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| . Architectural millwork and molding can add detail, character,
and elegance to just about any room, but it can be difficult to put
up on your own. A great innovation has made crown molding easy enough
for one person to do alone |
This is polystyrene crown
molding, made and distributed by Creative Crown Molding of Dallas.
Enough molding for
a whole room comes in a box of 8 foot boards is less than 10 lbs. 4
foot boards are available for lower shipping costs. WWW.CCMDallas.com
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The Crown Molding is lightweight, easy to handle, can
be cut using regular woodworking tools, and require no nails or screws
to install.
Start by cutting a 45-degree miter on one end of a strip of molding.
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| Then square up the factory cut on the other end of the strip. |
Instead of screws and nails, this molding is attached using construction
adhesive. Cut off the tip of the adhesive tube nozzle. Then puncture
the inner seal and load the canister into your caulking gun. |
On the back of the polystyrene
trim, Apply in dashes 1-2" long as thick as toothpaste.
Leave about six to eight inches between the strips. NOTE:
NEVER PUT Liquid Nails ON HEAVY, USE SPARINGLY |
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| The next step couldn't be simpler. Just press this section
of molding onto the wall, bracing it just beneath the ceiling. The
adhesive holds it in place. There is enough flexibility vertically
and horizontally to go on most uneven walls and ceilings. There are
some profiles to accommodate vaulted ceilings. |
Square up the ends of the next section, apply adhesive
to it, and press it in place, making sure the ends of the adjacent
pieces of molding align with each other. |
When you reach a corner, cut a 45-degree miter on the
end of the piece that will go in the corner; the longer side of this
miter should be touching the wall. Slide this mitered end into the
corner and mark where the other end of this piece overlaps its neighbor. |
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To make sure you cut the other side of this piece to
the precise length, nibble away at the material with the blade, moving
the blade closer and closer to the the line you marked until the piece
is the perfect length.
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Now you can continue the process around the rest of
the room. The adhesive should hold the molding in place as it dries;
if necessary, strips of painter's tape will prevent slippage and ensure
that the cut ends and joints stay exactly in position. |
Remove the painter's tape after a few hours. Once the
adhesive has set, apply acrylic painter's caulk to the joint along
the top and bottom of the molding. Tool off the excess with your finger.
The caulk can also fill small gaps in the miter joints. |
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| To conceal irregularities where the molding
sections abut each other, apply a bit of spackle with your finger, then
smooth off the excess with a putty knife. |
Once dry, the spackle can be sanded smooth
with number 320 sandpaper. It can be helpful to fold or roll the paper
to fit the molding's contours. |
Finally, it's time to paint the new trim.
Try using a spout like the one pictured here one. It helps to keep paint
out of the can rim when stirring and pouring. Learn more about these
paint-saving lids here. |
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| It's a good idea to use painter's tape when
painting this molding. Transfer your primer and paint to a small container
that you can easily hold in one hand. Apply at least one coat of primer
and two coats of paint, and sand lightly between the paint coats |
A big time-saver is to paint the molding
before you put it up. It allows you to paint while in a comfortable position
and without having to worry about being careful around the edges. You
will have to touch up a bit at the joints. |
That's all you need to know! Wood trim is
beautiful, but installing and finishing this polystyrene trim is easy
and fast. So the question comes down to choosing your weapon: nail gun
or caulking gun. |
TOOLS AND MATERIALS LIST |
Tools and supplies:
• Ladder
• Caulking gun
• Miter, Table or Band saw
• Safety goggles
• 320 sandpaper
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's pencil
• Paintbrush
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Materials:
• Creative Crown Molding order at 888-442-6662 or on-line at store.ccmdallas.com
• Primer (Glidden Gripper requires only 1 coat)
• Latex Top Coat Paint (High, Low, or Medium-Gloss)
• Construction adhesive – Liquid Nails – Heavy Duty NOTE:
Make dashes 1-2" long, NEVER PUT IT ON HEAVY, USE SPARINGLY.
• Acrylic painter's caulk
• Spackle (shrink-free is preferred)
• Painter's tape
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| Note: This list is based on this
specific project and situation. Please adjust these items and instructions
to your particular needs. |
