As a carpenter I love leaving the filling work to the painter.

Freak'n love detailed videos on simple subjects like this. Super useful info that will make even my DIY projects look more professional. Thanks Richard!

On those shallow depressions, I like to use a nail or punch to add some depth to the hole before filling

This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting to see for several years now! Thank you very much!

YEAHHH! I asked for this video in a previous comment!! lol thanks man!! you're getting a thumbs up before I even watch it.

One thing to mention is how irregular it is to sand Bondo against a soft pine - If the filler is hard like Bondo and you sand too aggressively you may wear away the pine faster than the Bondo. Another great video!

I've been at woodworking for almost 50 years and I agree with some of the other comments that clearly the best filler I've found by far is MH. I tried Famowood and went back to MH. I've also found that using painters masking tape first over anything I'm going to use a nailer on GREATLY reduces the filler/sanding hassle and time spent. After you run around and fill all the nail holes, you just peel off the tape. What you're left with is just the filler filling the nail hole itself - Very easy to knock down with 2-3 quick swipes of 180-220 grit. Otherwise, doing it the traditional way here, you're trying to bring dozens or hundreds of those tiny "pitcher's mounds" of hardened filler back to virtual flat. LOTS of time required. Hope this helps. LOVE your site and all the QUALITY help you provide!

After trying the usual products out there i settled many years ago on the Durhams rock hard water putty on paint grade trim.. You can mix up a small or large batch with a little water as needed. Sometimes using a small squeeze bottle you can pinpoint a dollop on the nail or screw hole proud of the trim & that eliminates all the excess material and sanding later. Just my 2 cents anyway now retired after 42 years in the trade . Thank god for people like you that carry on the quality of work that you do. Keep up the good work its a great way to make an honest living.

Nicely done. I've been a spray painter for 30 yrs. After first coat of primer, I always go back and use a work light and red glaze to make sure everything is corrected. The light really helps you see everything. And when you're done, it's like glass.

I love your channel and have been a subscriber for years, and I wish all carpenters had your commitment to doing quality work. Please don't misunderstand my advice for other painters out there. As a profession painter of 47 years working in Palm Beach and a 17 year veteran contractor I've patched at least a million nail holes. Funny thing, I never minded nail holes before the nail gun was invented. The painters out there know what I'm talking about. FamoWood is a little to grainy for a final fill but it is a good choice, use a putty knife and press hard , it will pop up and leave a crown . Bondo and then glazing putty are the best choices but there is a lot of waste and wasted time, so it depends on the budget. Any of the other choices will work fine as a first fill because I always go over them with a high quality finely ground final coat like Synkoloid (1st choice) or Mh spackle. By the way Bondo makes a special formula for wood that sands much easier, and use white hardener.

Holy smokes. That fireplace is stunning. Great work!!

The mantle was absolutely beautiful. I love the detail. Great job.

Sherwin Williams sells a 3M hole filler product that I use on a daily basis as a painter. Drys fast and doesn't shrink. They also have a large hole filler that has fibers in it witch is good for wall repairs. Best product I have found so far. 👍

I've been making and finishing off and on for more years than I like to count. I always learn something from you. I'm about to make a pedestal for a faux fireplace, and I know there are going to be a bunch of holes, I'm using an Australian wood filler that looks like it has very much the same properties of the one you like(which I've already ordered)and always did multiple steps. Very much like your method and can't wait to try it. Any time you can eliminate steps, is a good time. Thanks for your content.

your craftsmanship and attention to detail are remarkable... you always do great work!

Thanks for the wood filler recommendation - helpful. Nice progress on the mantle. Always appreciated.

Wow, I'm in the middle of replacing the dinky door casing in my builder-grade house with something more substantial and have been disappointed in the plastic wood filler I've been using to fill the nail holes. You couldn't have posted this video at a better time! Heading over to Amazon right now. Thanks!

... Hello, Richard. Excellent work there. Love this series involving the mantle and related molding. Hugs from Midland, Texas.

Great job man. Going to try that filler on my next job. Thank you for all your advice. Mantle build is a great series....really enjoying it.

Sheetrock mud is the fastest and best way to fill small nail holes in painted wood. If put on with a trowel with a little pressure the wood will soak up the moisture quickly and the mud will stand proud of the wood and sand off easily and flush. Paint will make the mud hard enough.

I don't think you understand how much I HATED trim work until I found this channel. Thanks for making my life a lot easier when doing trim! I mean, I still avoid it, but it's not as bad if I'm forced to do it.

I love this channel and have used it to take on my own projects. The only problem is I take so long to finish anything that many of the products I started using because of FCTV are now at the bottom of the list…hardboard filler panels on wainscot, CA glue, and now DAP pink filler. It is nice to see the progression though, I guess I just need to work faster. I’m about a year into a coffered ceiling and 18’/11’ high paneled walls in my 2 story foyer. I should be finished up any day now…

I would highly recommend Red Devil Vinyl Patch. It’s got a consistency similar to Cool Whip, it’s very cheap, and if you add just a splash of water to the big tub and mix, you can work very quickly. You can get very smooth results in a short time. The only thing I’d say bad about it is that since it’s so lightweight, it’s easy to get some where you don’t intend to, but if you have a plastic flexible scraper, you can knock off the little boogers very quickly. Sands easy and takes paint extremely well. I use it for drywall, wood, and even pvc or polystyrene trim work.

Nice job! Details are amazing! 🫡👍🫡

Dang it, i have been filling with the Spackle and rubbiing it smooth, since i watched your Wainscot videos. and back filling with the 3M bondo.(the red stuff). it has been working great. i will try this method next time. glad you are showing this part.

Fantastic result! Great to know what fillers is the best. Thank you!

Are we ever gonna see this painted? Come on already. What’s the hold up? Obviously I’m just kidding but I really am looking forward to the final reveal. It looks fantastic. A great before and after for your website or portfolio.

Famowood fillers are top of the line for stained or painted applications. It's what you'll see in professional cabinet shops, it's what the cabinet shop suppliers sale, etc. The only issue we ever had with it was filling hairline cracks in painted (conversion varnish paint) solid wood cabinet doors. Because it is so hard, It has a habit of cracking when the joints expand and contract over time. Lightweight spackle seemed to hold up better in that instance since it is somewhat flexible.

I like the filler that is made with Talc. It is light and easy to use and you can use your fingers instead of using a pallet knife. It dries within 5 minutes and does not shrink.

Nothing like listening to someone with competence who can speak with confidence.

As always, a thorough, factual tutorial.!

Bought some yesterday. I do like the Durhams water putty too.

Great topic and explainations. Got alot info that will help me on future projects.

This was great, Subscribed!

Thanks for sharing that information, Richard. I was hoping you would make this video. The bigger trim screw holes always seem to sink in with other products. Next trim job I know what filler I am using.

Nicely done brother 🤘🤠

I used to use Dap 88 Painters Putty. •Now I just use 30min spackle/drywall compound mixed in a plastic cup and apply with my finger. It costs next to nothing, very easy to sand and leaves a great finish.

Another great video.i enjoy watching your amazing craftsmanship. I've been a remodeler for close to 50 years and my favorite is MH ready patch. It has very little shrinkage and is quite hard. the only drawback is that it's a little hard to sand.

Durhams/rockys......water putty...my favorite....yellow powder..just add water 💧

Best results. Overlay delicate tape, nail, add the wood filler, pull the tape off. If you need to sand...probably not...and then paint. I lot of overhead however, the end result is awesome.

Great advice! Thank you!

Painters should take note. 90% of them done care to put in the effort for this task

Helpful. Will try that product on next project.

Looks AWESOMETACULAR!!!!

Was going to point out the holes that you missed but realized it is dirt on my screen...Also, I like Durhams, it's a powder so you can mix as much as you need and make it as wet or dry as you want. It gets harder than woodpecker lips in just a few minutes.

Sherwin Williams also makes one similar to this. Also “stainable”. It stains up decent but it’s a great wood filler for sure. If I were installing stain grade trim I’d make my own putty with the saw dust from my sander. Some glue and sawdust mixed together works best in my opinion

Great job. Patience pays off. I’ll try your preferred filler. You may want to try Timbermate filler. It’s my favorite stain-grade filler , especially if you can find a close color match to the species you’ve used.

MH Ready Patch is my putty of choice - give it a shot👍

Looking forward to trying this one! Been on a search for years for the best filler. Recently been trying our JB wood putty for larger holes which makes a decent base fill. Also been testing out timbermate which looks similar to this. Painter here that appreciates your videos! Mantle is looking amazing!!!

some great advice here mate! yeah some timber fillers are really hit and miss these days, I've been using linseed oil putty, overfilling it waiting for it to dry then sand. It can shrink though, definitely don't want it visible after a high gloss finish coat

Absolutely beautiful

Very good Richard , I like watching your videos. 👍

When I first started using a nail gun I found that I was using way too many nails. Being that I am the finisher also I was way more careful to use only the amount of nails that were needed. Great video.

Excellent work my friend!

Oh hey, just what I was asking for!!

Glazing putty and a very flexible knife. Push into hole with thumb then shizzle between thumb and surface. Try it - you might be surprised

Try filling at the end of the day with a tiny flashlight in your spare hand, this will hi light all dents and scratches. Use the shadows to your advantage👍😊

I've tried a bunch of different filler products like DAP and Bondo, but Bondo is 2 part and it hardens like a rock making it difficult to sand. Famowood gave me the best results for a smooth surface finish. The product itself is a fine paste and quickly dries making it easy to sand and paint.

Richard, you might try Bin Primmer from Zinzer. As a shellac based primer you can get a very nice build applying multiple coats. Sands out like glass.

I love famowood, found it by accident at hardwood dealer and haven’t looked back since. It sands supper fast and smooth.

I love famowood, I’ve also watered it down even thinner to fill grain better

Mannn your wife must really love you. I dont know any woman that would let their husband experiment with making a custom mantle for 8 months while not having windows installed😂. Great project turned out great.

Looks great!

This is a very informative, useful video, thanks for sharing.

I always set up a work light shining tangent to the surface when filling and sanding. The raking light makes it MUCH easier to see the surface texture.

painting works great for me !!!

Wow, so much better watching this at home on my 30" iMac thabnq my iPhone. Great work, Richard.

Big fan of elmers wood filler. Strick not soft sands very fine

Very nice finish on the mantle. I often use raking light when it comes to filling nail holes and looking for dings. I can often get everything filled on the first pass. Still, your method produces great results.

Would've been nice to have reflective light to see the "after" shots, but it looks like it turned out well. One step not mentioned is airing out the holes of dust before filling also ensures optimum adhesion of the wood filler. I've seen lots of filler crumble during the sanding when people try to fill dusty holes.

Your videos are so informative, excellently executed, and professionally done!

Phew! Glad I was already using what you recommended. I like to keep the small cup to refill with the larger cup, so I don't end up drying out too much product. Between uses I clear out the little remnants from the small cup, let it dry, then scrape clean with a chisel.

VERY GOOD INFORMATIONS. THANKS

so clean

After sanding but before priming do you wipe down with a wet cloth? vacuum?

I prefer MH ready patch for filler as for me it dries hard and sands flat but to each their own During the renovation of our 100+ year farmhouse, I had custom millwork made to match the original in the house. the trim carpenters didn't cut off areas of snipe and at least to me it was glaringly visible. I ended up using the glazing putty to fill in the snipe as wood filler didn't stick when sanding. Took several layers with sanding between to get it so the snipe was gone

As a licensed contractor here in California, just like you I have used just about every single one in the market and I have end up with Old Masters White Putty Stick!…it’s the best and excess putty is removed very easily and clean.

Thanks. Great vid. I've been using an acrylic caulk. Seems to hide all these DIYer's imperfections. But I'm going to try your product.

Great video and the mantle looks amazing! I’m in the process of pulling my hair out filling nail holes now lol. The Dap wood filler (natural color) was working fine for me but I would have to fill twice. I got some of the same in white ( except that one came in a tube instead of a tub… but said basically the same stuff on it ) thinking it would save me a step since the trim was painted before installing and the s*** is flashing! It seems grittier than the natural colored one also and doesn’t sand as nice. Stuff sucks and I won’t use it again. I’m going to see if I can find the famowood and give it a shot. Thanks!🙌🏻

That will be a fun one! I also use famowood filler but I wouldn't dare use 120 grit on primed trim. Those scratch marks are hard to sand out, and they would translate through into the satin topcoat. But maybe your last coat of primer does the trick.

He is Master in crown molding explain verry well I did some myself. and a lot of it to is time consuming lot of prep that goes on these Job

I like your advice!

From a pro finish carpenter/ contractor like you ! Minwax wood filler works better than “Car Bondo” ! For about 90% of your wood out there there are several exotics I hv not used it on like Spanish cedar !

I know it gets mixed reviews but my go-to is still the drydex in the tube. I cut the tip ~3/16 and press it directly on the nail hole and squeeze pretty hard until it splooges out the sides and then I lighten up and let it overflow the hole a bit. This ensures that the hole is completely jammed with filler and the excess allows for the shrinkage. The shrinkage seems to be the open loose grain of the wood created by the nail hole just pulling the moisture out of the filler and drawing it into the hole. The method I use with a bit of excess accounts for that. One pass of filler chased with some 220 grit and you couldn't find the heads with a spotlight and magnifying glass. It's reliable and efficient just pressing the tip to the nail holes and squeezing. It's also very clean because you don't need to use your finger to work it in. I'm still going to give your product a try but I figured I'd throw this out there because I've had really good luck with drydex using this method.

Wow I’ve tried all but the one you have used and I gotta say I’ve never had a problem with drydex for nail holes.

Timbermate is the best putty. Pricey but does not shrink and actually stains.

Timbermate is very similar to Famowood its almost like you're using the same stuff. Just like Famowood it has lots of tones to match woods only one of the options is white so it works great with primed trim.

Red glazing putty is fine for nail holes as long as you overfill (which you should be doing with any filler anyways) and wait until it’s completely dry to sand

I’ve never seen that brand wood filler in my local stores. My local hardware store carries Zar brand wood patch. I think it’s the best available to me here.

Grand pappy always said, leave well enough alone👌

Thanks for the tip

Famowood is great! 🤠

I use wax with matching color code, in sweden we have two standards in white NCS s0500-N (neutral white) and NCS s0502-y (warm white, or Ikea white - it matches that yellow hint that ikea uses on their cabinets and furniture). just rub it in the hole and wipe/"sand" the access with a paper towel. can even be painted after. if needed. works for deep scratches, dings, cracks or splits, beats waiting for fillers to dry, if you''re on the clock :) wont crumble or leave a small indentation. as the tip of the stick replicates the surface it rubbs agains. plus you dont have to paint or risk compromize any details on the trim. if you're unhappy with the result it's more or less reversable, just add heat and wipe it off

I am curious what you think about a wet wipe process to eliminate sanding? I have seen some guys come back in 15 minutes and wipe with a damp sponge. Thoughts?

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM...😆...nice clutch...GG

we use famowood in the cabinet shop

I use a 23 gage pin nailer and some glue. You don’t need a heavier gage nailer.

I like that 3m stuff, it swells, drys hard and is still easy to sand, but it dries a little too quick.

What about in exterior situations? I have a porch that looks just like your fireplace (nail holes)

Thank you!!!!