How can I effectively repair a chunk of trim taken out by a falling clock when the trimmer recommended against replacing it due to caulking?
Asked by Victoria Riley 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 29, 2024
Hey there! So, we had a little mishap with a clock falling and chipping our trim. The trimmer we spoke to suggested not replacing the piece because it was caulked in. We’re thinking about drilling some holes, filling them in, shaping it, and then painting over it. Do you have any suggestions on what materials to use or any other ideas? Thanks a bunch!
You can smooth it out with drywall mud, sand it, and then paint over it
Bondo
Bondo. Sand. Paint
Hey , Minwax two-part epoxy is similar to Bondo, but the great thing is that it’s much easier to sand. Simply tape off the top and bottom, and make sure to have a vacuum nearby for a clean job.
I’ve never encountered any problems when sanding automotive grade Bondo.
Hey , this option is not only the most affordable but also the simplest solution.
To fix the damaged wall, you can use plastic mud filler or simply remove the molding and sand away the caulk. You’ll need to do some mud work if there’s any damage above where the new molding strip will go. Once you’ve repaired the wall, you can attach a new piece and recaulk it. It’s not too difficult. Both options are doable. It’s up to you. You can easily fill holes with wood filler.
I really like press board trim.
No need to drill holes, just sand it thoroughly, apply primer, and paint
If you’re looking to replace and cut caulking and change the whole piece of baseboard
Not too difficult to resolve
https://youtube.com/shorts/bNF4Z-rrwjk?si=odHcvXt-0VQOlY8Z
It would be quicker to run a razor knife blade over the chalk and replace it, but if you’re going to try to fix it I completely agree with Richard about using Durhams, it dries quickly and is durable.
You could try using a bit of spackle to fill in the divot and smooth it out. But, since the trim is press board and not wood, it might not work out well. Press board can’t handle too much moisture, it absorbs it like a sponge and becomes as weak as wet cardboard. If you do decide to use spackle, make sure it’s not too thin and let it dry completely before sanding and painting. Another option could be using a two-part epoxy wood filler, but that can be tricky to work with and harder to shape after it hardens.
I believe using general purpose bondo would be more suitable for the reasons you mentioned. The only downside is that it’s more difficult to sand, increasing the risk of scuffing up the molding and making it worse.
To begin with, that’s definitely not quality trim molding, it’s basically cardboard lol…the cheapest molding you can find, just get rid of the poor-quality board
I guess it really depends on how long the piece is. Normally I go with the finger-jointed pine instead of the press board version of this molding. I think they come in 10ft lengths, so if it’s all 10ft that needs replacing then I can see his concern. But if it’s just a couple of feet, I would simply replace the entire thing. If not, wood filler would probably work although it’s not wood.
That guy who claims to be a “trimmer” is clueless. I suggest swapping out that part. Fixing it properly and making it blend seamlessly requires a good amount of skill.
Run a blade along the caulk line, take off the trim, put on new trim, (use a nail gun) re-caulk.
Use wood putty, sand it down, apply paint, and you’re good to go.
I would suggest finding a different contractor. If your current one is hesitant to replace something just because it’s caulked in, then he might not be the best fit. Sounds like he’s just being lazy.
You’re completely correct. The caulk can be cut using an xacto knife, the trim can be taken out with a trim puller. After that, the trim can be replaced, recaulked, and repainted.
If it was made of wood, I would fix it, but dealing with that press board material is going to be a hassle. Trying to smooth and shape the putty without accidentally sanding the trim will be a challenge, resulting in yet another flawed area. That type of trim is cheap; I would opt for replacement. I get the reluctance to remove caulk; I despise doing it myself, but I am not a professional. If this individual specializes in trim work, it should be a breeze for him. Sounds like laziness to me.
Houses these days are totally made out of cardboard, right?
Can you pass me the epoxy filler?
The trim here is MDF, unfortunately it’s prone to nicks and should be kept away from moisture to prevent swelling. On the bright side, it’s the most affordable type of trim – you should be able to get everything you need for less than $20 including trim, caulk, and nails.
I’m wondering why you can’t simply remove the caulk, install new trim, and recaulk. It seems like it would be less work than filling the hole and making it look good.
Try out Minwax High Performance Wood Filler or Bondo – they both work well, just make sure to sand it down after it dries. It comes in a small can with a tube of hardener. Follow the instructions on the can and be careful not to use too much hardener to avoid quick hardening. Mix it with a putty knife on a hard surface like a scrap piece of wood. Really great stuff.
Start by priming first, then apply a 20-minute patch. After sanding it to the right profile, re-prime and paint it.
Those guys trimming are a bit lazy. They just cut the caulk, pull the board, scrape and sand it, paint the new trim, trace the board, make cuts, nail and caulk.
Why not grab a piece of step flashing shape to use for trimming? Mix up some plaster, fill the hole, and scrape the flashing over it. Two coats should be enough.
Epoxy
Seems like it’s made of mdf. You can use some wood filler to match the contour. It might require a few light coats. ‘t forget to prime and paint.
This same thing happened to my baseboard recently. I used bondo to fill it, then sanded, primed, and painted. Now it looks good as new. Although, it would have been easier to just replace the board. You can cut the caulk, remove the old board, put in a new one, fill the holes, sand, caulk, prime, and paint. It’s really simple. Your trim guy must be feeling lazy.
I love this product. It’s already mixed, turns pink when applied, and dries white. It helps you see where you’re applying it more easily.
Simply swap it out with a new one.
You can try using wood filler to mold it back into shape.