How to Attach Crown Molding to Bookcases
- 1). Place the piece of crown molding against the edge of the shelf or other portion of the bookcase that it will be attached to. Line up the top edge of the crown molding with the top edge of the shelf. Your goal is to have a smooth transition from the surface of the shelf to the crown molding attached to it.
- 2). Have an assistant hold the crown molding in place. Place the tip of a #3 finishing nail at one end of the crown molding/shelf and tap in gently until it is through the crown molding and into the wood of the shelf. Don't drive the nail all the way in yet. Check the level of the crown molding and make sure it's still aligned with the shelf. If it is, hammer the nail until the head still slightly protrudes from the wood of the molding.
- 3). Proceed to the other end of the crown molding and repeat Step 2. The key is to ensure that the molding stays in alignment with the shelf.
- 4). Drive in finishing nails every 3 inches across the molding. Then place the tip of your nail set against the head of each nail and hammer the nail set until each nail is slightly recessed into the wood of the molding.
- 5). Spread wood putty into each of the nail recesses and let the putty dry for several hours. Sand the wood putty with fine sandpaper until the surface of the molding is smooth, with no evidence of nail holes.