US20240026691A1 - System and method for installation of molding - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for installing pre-painted moldings. The system includes pre-painted moldings each configured to be fastened to a wall by fasteners. The system also includes a caulk material, filler material, concealer material, and touchup paint each color matched to the paint color applied to the moldings. The caulk material is configured to fill a gap defined between each of the moldings and the wall to which the molding is fastened. The filler material is configured to fill a gap defined between any abutting portions of the moldings. The concealer material is configured to conceal any surface disturbances caused by the installation of the fasteners. The touchup paint is configured to adhere to the paint pre-painted on the moldings. The system may also include a marker configured to apply a coating color matched to the paint applied to the moldings, a scraping tool, and/or a buffing tool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention
• The present invention is directed generally to systems for installing and finishing decorative molding, and more particularly to systems for finishing pre-painted molding.
Description of the Related Art
• In the construction trade, finish carpentry, which includes the installation of doors and decorative moldings, is both time consuming and costly. In residential construction, a house having a value of about $400,000 has a daily financing cost of about $75. Reducing the time required to install and paint the moldings would reduce the cost of building homes by reducing the financing and painting costs incurred by the builder. Therefore, a need exists for systems and methods that reduce the time required to install and finish decorative moldings. The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
• FIG.1 is an illustration of a system for installing and finishing pre-painted molding.
• FIG.2 is an illustration of abutting portions baseboard molding fastened to two adjoining walls intersecting at a corner.
• FIG.3 is a flow diagram of a method of constructing the system ofFIG.1.
• FIG.4 is a flow diagram of a method of using the system ofFIG.1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Through investigation and research, the inventors determined that painting decorative moldings and doors at the jobsite consumes one of the largest portions of time (an average of about 6 to 10 days) in a residential construction project. During this time, none of the other construction trades (e.g., carpet layers, plumbers, tile installers, and the like) are allowed to enter the jobsite. Therefore, all aspects other than painting the moldings and doors of the construction project are interrupted.
• While pre-painting moldings off-site and subsequently installing them on the jobsite may seem like a logical way to avoid this interruption, those in the construction arts have long believed that installing pre-painting moldings is infeasible because after installation, prior art pre-painted moldings do not have a satisfactory finished appearance. Specifically, portions of the pre-painted moldings damaged, cut, and otherwise disturbed by the installation process (e.g., mitered portions, portions with nail holes, and the like) could not be concealed or filled adequately. Therefore, to disguise these portions, the prior art pre-painted moldings required repainting thereby defeating the purpose of pre-painting them in the first place.
• Referring toFIG.1, aspects of the present invention relate to asystem10 for installing a plurality of pre-painteddecorative moldings12 that provides a satisfactory finished appearance and does not require repainting beyond touching up selected portions. Themoldings12 may include any type of molding known in the art includingbaseboard molding16,crown molding18,wainscot paneling20,wainscot cap22,corner guard24,chair rail26,cove28,door casing30,window casing32,plinth block34,panel molding36,architrave38,keystone40, base shoe (not shown), and the like. Built in shelves (not shown) andmantels42 may also be considered decorative moldings.
• Themoldings12 may be constructed using any paintable material known in the art, including solid wood, finger-jointed wood, paintable plastic, composite material, such as medium density fibreboard (“MDF”), Light and Ultralite density fibreboard (LDF), and the like. By way of a non-limiting example, suitable moldings may be constructed from Ultralite Supercoat MDF, and/or Platinum Prime MDF both manufactured by Moulding and Millwork, Inc., Manufacturing. Alternatively, themoldings12 may be constructed from a plastic or similar material having a predetermined surface color that is functionally equivalent to an applied paint color of a pre-painted surface.
• In the embodiment depicted in the drawings, themoldings12 are pre-painted with a paint having a predetermined color. The paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12 may include any suitable paint for use with moldings, such as an acrylic based paint. The paint may include additives configured to increase the flexibly of the paint thus helping to prevent the paint from cracking when themoldings12 are flexed. The paint may be configured to provide a non-metal marking coating having desired quality and durability characteristics. Suitable paint for application to themoldings12 includes Polar White, which may be obtained from Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky.
• The paint may be applied using any suitable process known in the art. For example, the paint may be applied using a spray process, a flood coat process, a curtain coat process, and the like. By way of a non-limiting example, the paint may be applied by Sauder Prefinished Wood Products, of Surrey B.C. Canada, a division of Sauder Industries Inc.
• After the paint is applied to themoldings12, the dried or cured paint has an applied color. Thesystem10 includes finishing materials that are color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12.
• The color matched finishing materials of thesystem10 include a container ofcaulk material100. Caulk materials suitable for filling cracks, gaps, and the like are well known in the construction and woodworking arts and the invention is not limited to a particular type of caulk material. The container ofcaulk material100 may include astandard caulk tube102 filled with thecaulk material100, thetube102 being configured to be loaded into a caulk gun (not shown). The caulk gun applies pressure to a first end portion (not shown) of thetube102, which forces thecaulk material100 to exit the tube through an open endedtip104 coupled to asecond end portion106 of the tube. Thecaulk material100 may include any caulk material known in the art that may be color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. If thecaulk material100 has a first color before application and a second color after application (e.g., as the result of a curing process, a drying process, and the like), the second color of thecaulk material100 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. In some embodiments, thecaulk material100 may be paintable. By way of a non-limiting example, a suitable caulk material includes 7122 TT Glazing Compound, which may be purchased from A.B. Corliss Company, Inc.
• The color matched finishing materials of thesystem10 include a container offiller material110. Filler materials suitable for filling surface defects, cracks, scratches, chips, gaps, nail holes, and the like are well known in the construction and woodworking arts and the invention is not limited to a particular type of filler material. The container offiller material110 may include ajar112 filled with any suitable filler material known in the art that may be color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. If thefiller material110 has a first color before application and a second color after application (e.g., as the result of a curing process, a drying process, and the like), the second color of thefiller material110 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. Thefiller material110 may be configured to adhere to the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. In some embodiments, thefiller material110 may be paintable. By way of a non-limiting example, a suitable filler material includes Patchal™ Putty manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina, which is a division of RPM Wood Finishes Group, Inc.
• The color matched finishing materials of thesystem10 include aconcealer material120. Concealer materials suitable for filling small surface defects, cracks, scratches, chips, gaps, nail holes, and the like are well known in the construction and woodworking arts and the invention is not limited to a particular type of concealer material. Any of the materials described above as suitable for use as thefiller material110 may also be used for theconcealer material120. Theconcealer material120 may include acrayon122 comprising any suitable filler material known in the art, such as putty, wax, a combination thereof, and the like, that may be color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. Thecrayon122 may be formed using an extrusion process that improves bonding between the extruded concealer material and the paint. If theconcealer material120 has a first color before application and a second color after application (e.g., as the result of a curing process, a drying process, and the like), the second color of theconcealer material120 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. Theconcealer material120 may be configured to adhere to the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. In some embodiments, theconcealer material120 may be paintable. By way of a non-limiting example, a suitable concealer material includes Fil-Stik™ Putty Sticks manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina.
• The color matched finishing materials of thesystem10 include a container oftouchup paint130. Touchup paints suitable for coating small surface defects, cracks, scratches, chips, gaps, and the like are well known in the construction and woodworking arts and the invention is not limited to a particular type of touchup paint. The container oftouchup paint130 may include an aerosol can132 filled with any suitable aerosolized touchup paint known in the art that may be color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. If thetouchup paint130 has a first color before application and a second color after being application (e.g., as the result of a curing process, a drying process, and the like), the second color of thetouchup paint130 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12.
• Thetouchup paint130 may be configured to adhere to the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. Further, thetouchup paint130 may be configured to adhere to thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, and/or theconcealer material120. Thetouchup paint130 may be formulated to be halo resistant. For example, the chance of paint build on themoldings12 that is easily visible on completion may be reduced by reducing the solid content of thetouchup paint130. Further, thetouchup paint130 may have a high solvent content (e.g., at least 80% solvent) allowing thetouchup paint130 to dry quickly. After the solvents dry (or flash off), the remaining solids may melt into or bond with the paint pre-painted on themoldings12. By way of a non-limiting example, thetouchup paint130 may include a lacquer based enamel such as Satin Lacquer manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina.
• The paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12 has an applied sheen. Thetouchup paint130 may be configured so that after it is applied to themoldings12 and allowed to cure or dry, thetouchup paint130 has an applied sheen that is substantially similar to the applied sheen of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. In other words, thetouchup paint130 may be sheen matched to the applied sheen of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. Thetouchup paint130 may include a paint color matched to applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12 and having a high solvent and low solid content configured to match the sheen level of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12.
• Optionally, thesystem10 may include amarker140 configured to apply a coating material (not shown) to themoldings12. Markers suitable for applying a coating that is suitable for coating small surface defects, cracks, scratches, chips, gaps, and the like are well known in the construction and woodworking arts and the invention is not limited to a particular type of marker. The coating applied by themarker140 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. If the coating has a first color before application and a second color after application (e.g., as the result of a curing process, a drying process, and the like), the second color of the coating of themarker140 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12. The coating applied by themarker140 may be configured to adhere to the paint applied to thepre-painted moldings12 and/or thetouchup paint130. By way of a non-limiting example, a suitable marker for use as themarker140 includes an Ultra™ Mark Touchup Marker manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina.
• Optionally, thesystem10 may include ascraping tool150. Thescraping tool150 may be used to scrapeexcess caulk material100,excess filler material110, and/orexcess concealer material120 from themoldings12. Thescraping tool150 may include any suitable scraper known in the art. InFIG.1, thescraping tool150 is depicted as a card-type scraper.
• Optionally, thesystem10 may include abuffing tool160. Thebuffing tool160 may be used to buff any portions of themoldings12 at which thescraping tool150 was used to removeexcess caulk material100,excess filler material110, and/orexcess concealer material120. Thebuffing tool160 may also be used to buff any portions of themoldings12 to improve the appearance of those portions. Thebuffing tool160 may include any suitable buffer known in the art, including a nonabrasive woven nylon buffing pad provided by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina.
• Themoldings12 may be considered part ofsystem10. Alternatively, themoldings12 may be obtained separately and used with the other components of thesystem10. Further, aspects of thesystem10 are configured for use with previously installedmoldings12. Therefore, thesystem10 may be used withmoldings12 that were obtained separately and installed previously.
• Each of themoldings12 is configured to be fastened to awall170 or other structure, such as apanel172, another molding, and the like. Referring toFIG.2, for illustrative purposes, thesystem10 will be described with respect to a firstpre-painted baseboard molding16A and a secondpre-painted baseboard molding16B. Thefirst baseboard molding16A is cut to size (if necessary), mitered, and fastened to afirst wall170A. Thesecond baseboard molding16B is also cut to size (if necessary), mitered, and fastened to asecond wall170B. Thewalls170A and170B intersect to form a corner “C.” Each of thefirst baseboard molding16A and the second baseboard molding16B has anoutside surface178A and178B, respectively, that faces away fromwalls170A and170B, respectively.
• At the corner “C,” aportion180A of the first baseboard molding16A abuts aportion180B of the second baseboard molding16B. Agap182 is defined between the abuttingmitered end portion180A of thefirst baseboard molding16A and the abuttingmitered end portion180B of the second baseboard molding16B. Agap190A is defined between thefirst baseboard molding16A and thewall170A. Agap190B is defined between the second baseboard molding16B and thewall170B. The first baseboard molding16A is fastened to thewall170A by a plurality of fasteners (not shown). Asurface disturbance194, such as a hole, is formed in thesurfaces178A and178B of thefirst baseboard molding16A and thesecond baseboard molding16B, respectively, where each of the plurality of fasteners penetrates the one of thesurface178A of thefirst baseboard molding16A and thesurface178B the second baseboard molding16B.
• Thecaulk material100 is used to fill gaps defined between themoldings12 and the walls or other structures to which the moldings are fastened. With reference toFIG.2, thecaulk material100 may be used to fill thegap190A defined between thefirst baseboard molding16A and thewall170A. Thecaulk material100 may also be used to fill thegap190B defined between thefirst baseboard molding16B and thewall170B. As mentioned above, thecaulk material100 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to themoldings12. When thegaps190A and190B are filled with thecaulk material100, the filled gaps are substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B respectively. Thecaulk material100 may be introduced into thegaps190A and190B using any method known in the art. Any portion of the caulk material protruding from thegaps190A and190B may be considered excess caulk material.
• Thefiller material110 is used to fill any gaps defined between abutting portions of themoldings12. With reference toFIG.2, thefiller material110 may be used to fill thegap182 defined between the abuttingportion180A of thefirst baseboard molding16A and the abuttingportion180B of the second baseboard molding16B. Thefiller material110 may also be used to fill thesurface disturbances194. As mentioned above, thefiller material110 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to themoldings12. When thegap182 is filled with thefiller material110, the filled gap is substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B. Thefiller material110 may be introduced into thegap182 using any method known in the art. Any portion of the filler material protruding from thegap182 may be considered excess filler material.
• Theconcealer material120 may be used to fill any small surface disturbances in the moldings. For example, theconcealer material120 may be used to conceal or fill thesurface disturbances194 formed in thesurfaces178A and178B of thefirst baseboard molding16A and thesecond baseboard molding16B, respectively. As mentioned above, theconcealer material120 is color matched to the applied color of the paint applied to themoldings12. When thesurface disturbances194 are concealed or filled by theconcealer material120, the concealed surface disturbances are substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B. Theconcealer material120 may be introduced into thesurface disturbances194 using any method known in the art. By way of a non-limiting example, theconcealer material120 may be applied by rubbing the crayon122 (seeFIG.1) over thesurface disturbances194 formed in thesurface178A of thefirst baseboard molding16A while pressing the crayon against thesurface178A. Theconcealer material120 may be similarly rubbed into thesurface disturbances194 formed in thesurface178B of the second baseboard molding16B. Any portion of the concealer material protruding from thesurface disturbances194 may be considered excess concealer material.
• While each of thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, and theconcealer material120 have been described as being used to fill or conceal a particular gap or surface disturbance, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, and theconcealer material120 may be used interchangeably to fill or conceal the gaps formed between abutting portions of themoldings12, the gaps formed between the moldings and the walls or other structures to which the moldings are fastened, and/or the surface disturbances formed in the surfaces of the moldings.
• Thetouchup paint130 may be used to conceal any small surface disturbances or defects in themoldings12. Thetouchup paint130 may also be used to conceal any discolored areas, marks, inconsistencies in the paint, and the like that may render themoldings12 visually unappealing. When applied to themoldings12, thetouchup paint130 is substantially indistinguishable from the paint pre-painted on themoldings16A and16B. Thetouchup paint130 may be used to coat thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, and/or theconcealer material120 to help make those materials substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B. Further, if thetouchup paint130 is sheen matched to the paint pre-painted on themoldings12, the coating may give any filled or concealed areas a sheen that is substantially indistinguishable from the applied sheen of the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B.
• If the abuttingportions180A and180B of themoldings16A and16B do not fit together well, those portions may be sanded, primed, and painted with thetouchup paint130. By way of a non-limiting example, the abuttingportion180A and180B may be sanded using an orbital sander, sanding block, vibrating sander, and the like.
• Themarker140 may be used to apply a coating that coats, fills, or otherwise conceals small surface disturbances or defects in themoldings12. The coating may also be used to conceal any discolored areas, marks, inconsistencies in the paint, and the like that may render themoldings12 visually unappealing. The coating applied by themarker140 to themoldings12 is substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B. Thus, the coating applied by themarker140 may at least partially conceal the surface disturbances or defects in themoldings12. Themarker140 may be used to coat thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, and/or theconcealer material120 to help make those materials substantially indistinguishable from the paint applied to themoldings16A and16B.
• Amethod200 for constructing thesystem10 will now be described with reference toFIG.3. Themethod200 may be performed by a seller of themoldings12 and thesystem10. Infirst block210, a paint is selected. The paint may be selected by selecting a paint to be applied to the moldings. By way of a non-limiting example, 367-W020-165 Acrybond Polar White base coat manufactured by Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky may be selected. Alternatively, the paint may be selected by selecting a paint previously applied to commercially available pre-painted moldings. In such an embodiment, the seller may not sell themoldings12.
• In embodiments where the seller applies the paint to themoldings12, inblock214, the first paint color is applied to themoldings12. Then, thepre-painted moldings12 are offered for sale inblock216. In embodiments where the seller does not apply the paint to themoldings12, block214 is omitted. Optionally, the seller may purchase a quantity of the pre-painted moldings and offer them for sale inblock216; however, this is not a requirement.
• After the paint is selected, inblock220, thecaulk material100 is selected by the seller. Thecaulk material100 selected for thesystem10 inblock220 is color matched to the applied color of the paint selected inblock210. By way of a non-limiting example, 7122 TT Glazing Compound, which may be purchased from A.B. Corliss Company, Inc. may be selected inblock220. Then, thecaulk material100 is offered for sale inblock222.
• Inblock226, thefiller material110 is selected by the seller. Thefiller material110 selected for thesystem10 inblock226 is color matched to the applied color of the paint selected inblock210. By way of a non-limiting example, model number M735-1478PLMM (white) Patchal™ Putty manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina may be selected inblock226. Then, thefiller material110 is offered for sale inblock228.
• Inblock230, theconcealer material120 is selected by the seller. Theconcealer material120 selected for thesystem10 inblock230 is color matched to the applied color of the paint selected inblock210. By way of a non-limiting example, model number M232-11066PLMM (white) Fil-Stik™ Putty Sticks manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina may be selected inblock230. Then, theconcealer material120 is offered for sale inblock232.
• Inblock236, thetouchup paint130 is selected by the seller. Thetouchup paint130 selected for thesystem10 inblock236 is color matched to the applied color of the paint selected inblock210. Thetouchup paint130 may also be sheen matched to the applied sheen of the paint selected inblock210. By way of a non-limiting example, model number M105-2803PLMM White Satin Lacquer manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina, may be selected inblock236. Then, thetouchup paint130 is offered for sale inblock238.
• Inblock240, themarker140 is selected by the seller. Themarker140 selected for thesystem10 inblock240 is color matched to the applied color of the paint selected inblock210. By way of a non-limiting example, model number M280-0202 Ultra™ Mark Touchup Markers manufactured by Mohawk Finishing Products of Hickory, North Carolina, may be selected inblock240. Then, themarker140 is offered for sale inblock242.
• Inoptional block240, thescraping tool150 is selected by the seller. Thescraping tool150 selected is configured to remove excess filler material from any gaps (e.g., thegap182 illustrated inFIG.2) defined between abutting moldings, excess caulk material from any gaps (e.g., thegaps190A and190B illustrated inFIG.2) defined between themoldings12 and the walls170 (or other structures to which the moldings are fastened), and/or excess concealer material from any of the surface disturbances (e.g., thesurface disturbances194 illustrated inFIG.2). Then, thescraping tool150 is offered for sale inoptional block246.
• Inoptional block248, thebuffing tool160 is selected by the seller. Thebuffing tool160 selected is configured to buff any portions of themoldings12 at which thescraping tool150 was used. Thebuffing tool160 selected may also be configured to improve the appearance of the paint selected inblock210 by buffing small surface defects to blend them into the paint. Then, thebuffing tool160 is offered for sale inoptional block250.
• Then, themethod200 terminates. The selection of the various components of thesystem10 inblocks220,226,230,236,240,244, and248 can be performed in any order and themethod200 is not limited to the order depicted inFIG.3. Optionally, two or more of the caulk material, thefiller material110, theconcealer material120, and thetouchup paint130 may be offered for sale together as a kit260 (seeFIG.1). Thekit260 may include themarker140, thescraping tool150, and/or thebuffing tool160.
• Amethod300 for using thesystem10 will now be described with reference toFIG.4. Themethod300 may be performed by a purchaser of themoldings12 and thesystem10. Infirst block310, the purchaser purchases a plurality of thepre-painted moldings12.
• Innext block312, thepre-painted moldings12 are fastened to one or more walls. As mentioned above, a plurality of fasteners are used to fasten each of the plurality of moldings to a wall or other structure (such as another of the moldings). The selection of the plurality of fasteners may be based on the size of the surface disturbances (e.g., thesurface disturbances194 ofFIG.2). It may be desirable to select fasteners that created the smallest and/or least number of surface disturbances. For example, the plurality of fasteners may include small gauge headless nails each having a shaft coated with a heat-activated glue or adhesive. By way of a non-limiting example, the nails may be about 2 inches long and constructed from 23 gauge wire. An example of suitable nails includes item #P6/50-2.5 Grex 23 Gauge Headless Pins—2″.
• The nails may be configured to be loaded into a nail gun (not shown) and driven into themoldings12 by the nail gun. The nail gun may heat the nails to activate any heat-activated adhesive coating their shafts. Alternatively, when a nail is driven into a molding by the nail gun, friction between the nail and the molding may create sufficient heat to activate the heat-activated adhesive coating on the shaft of the nail. It may be desirable to use a nail gun that causes the least amount of damage to the paint on themoldings12, thus reducing the amount of touchup, concealing, and filling of surface disturbances. By way of a non-limiting example, the nail gun used may include a P650 23 Gauge 2″ Headless Pinner manufactured by Grex, a Finish Pro 11 manufactured by Senco, and the like.
• Inblock316, one or more of the components of thesystem10 are purchased. Specifically, inblock316, at least one of thecaulk material100, thefiller material110, theconcealer material120, and thetouchup paint130 is purchased. In some embodiments, themarker140, thescraping tool150, and/or thebuffing tool160 may also be purchased inblock316.
• Inblock320, the one or more of the components of thesystem10 purchased inblock316 are used to finish the plurality of thepre-painted moldings12 fastened to the one or more walls inblock312. For example, if thecaulk material100 was purchased, it may be installed in the gaps between the moldings purchased inblock310 and the one or more walls to which the moldings are fastened. If thefiller material110 was purchased, the filler material may be installed in gaps defined between abutting portions of the moldings purchased inblock310. If theconcealer material120 was purchased, the concealer material may be used to conceal the holes created by the fasteners used inblock312. If thescraping tool150 was purchased, it may be used to remove any excess caulk material, filler material, and/or concealer material from the moldings. If thebuffing tool160 was purchased, it may be used to buff any areas of the moldings in which thescraping tool150 was used. Thebuffing tool160 may also be used to buff other areas of the moldings to improve their appearance. If thetouchup paint130 was purchased, it may be used to coat selected areas of the moldings to conceal surface defects, the filler material, the concealer material, the caulk material, surface disturbances, discolorations, marks, and the like. If themarker140 was purchased, it may be used to apply a coating over surface defects, the filler material, the concealer material, the caulk material, surface disturbances, discolorations, marks, and the like.
• While for illustrative purposes inblock316 selected ones of the components of thesystem10 are purchased at the same time, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that one or more of the components of thesystem10 may be purchased separately at another time and such embodiments are within the scope of the present teachings. Further, the components of thesystem10 may have been purchased as thekit260 depicted inFIG.1.
• The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
• While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
• Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1.-29. (canceled)

30. A kit for use with pre-painted moldings fastened to one or more walls by a plurality of fasteners, the pre-painted moldings comprising a plurality of surface disturbances caused by installation of the plurality of fasteners, the kit comprising:

filler material color matched to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and configured to fill a gap defined between any portions of a pair of the pre-painted moldings that abut one another, the gap filled with filler material being substantially indistinguishable from the paint pre-painted on the abutting pair of the pre-painted moldings; and

concealer material color matched to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and configured to be applied to the pre-painted moldings and after being applied to be substantially indistinguishable from the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings, the concealer material being configured to conceal the plurality of surface disturbances caused by the installation of the plurality of fasteners.

31. The kit ofclaim 30, further comprising:

caulk material color matched to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and configured to fill a gap defined between each of the pre-painted moldings and a wall of the one or more walls on which the pre-painted molding is installed, the caulk filled gap being substantially indistinguishable from the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted molding; and

touchup paint color matched to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and configured to adhere to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and once adhered to be substantially indistinguishable from the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings.

32. The kit ofclaim 30, wherein the concealer material comprises a crayon.

33. The kit ofclaim 30, wherein the concealer material comprises a wax crayon formed by extrusion.

34. The kit ofclaim 30, further comprising:

a scraping tool configured to remove excess concealer material from the pre-painted moldings.

35. The kit ofclaim 34, further comprising:

a buffing tool configured to buff any portions of the pre-painted moldings from which excess concealer material was removed by the scraping tool.

36. The kit ofclaim 30 for use with pre-painted moldings comprising one or more surface defects, the kit further comprising:

a marker configured to apply a coating to the one or more surface defects of the pre-painted moldings, the coating being color matched to the paint pre-painted on the pre-painted moldings and configured to at least partially conceal the one or more surface defects.

37. The kit ofclaim 30, further comprising:

a scraping tool configured to remove excess filler material from the pre-painted moldings.

38. The kit ofclaim 37, further comprising:

a buffing tool configured to buff any portions of the pre-painted moldings from which excess filler material was removed by the scraping tool.

39.-45. (canceled)

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