Saving Trim
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: March 2, 2011
When you’re doing remodeling or restoration projects, you can end up working with molding you plan to recycle or just need to refinish. Here’s a quick tip for keeping it in the best shape possible.
You’re probably going to be tempted to tap the old finishing nails out from the back side, but that’s not a good idea. The heads of the nails will splinter the face of the molding as they push through. Instead of doing that, take a pair of locking pliers and pull the old nails through from the back. You can use a block of wood under your pliers to give you extra leverage.
Once you have all the nails out, you’ll need to fill the holes with wood putty or you can just reuse the holes when you’re nailing the molding back in place later.
You’re probably going to be tempted to tap the old finishing nails out from the back side, but that’s not a good idea. The heads of the nails will splinter the face of the molding as they push through. Instead of doing that, take a pair of locking pliers and pull the old nails through from the back. You can use a block of wood under your pliers to give you extra leverage.
Once you have all the nails out, you’ll need to fill the holes with wood putty or you can just reuse the holes when you’re nailing the molding back in place later.
