How to Nail Corner Molding
Corner moldings are specialty pieces of molding that fit on the inside and around the outside of corners and eliminate the necessity for making mitered cuts when installing baseboards, chair rail molding and crown molding. Because corner molding allows a homeowner to install decorative molding by making straight cuts only, more homeowners are able to update or improve their homes with decorative molding without having to purchase expensive saws and protractors and taking the time to learn how to use them. Nailing corner molding is key to the stability of the corner molding as well as the wall molding that will adjoin it.
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Hold the corner piece in its installation place to ensure it lies flat on the wall. Mark imperfections that prevent the corner piece from lying flat on the wall with a pencil.
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Sand the imperfect areas of the wall by hand with fine-grit sandpaper. Check the fit of the corner piece periodically as drywall does not require a lot of sanding to make a reasonable amount of change in the surface. Keep sanding until the fit is within 1/8 inch flat in all areas that the corner molding comes in contact with the wall.
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Wipe the wall with a microfiber cloth to remove the sanding dust.
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Place the corner molding and position a pneumatic nailer so that the nail will pierce through the side of the corner molding at an angle and enter the wall within one inch of the corner, hitting a wall stud. Use 2 1/2-inch finishing nails and do not place the nails within 1/2 inch of the edge of the corner molding, or you may split the molding.
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Nail the other side of the corner molding using the same method. You will probably need to nail each side twice in order to make the corner molding as sturdy as needed. When firmly connected, the molding should barely shift with medium pressure from your hand. Do not worry if slight shifting occurs as caulking will help firm up the connection with the wall.
References
- "Crown Molding & Trim: Install It Like a Pro"; Wayne Drake; 2003
Warnings
- Always wear safety glasses when using a pneumatic nailer.
Writer Bio
Kaye Morris has over four years of technical writing experience as a curriculum design specialist and is a published fiction author. She has over 20 years of real estate development experience and received her Bachelor of Science in accounting from McNeese State University along with minors in programming and English.
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