Filling screw and nail holes in skirting before painting

Sep 08, 2006 9 Replies

We've had a lot of new doors, architrave and skirting fitted in our extension. I was disappointed to see how many holes were left by the screws and nails holding it in place. In some places, I've already had a stab at this and just used an ordinary brown wood filler in a little tin I had lying around. However, I found it impossible to work with as it went off so quickly. I wasn't able to smooth it, and it dries so hard I couldn't sand it smooth!



I was rather bewildered by the choice at "Buy & Queue" (and alarmed at the cost) this morning so left empty handed (again!). Can anyone recommend a specific product/brand that would do the job for me? Also, would I need to treat the screw and nail heads first to prevent rust in the lnger term?



Prime with universal primer (taking care to cover metal). Fill with fine Polyfilla (or similar), sand, undercoat, gloss.

Why, may I ask, were you filling with wood filler in an attempt to match the colour if you are painting? If you want to varnish, of course, it's a different kettle of fish....

Try wetting the filler or sandpaper and then sanding.

If not modellers putty as the filler.

NOTE: always use cement-based filler that you mix with water. Other types shrink when drying leaving a concave dent above the screw holes. I know, I did it, and had to fill all the holes several times or overfill and sand to get them flat. Simon.

I just used it because, I assumed, I should fill holes in wood with wood filler!

Past experience with Pollyfilla in wood hasn't been very succesfull for me - it almost inevitably cracks.

That's my experience too. Sorry to sound dumb but what is "cement based" filler ?

It should be fine in nail/screw head size holes and painted over - I have never done it any other way and never had a problem (unless caused by another problem - loose fixing, too much movement etc). Fixing up to varnish is a right PITA though.

Most of the powder fillers will be cement-based. It will say on the packet something like "contains portland cement". I think I used this:

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you are keeping a wood finish of course, its a different matter. The only proper way then is to screw and plug the holes, as a pro would do.

Simon.

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>> If you are keeping a wood finish of course, its a different matter.

Modellers putty is cement based and is managable to get a smooth surface with a little light rubbing when hard.

Interior filler is the right stuff, you just need to mix it thicker

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