How To Install Crown Molding with Rope Lighting
Installing the Shaker Style Crown Molding.
Measuring wall to wall I cut my new crown molding. Because I was only running this crown on the outside walls I only needed to miter one side of the molding. The other side butted square into the house wall.
Tip: When working alone and measuring long distances, insert a nail close to the opposite wall and hook your tape onto it. [see photo]
To double check the corner I cut a scrap piece of molding with a 45 degree angle and tested it against the first piece of molding I just installed. I use this test piece to check the accuracy of the miter. [Not all corners are perfect 90 degrees] If the heel of the miter is open I re-cut the scrap molding to 44, 43 or 42 degrees to close the gap. The same method applies [opposite direction] if the scrap molding miter point is open but the heel touches. In this situation I cut my scrap piece at 46, 47, 48 degrees to close the gap.
Once I have my scrap piece fitting tight I use that degree mark to cut my next molding, the next molding has two miters. The left miter receives the same angle that the scrap molding had; the other miter is cut at 45 degrees.
I used Gorilla wood glue to secure the miters and nailed off the molding every 12” along the bottom edge.
Installation Tip:
Prior to cutting the third and last piece of molding I use another piece of scrap molding and dry fit the miters, adjusting them as needed.
It’s a good practice to cut the molding at the exact length or 1/16” longer. I like to do this so I can bend the molding out and get a super tight fit.
Fitting The Crown Molding:
To do this I index one miter end into the corner and then bend out the molding into the room while indexing
the other side miter into its corner. Once both miters are in place I release tension on the bow and allow the board to tension in. If done right slight hand pressure will hold the crown to the wall and the finish nails will hold it in place. Doing this keep my miters pressed tight and allows for the glue to do its job.
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