Trim/Finishing Nails Sticking Out

Factual Questions
21

I install a lot of baseboard and trim (I’m reinstalling some base after hardwood refinishing right now).

I’m sorry but mist likely you just did not nail the trim properly. My guess is your nails were not long enough or did not hit anything substantial. Expansion due to temperature / humidity / goblins should not make a difference.

Nails for trim should be minimum 1½" but 2" is best. To hold properly 2/3 of the nail should be imbedded in the substrate. For trim you need to ¾" just for the trim, ½" or more for drywall /mud before you even hit framing. Whether youbpiloted the hole in the trim has little to nothing to do with how well it holds.

Another possibility is that the wall itself is moving or being agitated by something. Even then, if trim is properly fastened it shouldn matter. It is common practice in carpentry to use glue when you really want a joint to not move.

Despite your missconceptions about glue the simplest solution is to go grab a sqeeze tube of NoMoreNails and stick the faulty piece on for good. It is thick like toothpaste and water clean up. If you can brush your teeth without making a mess you will be fine. If not you may have to spend ½ second with a damp rag to clean up.

Edited to fix fractions not showing.

22

May sooner or later lead to gaps at the top of your base. Might not.

23

Chalking forgives a multitude of sins …

24

Yeah… If done properly.

However, go overboard in the bore diameter or depth (or both), and problems such as the OP describe begin to happen.

I’m sure I’m not the only one here that’s “Been there, done that”.

25

Fixed them all up, only time will tell if it works. Not such a big deal if it doesn’t, since the other nails that don’t come out are in so well that the baseboard and QR are not loose at all. Thanks for all the responses, I am amazed at how much goes into just the nailing of these. It was my second time ever putting in this stuff, so I got most of the mistakes out (or thought I did) of the way, I think I just drilled the pilots too far in. Did a couple slight pilots in the boards and qr and let the nails (better ones) do the rest of the work, so hopefully they will hold. Again, thanks for all the replies, these tips will definitely help the next time I have to do this stuff, I’ll get it right the first time.