fastener(s) you use to secure the object you're hanging. Calibrate the stud finder if necessary. Typically, you calibrate the device by positioning it on the wall where there's no stud and activating it. The stud finder will indicate if it's calibrated or if you need to reposition and try again.
Next, hold the stud finder flat against the wall at the installation height of the fastener. Move the stud finder slowly and horizontally to the left or right. An edge-finding model will signal when it senses the end of open space behind the wall and the edge of a dense object, such as a stud. Mark the location with short strips of tape or a pencil.
Once you've found one stud, you can locate the others. Wall studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart, but in some cases, they may be 24 inches apart, especially if your walls are thicker than average. So, from your starting point, measure 16 or 24 inches to find the next stud. You can also use a window as a reference point, as windows usually have a stud on each side. However, depending on the trim, it may be tricky to approximate the stud's edge.
If you don't have a stud finder, there are other ways to locate wall studs. Electrical boxes are typically attached to studs, so you can locate the nearest power outlet and measure 16 inches from there. You can also gently knock or tap the wall to listen for hollow and solid sounds, indicating empty space or a stud, respectively.
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Secure the molding with finishing nails and a hammer
To secure plastic crown molding with finishing nails and a hammer, you will need to first mark the position of the wall studs using a stud finder and short strips of masking tape. Then, you can begin the process of nailing the molding in place. It is recommended to use a smooth-faced hammer to avoid damaging the wood. To avoid denting the molding, use a nail set to hammer the nails in at a steep angle without hammering them all the way in. Finish the job by hammering the nails the rest of the way in with the nail set. You can also pre-drill the trim to make it easier for the nails to go in and to protect the wood from splits.
When using a hammer and nails, it is important to be confident and take a few solid whacks to hammer in the nails. This will reduce the likelihood of missing and denting the molding. It is also recommended to angle the nails slightly downward to make hammering easier.
After hammering in the nails, you can fill the holes with glue and use sandpaper to smooth it out once it dries. Applying wood glue to the outside corners can also help strengthen the binding. Trim any leftover pieces and use sandpaper to remove any rough edges. Finally, fill any remaining holes with wood putty, and your molding will be ready for painting.
While using a hammer and nails is a popular option for installing molding, there are alternative methods such as using screws and a screwdriver or a pneumatic stapler, which uses pressurized air to drive staples into the molding.
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Use a nail set to hammer nails at a steep angle
When installing baseboard molding, it is important to secure the molding to the wall at the studs. You can use a wall stud finder or perform a knock test to identify the empty spaces between the studs. Once you've located the studs, insert two finishing nails into each stud at the base of the baseboard.
Now, for the steep angle nailing technique: use a nail set and a hammer to drive the nails into the studs at a steep angle. This method helps to ensure that the nails are less likely to split the wood. It is important to wear eye protection when hammering nails, as bits of nail, wood, or other debris can fly towards your face.
To further reduce the risk of splitting the wood, you can try flattening the nail head by lightly tapping the nail tip with a hammer before inserting it into the wood. This technique blunts the nail tip, allowing it to sever the wood fibers rather than bend them. Another method is to create a small indentation in the wood by placing the edge of the nail head where you want to drive it in and tapping the other side with a hammer. Then, right the nail and drive it into the indentation.
Additionally, you can pre-drill pilot holes in the wood using a drill bit with a slightly smaller diameter than the nails you will be using. This technique also helps to prevent wood splitting and makes driving nails easier, especially in dense hardwoods. However, both the blunted nail tip and pilot hole methods will slightly reduce the holding power of the nails, so they may not be suitable for applications that require maximum strength.
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Fill nail holes with glue or spackling paste
Filling nail holes with glue or spackling paste is a straightforward process. Firstly, purchase spackling paste from your local hardware store, or alternatively, use everyday items like craft glue, bar soap, or toothpaste. For the latter option, squeeze the craft glue into the hole until it is full, and then scrape away any excess glue around the outside of the hole once it has dried. If using bar soap, rub it back and forth over the holes until they appear filled, and then wipe away any excess soap pieces with a dry cloth.
For a more long-lasting solution, spackling paste is the best option. Apply a quarter-sized amount of spackling paste to the holes with a putty knife, slowly dragging the knife over the surface of each hole to fill it. Remove any excess paste with a clean putty knife. Once the putty is dry, lightly sand the area with sandpaper to ensure an even surface, and then wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
For a quick fix, you can also use toothpaste, either on its own or mixed with an aspirin tablet. Simply fill the hole with the mixture and then paint over it. If you want to paint over the holes after filling them with spackling paste, be sure to use a light coat of paint, as a heavy coat may leave obvious spots on your wall.
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Smooth the surface with sandpaper
While installing baseboard molding, it is important to smooth the surface with sandpaper to achieve a seamless finish. This process can be done using a variety of sandpaper grits, depending on the desired smoothness and the type of molding being installed.
When working with plastic crown molding, it is recommended to use a stud finder to mark the position of the wall studs. This ensures accurate placement of the molding. After marking the stud positions, you can nail or screw the nailer strips around the perimeter of the room. The white-painted edge of the strip should face upward, making it easy to check for proper placement.
Before nailing the molding in place, you may need to cope with the corners using a special technique, especially if you plan to install rope lighting. Once the molding is securely nailed in place, you can use sandpaper to smooth the surface and create a seamless finish.
For smoothing plastic surfaces, it is recommended to start with a finer grit sandpaper to remove any excess material and create a uniform surface. A grit range of 400 to 600 is often used for this initial step. This is followed by progressing to higher grits, such as 1000 or 1500, to achieve a smoother finish. If an extremely smooth surface is desired, you can even use a rubbing compound after sanding.
Additionally, when installing baseboard molding, it is essential to fill any holes or gaps with wood putty or glue before sanding. This ensures that the surface is level and free of imperfections. Sanding the filled areas with sandpaper will create a smooth and consistent texture, making the baseboards perfect for painting or further finishing.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a nail gun, which is the most effective way to consistently get nails through the plastic molding without damaging it. You can also use a hammer, which is the most popular alternative option. Other options include using a screwdriver and screws or a pneumatic stapler.
Brad nails are best used for basecaps and shoe molding. We recommend 15-gauge 2’’ nails. However, you may need to analyze your setup for what length is best. For instance, a 2’’ nail may work great for the shoe molding but run too far into the baseboard for the basecap.
Use two nails for baseboards 5 inches or less; anything over, consider using three per stud.
Spackling paste is the best filler for nail holes in baseboards. It is designed to form and stay in place and doesn’t change shape very easily. Because of its texture, it is more amenable to the holes.
