How To Touch Up Baseboards (Fix Chips, Stains, Scuffs)

Baseboards probably suffer the most hits and bumps compared to the rest of the house, especially if you have pets or kids. Since they’re in high-traffic areas, it is not unusual for the paint to chip after getting knocked too many times while vacuuming. How you touch up baseboards will depend on the material, the damage, and the type of finish. 

Here’s how to touch up baseboards (fix chips, stains, scuffs):

1. Scrape and sand scratched or chipped wooden baseboards. 
2. Caulk baseboard gaps. 
3. Clean stains with warm water, vinegar, and liquid soap.
4. Fill the gouges with wood filler. 
5. Fix the lower gap with shoe molding.
6. Use a kneaded rubber eraser or alcohol on vacuum scuff.
7. Sand chipped area before applying primer and paint. 
8. Sand and clean scratches on PVC baseboards.
9. Lightly sand and clean water damaged MDF trims.

Baseboard damage is inevitable. So, this article will look at the types of baseboard damages and how you can touch up yours to make it look as good as new. 

1. Scrape and Sand Scratched or Chipped Wooden Baseboards 

Even if the rest of your house is pristine, scratched or chipped baseboards can make it look old and worn out. 

Scratches and chips are very common and could be caused by anxious or excited pets, or kids kicking the ball around. 

Fixing Chips in Baseboards

To fix chips, lightly scrape off the fragmented wood, so it doesn’t hurt you when sanding the area. 

However, if a splinter is still attached after chipping, it’s best to leave it. Then, sand the section until all the pieces are smoothened out.

This video illustrates how you can fix chipped wooden baseboards:

Fixing Chips in Painted Baseboards

If the baseboard is painted, use a light coat of drywall joint compound. Avoid using too much because you’ll just spend more time sanding it until it evens out. 

Instead, apply small amounts until you are satisfied. Leave it to dry and then sand until smooth. 

Once you finish, apply wood primer before painting the area. 

Fixing Chips in Unpainted or Stained Baseboards

When working with unpainted or stained wooden trims, use epoxy wood filler. 

This