Painting - new baseboards on old plaster walls

Hey Folks-

I'm installing some new wood baseboards and quarter-rounds in our 70 year old kitchen. I've cut the wood... and have hit my first problem. The baseboards do not sit flush against the old plaster walls. In some places there is up to a 1/4" gap between the baseboard and the wall. I'm imaging I'll fill the gaps with some kind of plaster and/or caulk. However that is a bugger because the kitchen walls were freshly painted a little over a year ago (I'm concerned my touch-up paint will be a slightly different color than the current wall color).

Any suggestions (or specific instructions) on how I go about tackling the problem the right way are welcome. Thanks in advance!

Moved you over to paint section. These guys should know better. :)

I find when installing baseboard at no times have the walls all been straight enough not to have some big gaps. I use a air brad nailer with 2'' brads and try to suck in the moulding by shooting them at the studs first and then at the gap at an angle. Two brads crossing will help pull it in with a gentle nod with a wood block and hammer -sometimes. Then latex caulk fills after a couple of build up runs. Other choices would be to level out the whole wall ( a lot of work and skill needed). Surprisingly the big gaps after filling with caulking are not as noticeable as you would think. Try it. lol......jeff

Yeah, use latex caulk to fill the gaps, wiping off the excess on the wall with a damp rag as you go. It might require 2 applications to fill the biggers gaps.