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Step 4. Drive the nails through the pilot holes and into the framing members behind. Set the nailheads below the surface with a nail set. Make the recesses at least 1/16 in. deep.

Step 5. lf you are going to stain or apply a natural finish, then select a wood filler that is the same color as the wood. If the surface is going to be painted, any color filler will do. Force the filler into the nailholes and into any gaps in the joint. Rub the filler with your fingers to smooth it out.

Step 6. Once the filler is dry, sand it smooth with a sanding block covered with 120-grit sandpaper. Also sand the scarf joint so that both boards are flush. Brush off or vacuum up the sanding dust.

Step 7. Once the baseboards are installed, they are usually covered with a shoe molding that is pressed tight to the floor. This second molding will cover any spaces between the baseboard and the floor. The shoe is installed with scarf joints just like the baseboards.