I've installed some new baseboards, though I'm not really sure I have the right method down. Here's what I do:
- Paint baseboard
- Paint walls
- Cut and install baseboard (using brad nailer and/or liquid nails)
- Sand outside corners so they're not as pointy
- Go over nail holes and straight joins with putty, and seal corners with caulk
- Sand putty with high grit (just to smooth it out)
- Touch-up paint on all the putty/caulk
The downside of this method is that there is a (in some places) small but noticeable gap between the top of the baseboard and the wall. Pretty much anywhere if you wanted to, you could push a piece of paper behind the baseboard. Most new construction I've seen doesn't have this gap, and generally if the walls/trim is re-painted at some point, that also seals up the gap.
Is there a step I'm skipping where people caulk the top edge all the way around? Or am I doing this completely wrong?