Finish Joints and Nail Holes

What happens in this clip

After all the trim pieces (baseboard, horizontal, and vertical bats) are securely installed, it's time for the crucial finishing work. Apply DAP Premium Wood Filler to all visible nail holes and any small gaps where trim pieces meet. Use a putty knife to carefully spread and smooth the filler, ensuring it's flush with the wood surface. Allow the wood filler to dry completely as recommended by the manufacturer. Once dry, sand all filled areas smooth using a fine-grit sanding sponge (e.g., 220-grit). This step is critical for achieving a seamless surface ready for paint. Finally, use DAP Alex Fast Dry Caulk in a caulk gun to fill any remaining small gaps or seams where trim pieces meet the wall or each other, and along the edges of the baseboard. Smooth the caulk immediately with a damp rag or finger for a professional, clean line. The goal is to make all individual pieces appear as one solid unit.

Goal: Create a smooth, seamless surface on the accent wall ready for painting.

What's used

Tools

• Caulk Gun
• Putty Knife
• Finger
• Sanding Sponge

Materials

• Clean Damp Rag
• DAP Alex Fast Dry Caulk DAP
• Paintable silicone caulk
• paintable surface.
• DAP Premium Wood Filler DAP
• Bondo Wood Filler

About the full video

This project provides a detailed guide on how to create a stylish board and batten accent wall in a bedroom. The process involves carefully preparing the walls, precisely measuring and cutting horizontal and vertical trim pieces, securely fastening them with a nail gun and construction adhesive, and finishing with wood filler and caulk for a seamless, professional look before painting.

Step 5 of 6: Fill Nail Holes and Caulk Gaps

Using wood filler, fill all visible nail holes left from attaching the top board, battens, and baseboard. Apply the filler slightly above the surface, as it will shrink as it dries. Once the filler is dry, sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. Apply a bead of paintable caulk along all seams where the boards meet the wall and where different pieces of trim meet each other. This creates a seamless, professional finish. Wipe away any excess caulk immediately with a damp cloth.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Caulk, Fill, and Sand
• Fill Nail Holes and Caulk Seams