How do I fill a gap in crown molding corners that is more than a half inch?

Question

I just put up crown molding in and a couple of the corners have gaps larger than 1/2". In this older home the wall are not exactly 90 degrees. I need a simple way to fill these gaps without removing what I installed. Please help.

Answer 1

Stick some filler in there like cotton or small pcs. of newspaper then put caulk over the top and contour with a wet finger

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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RE:
How do I fill a gap in crown molding corners that is more than a half inch?
I just put up crown molding in and a couple of the corners have gaps larger than 1/2". In this older home the wall are not exactly 90 degrees. I need a simple way to fill these gaps without removing what I installed. Please help.

Answer 4

I would use epoxy putty, which is thick and holds its shape, and then it dries hard so you can sand and paint it. Here is one brand: http://www.epoxygator.com/

I'm not endorsing that brand, just showing what it looks like. There is one type where you cut off one piece and knead it to combine the 2 components. Or you can get another kind where the components are separate and you mix equal parts.

For a half-inch gap, press the putty into the area but don't try to finish the job on the first pass. Just mostly fill the gap and leave room to add a final layer. Let that harden, and then add more putty.

Don't use regular Bondo or thinner epoxy, because it will sag and lose its shape before it dries.

Answer 5

If removing is definitely undesirable and you plan to paint(not stain) the crown then 1/2" gaps can be closed with Auto body filler i.e. BONDO sold at auto centers and Home Centers. You'll need fiberglass drywall tape to span the gap and provide a mesh reinforcement for the filler to "key" into. Span the gap with the fiberglass tape. Mix the filler according to the directions and smoosh it into the gap lightly so as not to dislodge the fiberglass tape. Mix and use only enough to partially fill the gap. Smooth the bondo out fast to the profile of your crown molding and let it cure. You most likely will have to do this in 2-3 attempts until the repair is a little bit higher than the crown molding to the left and right of it. Once you've "built-up" the filler and it has cured use a half round rasp(avail. at Home Centers for less than $10) and shape the filler to the same profile as the rest of the crown molding. Finish sand the filler smooth with a 120 grit sanding sponge(avail. at home centers). To get professional results take an extra piece of the crown molding and wrap in shrink wrap or saran wrap. Mix approx. 1 fat fist full of the auto body filler and apply it to the saran wrapped crown molding making sure to fill each nook and cranny of the crown molding with filler. Let it sit until it is hard. Remove the auto body filler and you will see that it is shaped just like the face of the crown molding. If you adhere(using spray adhesive) sand paper onto the mold you just cast it can be used as a sanding block to sand down the repair you created earlier. Good luck!

Answer 6

Instead of filling them, try covering them. Depending on the type of crown molding you used, you may be able to purchase corner pieces that are designed to go over the corner joints.

If you can't buy one, you may also be able to make one by coping a piece of wood to fit the contours of the crown molding.

Filling a gap that large will simply look sloppy, and it will keep cracking.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I do this all the time.

Wood putty or caulk is not useful at that size gap, but drywall mud is, it just will not stick very well and set up or keep from cracking by itself when the crowns move.

Caulking also cannot be sanded or shaped well at that width.

So use liquid nail or even silicone to fill the void and to fasten the crowns together, but keep it deep. This will keep the joint from cracking. Then, after it sets up (the next day), go over the last little depth with drywall mud, shape it with a tool, let set, sand or carve down, and walla.

Filled, stable, sandable and paintable.

Answer 8

How To Caulk Crown Molding

Answer 9

If you have any of the moulding left, cut a piece with one 45 degree cut and one 90 to fit in the corner (you'll need a saw capable of a 45 degree cut) and adhere the 90 degree cut to one of the two meeting ends using wood glue. Whatever gap is left, you can fill with caulking.

If this is not possible, you can use plaster to fill in the gap. Once placed, you can conform the shape of the plaster to the contour of the moulding using a small trowel. When the plaster has partially set, use a sponge to smooth. Once dry, lightly sand any anomalies and paint. Any imperfections will not be very visible.

Answer 10

you could try some caulk.
CHeck your local hardware home depot type store for the right type. if you are painting it you need that type.... paintable caulk.
You snip the top squeeze it into the cracks and kinda smooth it out a bit so it looks nice let it dry then paint it however you are doing the molding . If you are using natural wood finish or stained wood then find a wood filler apply as directed you may have to use several applications to get it to come out just read the directions.

Good Luck With patience it should come out ok

Answer 11

You should not be filling any gap in trim that is 1/2". Is there another trim piece you can add in to cover the gap??? Otherwise, take it down. Crown molding can be a PAIN!!! There are newer materials that make the project MUCH easier.