What's the best way to sand caulk after filling nail holes?

Question

Used caulk to fill nail holes after hanging crown molding. Applied caulk fairly thickly. What's the easiest and best way to sand? How can I minimize the mess when sanding?

Answer 1

You should fill nail holes with spackling or joint cement (for drywall). That way, you can simply sand with a wet sponge. This method does not sand smooth the existing texture. If you used caulk, like silicone, the best way is to use a small scraper to avoid knocking down the existing texture. Sanding with sandpaper would likely not work well as the paper would get clogged easily, it would make a big mess, and the repair would likely be more obvious than the unsanded nail-hole repair.

Answer 2

The nail holes she be rather small, right?

The proper way would be to use a nailset and hammer to bury the head of the nail below the surface. That leaves a very small hole to conceal.

However, you must have bigger holes. So here it goes...

It is always best not to use too much caulk. Once the hole is filled use a scraper or putty knife to smooth it out. It doesn't sound like you've done that.

Just a bit of sanding may be in order, perhaps use a "sponge" sanding block so that you can get a good grip and easily control the damage to the surrounding area. If you have a helper, have them hold a vacuum hose close to your work. It shouldn't be that messy!

If it is latex caulk it should conceal fairly easily and only perhaps you will ever notice. Paint will also blend it in nicely. If it is siliconized or silicon keep in mind it may not cover with traditional latex paint.

Good luck, crown molding can make a room, and remember that you will be your own worse critic of the work. Get it sanded, don't go overboard, and likely no one will ever even see it, unless you know my father-in-law :)

Trust me, though, the hard part is over! Sand and touch up and move on to the next room

Answer 3

Easiest way I can tell you is to wrap a small piece of sandpaper around your finger and go at it.
I am assuming you used a pneumatic nail gun or at least finish nails countersunk with a nail set so, next time I would suggest squirting a small amount of caulk on your finger and rub it over the nail hole. You should not have to sand anything if you do it that way.
To everyone else saying not to use caulk, to use this or that, blah blah blah. Paintable latex caulk is perfectly acceptable. So is wood filler. They both serve the same purpose. Joint compound will shrink and crack if not applied correctly.

Answer 4

I have been a Professional Painting Contractor for nearly 20 years now. Never use caulk to fill nail holes. The best product i have found is to use regular painters putty, found out any Sherwin Williams, or good paint ot hardware store.You just fill the hole with the putty, then wipe the excess away with your finger. It is paintable and nevers becomes hard and brittle over time , so it wont ever fall out.

Answer 5

next time don't use caulk, use putty, press the putty in the nail holes, wipe off putty to the level of the molding, lightly sand using 220 sandpaper. prime the entire molding and finish coat......to the mess you made.....with a two or three inch wall scraper, scrape off caulk where you can to achieve a somewhat level surface then lightly sand. the little mess this will make can be vacumn up, you can use a little box to catch the scrapings, again prime entire molding and then finish coat.

Answer 6

I wouldn't use "caulk" to fill nail holes. There is this stuff at home depot, it's "light weight spackle" from patch and fill. This stuff is incredible. You can use it, even on wood projects.

Currently, I am working on a project for our kids. I am using "old" but in great condition shelves to put in their closet. I took the shelves down (they were in the work shop area of our garage), and using that light weight spackle to fill the nail holes. It dries in about fifteen minutes and you can sand it as soon as it's dried. Also, if you are using it on drywall, same thing, but you can actually use a damp sponge to "sand" down the remains...

Answer 7

first of all you NEVER use caulking to fill a hole, use light weight spackle no matter how you try to sand it, it wont look that great. the next time you use caulk wipe it with a wet rag when its still wet.

Answer 8

you can use sanding blocks, like you use on drywall. Set up containment. Buy some painters tape and plastic and then throw out the plastic/tape/mess all at once. Warning, sometimes the containment takes a while but it saves alot of time in the long run