How To Fill Nail Holes In MDF Trim?

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Nail holes or screw holes remain almost every time while installing window trim, baseboards, door frames, cabinets, etc., by using MDF boards. These holes might be created by framing nailer, finish nailer or power brad nailers.

These holes can make the house look as if it is still unfinished or under construction. This is why most people choose to do the extra steps of filling in holes and painting over them while renovating or constructing their houses.

If you want a clean appearance at home, then nail holes need to be filled. In this article, we will discuss how to fill nail holes, especially in MDF trim.

Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5 Steps to Fill Nail Holes in MDF Trim

Filling nail holes is pretty easy. This becomes easier if you know the correct process sequence and have the right tools at hand. With that being said, let’s look at the step-by-step guide on filling nail holes in MDF trims.

Step 1: Choose the Right Nail Hole Filler

Choosing a suitable MDF nail hole filler is the key to completing the job perfectly. You would likely find three types of nail hole fillers, putty, wood filler, and spackle. All three are good in different situations. However, to fill up nail holes in MDF, you can use any of the three depending on your convenience. All three will work fine as long as you know how to use them.

Putty is the easiest to use. Hence, as a beginner, it is best to go for putty. You need to keep in mind that wood putty does not dry down to a solid state. They remain soft and squishy. It might not be suitable for outdoors or if you are planning on painting over it.

Wood filler and spackle are better for outdoor use or for painting over. They solidify and enable sanding and painting over it.

Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Step 2: Apply the MDF Filler

Usually, the nail holes are small, and you can apply the filler with your hands. Put down a small amount of wood filler on your index finger and spread it across the hole. It is okay to overfill the holes; in fact, that is even better. You can permanently remove the excess, but filling in holes that have already been filled once can be hard.

If you are using putty, you can try to squeeze putty in the nail holes. You need to ensure the entire hole is tightly filled with putty. You can try to smooth out the surface.

Generally, spackle comes in tubes with a small tip that makes it easy to apply to the holes directly. However, for fillers or spackle, you need to be careful to work fast as they might start hardening. You can try a putty knife to put fillers in MDF holes as it can be more effective to fill large holes.

Step 3: Remove Excess Filler

Now you need to remove the excess wood filler. Putty is easy to remove as they do not get hardened. But in more cases, putty is not used for trims.

To remove excess filler or spackle, you can wipe them with your finger right after applying. Afterward, use a damp cloth to remove any excess. Timing is the key here, as the cleaning has to be done fast before the wood filler becomes solid.

Step 4: Smooth Out the Filler

Probably some residue will be left even after doing the previous step. To get a smooth surface, you can sand the surface. You will need sandpaper to complete the task.

For small MDF holes, only a piece of sandpaper and sanding for a bit is enough. However, for larger holes, you might need a sanding machine. Once you see that the hole or wood filler is smoothed out and aligned with the trim’s surface, your job is done.

Step 5: Clean Up the Area

After all these steps, you will get some dirt in the area, especially after adding extra wood filler sand to the trim. You can vacuum the place to absorb dust or wipe the area using a damp cloth.

Note: Be sure to clean them immediately after filling your trim holes. Otherwise, they can get stuck again on the filler or holes and ruin the visual of the trim. Even if you paint over it, the dirt can leave lumps of bumps. Therefore, the best thing to do is clean up the working area right after filling the holes.

Tips on Filling Nail Holes in MDF Trim

• While filling nail holes, it is a good idea to fill in any dent, cracks, or other damages at the same time
• Let the wood filler harden before sanding or painting
• Sand lightly only to remove the excess filler; otherwise, you can sand away trim wood
• Using the same methods mentioned, you also can hill in screw holes
• Always overfill holes, never underfill them

Alternate Options for Filling Nail Holes

Many suggest that caulk can be used to fill in holes in MDF trims. However, caulk does not work that well compared to fillers. They shrink more than wood putty or other fillers.

Above that, it is hard to paint over caulk. Most caulks cannot take paint. Also, sanding them does create a smooth surface. However, you can use caulk on painted trims if you want a quick fix.

Recommended Reading

• What Are The Best Nails For Fence Pickets
• What’s The Best Nail Gun For Baseboard
• What Nailer Should I Use on Plywood Sheathing?
• Which Nail Guns are Ideal for Hardie Board
• How to Install Quarter Round

To Conclude

If you go through the article, now you know how to fill nail holes in MDF trim. If you are a professional woodworker, you surely want to satisfy your clients with a flawless job. The process will help you to fill holes in MDF trim.

On the other hand, you should not compromise on filling nail holes on wooden surfaces as the homeowner. By following the guide, you can fill the nail holes in MDF trim as well as other wooden surfaces by yourself.