The Best Way To Fill Nail Holes In Trim(you were doing it wrong) 

Compared 6 products. Intros, demonstration, conclusions. Left nothing out. All within 6 mins and 34 seconds. You sir, are legend at not wasting a RU-vidr's time with unnecessary fill. More content creators could greatly benefit from following your lead. Thank you for caring about our time.

Perfect I knew there was a reason why I hadn’t filled those nail holes for the last 4 weeks. This video was what I was waiting for 😂

Perhaps the best, most comprehensive and helpful test/review ever published on RU-vid. I was having trouble getting flawless filled nail holes and this fixed it for me. Thanks so much!!!

Thank you so much for not making this a 15 minute video. You get right to the point! I love it.

Love that you test different products out and show us the unbiased results. Thank you so much!

I’ve been a landlord for over 35 years, and have had great success with Ready Patch. I do one coat, slightly overfilled, and sand with a damp sanding sponge. Slightly wetting the sponge makes the sanding much easier, and gives a smooth finish. I also put a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the open can, then add the lid; make sure the lid is on tight, and the product will stay soft.

Interesting video. I don't know any professional who fills holes with a finger. RockHard is hugely popular among NYC contractors, and I've been using it for decades. Yes, you have to mix, but I love that I get to control the consistency, depending on the hole's size. But mostly, I love the product's shelf life. It NEVER dries out. It can sit on the shelf for years and still be perfectly usable. I also LOVE how easy it is to sand once dry. It even sands beautifully with 600 grit paper around gentle edges. I also love how quick drying it is. And, you can add color to it for custom color work. I can't recommend RockHard enough.

This video is incredibly helpful! I love the step-by-step instructions and the emphasis on choosing the right filler for a seamless finish. Your tip about sanding and painting for a professional look is a game-changer

You did a very good job with this video. No fluff, no annoying music, just the facts. 👍🇺🇸

I fill a lot of nail holes on paint grade trim and my favorite method to date is the drydex but only in a tube. You don’t have to worry about the material drying out or the crappy lid and it goes a long way. The tube allows you to control the amount of material on your finger tip very well and you can easily smash in the amount the fill the hole, then wipe away the excess and I immediately follow up with a light feathered wipe over top of the filled hole to accommodate shrinkage. Even a small room will usually be ready to start sanding by the time I would my way around to my starting point. After that the key is a 1/4 sheet of 3M gold 180 grit. It removes the material in a couple of light swipes, it leaves a very smooth finish without the over sanding divot, and it doesn’t gum up at all. One 1/4 of a sheet goes a very long way. With 18 gauge nail holes or smaller I typically am good to go in one pass, a 15 gauge hole will still often require 2 coats.

Currently in a hardware store and gotta say, I love this video. Been working on my trim using your videos and has made my life much easier. Thank you!

I don't often do home improvements, but when I do, I'm coming to this channel. Excellent, clear presentation.

I've been using the Elmer's wood filler for years and has always given me great results and never had any issues with paint coverage

I do house prepping and I love ready patch. so long as you keep it wet and not dried out, it's a winner, shapeable like a smooth drywall mud, can do small or large repairs on painted wood trim or door frames. One coat, dries quickly.

This was exactly what I needed. Perfect video packed with educational content and a little humor! Loved the clue reference, I was thinking the same thing as you were saying it. Definitely going out and getting that Dynapatch - thank ya, sir!

Thanks for an excellent review. I have a lot of nail holes still left to fill. I appreciate the thoroughness and the quick review.

Hey bro this video you made is excellent perfect really. You got right to the point you gave plenty of information tone of voice was appropriate. I've seen a bunch of your videos I haven't seen all of them but this one here is my favorite so far. Today you got a new subscriber I appreciate your work bro keep up the good work

Thank you for trying everything out. Always share your videos to my husband. One of his major peeves is nail holes especially because of all the molding we just did in our house.

Thanks for delivering this comparison in a quick and to the point video. Lots of great information. Love your channel.

Been using dry dex for years. I watched this last week and switched to Alex spackle for the crown i imstalled and I'm almost embarrassed I ever used dex. Thank you for this

i use one light coat of drydex with a finger... then instead of sanding, i use a slightly damp microfiber cloth (the smooth side, not the coarse)... the holes literally disappear. and it's the fastest, cleanest method i've ever seen.

Thanks! I understand that the Durham's Water Putty loses points for needing to be mixed, BUT, I do LOVE that it doesn't have me reaching for the filler and discover it has dried out and gone bad! Yes, if availabIe I grab other things first, but sooooo often the spackle/wood filler/putty is no longer good, and the water putty sits there for decades, always ready when I need it!

Great information. I used to use dry den all the time. Switching to Elmers. Thanks.

As a finishing carpenter, Dynapatch Pro is the best. It sands at the same rate as wood, dries fast, and is quite hard. Gotta keep the lid on it as it will get crumbly fast. I make solid blocks for sanding by spray glue sandpaper on MDF.

great video, objective testing, quick and to the point. THANK YOU

I was told by a professional finish carpenter to use glazing compound. I have used it and it works well.

Excellent info, thank you for putting the time into this test.

Kudos to anyone who actually applies two coats of anything as a finish nail filler and sands between coats. With all the things I have to do in my life, it gets one coat, sanded and painted. The difference in that second coat and second sanding is one of those things that I accept and move on with my life.

Wow INCREDIBLE work. Great video!

Been painting for 25+ years and the old school method is by far the best. Crawfords painters putty rolled into a ball ,then you roll it in plaster of Paris. it sets quick and easy to sand the next day. Just push it in with your finger some bigger holes may need a 2nd application.

Found your channel tonight and just binge watched liked 10 videos. Love the info and the humor.

I just recently discovered your channel. I appreciate your sense of humour and honest perspective, not to mention the immensely useful tips that you are giving us. Keep up the great work.

I've got ill fitted crown moulding to clean up and a main floor of baseboards to reinstall, this video is going to pay a lot more than the 6 minute investment in watching it. BTW since I wasn't falling asleep in my chair waiting for the end, I enjoyed the bloopers at the end too. Good, solid vid. Thx!

Excellent video! Very, very helpful, and I love your cute outtakes at the end. 😊 It was great! Thank you so much! 👍

Great video and explanation of products and techniques. Thank You!

The Dyna patch pro isn't available in my area. It's only available online. I use the Elmer's and have been happy with it. I also like the fact that it's in a squeezable tube. Makes it easy to apply, and it doesn't dry out like canned patch compounds seem to do.

Thanks Crowder! Love the scientific approach

Explanation is so simple and easy to remember. Thanks.

I love your videos man! So glad I found your page.

Best result I found is two applications of filler and priming the casing with an airless completely before applying paint. The primer seals the filler and makes it invisible. Good video, cheers.

I really appreciate the tests and the result are clear. That being said, there is always a tradeoff with time. I've found it's just much faster to use drydex then come behind with a artist bush and touchup the holes. I use a little bit more than I have then after drying I come behind with damp paper towel again. I don't do any sanding and then use artist brush to paint just the holes.

I love ready patch. Use it all the time on exterior projects.

Love the video. I’m a GC and do most of the work and have used dry dex with frustrating results for way to long. Thanks for the video brother.

As a professional painter in the northeast, I use the redipatch on window sills, and areas on trim and doors where a layer or two of paint is missing, I don’t use it on holes. It’s like a skim coat.

Wow, excellent content and approach. Very helpful.

Your videos are so great! I learn something new every time I watch! Can't wait until you get a million subs & some sponsors! You're on your way to greatness!!!

Nice review. Brief and to the point. Thanks!

That was awesome! Concise with excellent samples to verify the products and techniques.

well done video. straight to the point. very informative.

I like the Durham Puddy because of the reason he counted as negative... the mixing! I hate opening those other products only to discover it has dried out and is now useless. The Durham can be stored for as little or long as you want. Plus, it is very inexpensive.

Amazing content. I love how you test all the combinations instead of "from my 30 year experience"

Good video. I do almost exactly as you said using a putty knife and I put a first coat to fill the holes and a second heavier thicker coat. Then I use the B&D mouse mini sander and man it’s incredibly fast and does a perfect job

Love your videos ! Your fun to watch. As a trim carpenter….I find the best way is to minimize your holes by using a stud finder and nailing in the profile so you don’t see them. Then use a bit of Color matched caulk to fill the line where the nail is. I pre spray all my base before install. Flat stock trim I tend to pre spray and glue on with an instant bonding system so I have no nails to deal with at all. I use a 21 gauge Brad nailer for standard trim and an 18 gauge for premium trim 5/8” and up. 1-9/16” brads always to stay away from waterlines etc

Thanks so much for all the work. I was using DryDex based on a painter's recommendation and I was never impressed with it.

Excellent work man. Thank you

I've been doing a lot of work with stained rather than painted trim and I noticed the best way to fill is (lightly) mixing sawdust from refinishing the piece and mixing that with epoxy. It's not the easiest to work with and takes a lot of skill, though. More so than the problem of learning the right ratio of sawdust to epoxy was the issue of accidentally using too much around the outside of the hole which causes some issues with staining.

Nice video thanks for info, I find all your videos very helpful. I am a long time painter and please realize it also matters what wood/substrate you apply your filler to. Ideally hard woods or metal you want a harder filler and soft woods a softer filler. A soft filler on a hardwood especially if hand sanding will dig out the filler during sanding. A hard filler on soft wood and the wood around the hole will sand away before the filler. At least that’s what I was taught long ago, I would love to see a test that accounted for this.

Been mixing joint compound with plaster and a little color tint, apply heavy on holes (so u can see it better when dried) usually good with one application then sand with 180 or 220 grit sandpaper.

I love it that you tried many fillers. I wish you had demo'ed more trim! Mine is glossy plastic (pvc?)..

Keep this up and you’ll become the “Project farm” of trim carpentry. Lol Good work.

I've filled thousands (30 years in new construction) of nail holes with the green label spackle from Sherwin Williams. It's all I'll use. It works better than all of those.

Great video! Thank you for the much needed help lol

Soooooo, I was all set to buy the Shur Stik product but since it's made in Canada, I'm not going to pay $13.50 U.S. for shipping on a Ten Dollar product. Then, the Dyna Patch must also be made in Canada since I cannot find it in the States! I guess I need a U.S. based person for the review.

Great video.. Great test technique and great recommendations and I'm in agreement with previous comment.. great timing.

I was really excited watching this video. One suggestion is to better show each product and where we can get it. I am in the Boston area and cannot locate either of your top two choices!

Great video! Thanks for doing this

This is exactly what I needdd and have been wondering

Another good video! I would have liked to see "3M Bondo Glazing & Spot Putty", the ready-to-use stuff that is in a tube, meant for small filling and scratches. Seems popular with pro painters.

Good comprehensive test!

I've been doing trim work for a long time and the best thing that works on nail holes is "joint compound" it has never failed me after 30 years

The hand tube of dap is my go to its printable and great easy to use

I started housepainting in 1977 and we always kept a ball of Dap 33 glazing compound in out shirt pocket to fill nail holes. Press it in with your thumb and run your putty knife under your thumb and the hole was filled. If the putty got a little dry you rolled it around in your palms and the oil from your skin and the heat would soften it. If it was too soft and oily some dust made it more workable. I think it's kind of silly that zero evidence of a fastener is what people expect today - most people never get down to look at the basebaord anyway.

Great vid. How about a comparison on shelf life of products? A lot of filler hardens in the packaging and that is extremely frustrating.

Your videos are amazing and helpful!!

And again.. Grate video.. 👍😊

.... I absolutely love MH Ready patch. I don't know what to say, I've used almost all of those and like Ready Patch the best of those.

I installed my crown and base using a high tack construction adhesive called 'Soudal Fix All' just lay a bead around the perimeter and install i had none come loose in the 2 years since, it has a slight amount of flex in it so it can cope with the changing moisture levels in the material

Great info. Right to the point. Subbed.

Love this. Thanks for the effort

I'm a contractor and use mostly Dry-Dex. I use a single application with my finger leaving it overfilled and I don't sand it. I smooth it with a damp cleaning sponge.

When doing trim work, i set the nailer at about a 1/32” depth from the surface, give baseboards one coat of finger applied drydex and two on door casings, rarely sanding. The results are always good. If you crawl around on your hands and knees, you might be able to spot a nail here and there from certain angles, but not when you’re standing or sitting. I’m not knocking anyone who wants a perfect job, but i fail to see the point of the extra work. As well, trying to find every white filled nail hole on a white baseboard and then finding them all again to sand is a major pain in the butt.

What a great, thorough video. Good job funny man.

some good info, great vid

Thanks this really helpful.

Great analysis! thanks :)

Oatey makes a fill stick. You can get it at lowes back with the plumbing stuff. It’s a long stick. You knead it until soft and it sets up rock hard. Very good for fixing chips on casing and jamb

A week ago I bought a tube of DryDex after you recommended it in the door install YT… lol thanks for the very detailed comparison.

Interesting results for the Drydex compared to your last test video where you said it did well on the nail holes. I think it depends on the sanding as it’s really easy to oversand. I found a good method for the Drydex with no sanding, but takes a light touch, is: using finger or knife, fill hole and wipe off all sparkle around the hole. It’s ok if the hole is slightly under filled. Second fill, do the same thing. With a light touch I have got perfect results from that. It’s either that, or use the Dynapatch, but it will take a little muscle sanding it.

Thank you for such a great video, Dyna patch has been my favourite for many years!

Are you sanding between each of the wood filler applications when using the putty knife?Just discovered your channel and I can’t stop binge watching! Thanks for easy to understand content with good camera angles!

Nice reference to Clue. I loved that game as a kid.

Crawfords painters putty is a great product that didn’t get tested here. Been using it for decades.

Great video...very informative!

Definitely liked the quick Cluedo slip.

It appears nobody sells the Dyna patch pro

I'm honestly shocked by the MH results. I wonder if they changed the formulation? For decades I've MH has always been my go to on ANY type of wood patching that isn't caulkable. The oil base has just always had better adhesion than anything else on painted surfaces while remaining incredibly easily sandable. I'll def try out the dynapatch. Can you run a test with larger bruises...ie simulate like pet scratches & hammer/furniture divots? That's where MH generally shines curious how DP performs. Also curious how DP performs on finished semi/high gloss paint surfaces. All trim I install I pre paint with semi or high gloss before install so all I gotta do is nail patch and touch up paint post install.

Great video. Ty. Do you have to prime over the Dynamic Pro?

Awesome videos!

I concur, just finished a 6 week remodel and I’ve always used the pink lid and I was unhappy with how it turned out. I’ll give the dyna a whirl. Thx

I've been using M&H for years. IMO it is the best on painted wood white trim. I put it on with a clean putty knife and then strike off any excess. II use my finger in tough spots. As I'm filling, I always have a wet(tightly wrung out) microfiber rag and give each spot a quick wipe. Never or rarely need any sanding or touch up. To each his own.