How to Hide Cutting Groves on a Fireplace Mantel

A fireplace mantel often attracts people to the fireplace. It is common for guests and friends to look closely at the woodwork, particularly if the mantel is new. For that reason, finishing the mantel as cleanly as possible is a good idea so that a close inspection is rewarded with an attractive surface. Installation of a mantel can leave cutting grooves, open seams, uneven cuts, exposed screws or nails and other unsightly problems. Hiding the damage is part of finishing the mantel.

Wood filler
Putty knife
Auto body filler
Orbital sander
Sandpaper, 60 to 120 grit
Tack cloth
Caulk
Caulk gun
Moist rag

Instructions

- 1
  Fill shallow grooves or cut marks and small nail holes and screw head holes with wood filler. Press the wood filler into those places with a finger or small putty knife, and scrape off the excess wood filler.
- 2
  Repair deep saw cuts, open wood splits, gouges and larger damage using auto body filler. Apply the pasty material with a putty knife, pressing the material as deeply into the holes as possible. Scrape off the excess material, and allow the wood filler and auto body filler to dry completely. Sometimes fillers shrink as they dry, requiring a second application to fill low areas.
- 3
  Sand wood filler and auto body filler using an orbital sander and sandpaper from medium 60 grit to fine 120 grit. Wipe off excess dust with a tack cloth.
- 4
  Fill joints or cracks with caulk that can be painted. Using a caulk gun, squirt the caulk into the joints or cracks. Press the material as deeply into the spaces as possible. Wipe the caulk smooth with a moist rag. Allow all fillers and the caulk to dry completely before painting the mantle.

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