I switched from pre-stained baseboards to raw wood and paint

For years I always bought the pre-primed MDF baseboards because they were cheap and fast. Last month on a job in Akron I had to use raw poplar with a paint-grade finish because the supplier was out of MDF. The difference in how tight the joints fit was night and day. No more gap filler crumbling out after six months. I spent an extra 30 minutes per room painting but saved an hour on caulking and touch-ups. Has anyone else found raw wood worth the extra effort for trim work?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathan_webb1mo ago

Raw poplar tightens up those joints way better.

rileyjones1mo ago

Solid advice right there. Raw poplar really does make a difference on those miters and coped joints because the wood actually compresses a little when you nail it, so everything pulls tight. Pre-primed MDF just crushes and leaves that little gap no matter how careful you are. One thing I learned the hard way is to let the poplar acclimate in the room for a few days before cutting and installing, otherwise it can shrink back and open up those joints anyway. Also, if you're painting, use a shellac-based primer on the knots first or they'll bleed through the paint eventually. It's a little more work upfront but saves so much headache later.