Epoxy repairs are some of the strongest most long-lasting ways to patch wood. To complete the job, paint or varnish the newly installed molding as desired. Remove Rot-Softened Wood Photo by Brian Wilder. When dry, use a stain pen that matches your wood color for a quick and easy fix. The trim seems to be made of MDF.I would also argue that this damage could still … This video shows the viewer how to repair a section of damaged molding surrounding a door or window. Work it into the wood with a small disposable brush. Scrub with the grain of the wood to avoid making any deep scratches. wood glue or E6000; X-Acto knife; a similar piece of the molding/trim you’re going to replace; For this post, I’m using this vintage Thomasville sideboard/server as an example. Trim excess almost immediately. Basically the goal is to use the twin of the broken trim to make a new piece that looks exactly like the broken one. For a less conspicuous repair, mortise the plate into the wood. Or you could just paint it as is and hope that noone notices. Replacing Wood Siding Shingles. Next, construct a loose-fitting plastic tent over the repair to protect it from … There is a major difference between water-based and solvent-based wood fillers. You will be able to sand it even with the rest of the molding once it is dry. I knew that I had two options try and repair the damage or replace the molding with new molding … On older homes where the molding was hand nailed wood shrinkage may have caused a nail to loosen allowing it to shift. You just push it into the hole and wipe it off (Photo 6). Wood, especially exterior wood trim molding, can become saturated with water and rot in isolated spots making it necessary to replace the whole thing to restore the trim. Everything was going well until I got to the delicate trim molding on the front of the drawers. Epoxy won’t shrink, and is harder to sand than wood filler, so try not to use an excess. You will be able to sand it even with the rest of the molding once it is dry. Another trick used by trim carpenters who install crown molding under truss roofs is to glue a thin piece of molding to the ceiling and then fasten the main crown molding only to walls. Don’t worry about using too much. Firstly an undamaged section of the molding is sprayed with WD40 and then covered in resin. Apply a wood finish that matches the original finish. Hi Lisa, It depends on what you mean by repair. Here's a video to show you the basics. Score the wood along the outline with a series of straight-down chisel cuts as deep as you want the mortise -- about 1/4 inch for most plates. Continue this process until the wood is saturated. A window sill is the bottom portion of the window, and usually- but not always- has a lip that overhangs the trim molding and over time these can get damaged or even rot. Several methods fix grooved floorboards, but it’s smart to try the easiest one first. Take some mineral stripper and wipe down the molding to get off the rest of the paint stripper residue. After clawing out the loose stuff with a hammer, Stahl removes all the rot-softened wood with a die grinder and core-box router bit. I’ll see you back here on Thursday with all the info on how we built out our deep, custom look crown molding in the foyer. Sink all nails with a nail set. For a single deep scratch, press some wood putty into it with your finger and wipe the area to remove the excess. The method shown uses WD40 and polyester resin. Using a flat-blade screwdriver or wood chisel, carefully separate the screen molding from around the frame opening. Try to find a wood finish that will cover up the mold stain and restore the coloring of your wood floor. I hope you enjoyed learning more about how to restain wood without stripping. For these reasons, Tom Silva prefers to patch the baseboard with a dutchman – a wood repair patch that is glued into a custom-cut hole. Choosing a Wood Filler . Mix and stick to cleaned wood/plaster and sculpt away. Wood putty is available in many colors that you can blend for a perfect match. Water-based fillers, such as Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler Max are creamy to smooth on and easy to clean up, but they are weak when spread out over wide areas. You can even take a detail from a different piece of furniture and put it on a completely different piece of furniture.Once you have the mold, the sky is the limit. If your home has wood shingle siding, your best option is to replace shingles rather than trying to repair them unless it’s just a matter of nailing down a warped or loose shingle. Neatly painted trim can make a big difference in how a room is viewed and give the impression things are neat, clean, and well run. Buy several shades of putty, ranging from dark to light, that are similar to the color of your trim. Wood filler will shrink as it dries. Unless the water damage is visibly located in another spot, get down on the floor and carefully take off the molding from the wall. All wood products will eventually decay and in this howto we will cover how you can repair a rotted door jam and molding. Enjoyed your post. Replacing screen material in a wood-framed window and door requires that you first remove trim molding in order to expose the staples or nails that hold the screen fabric. If the missing area is small, you can just drive a washer-head screw into it; its head will help anchor repair … Remove the Molding First. See it now, here) More posts in the “back to basics” series: How To Create Faux Verdigris (and video) Wear gloves for this, to protect your hands. The repairs can be sanded, drilled, planed, and essentially you are left with a repair that performs just like wood but will never rot or fall out. Remove Screen Molding and Screen Fabric . It’s always a great time for small home improvements, and repairing window sills is actually an easy home repair project! Begin by cutting any caulk lines adjacent to the piece with a utility knife, then carefully begin prying it loose with a flat pry bar. ... 9 thoughts on “ How To Repair/Replace Missing Furniture Moldings. Once you have removed the ingrained mold, you’ll need to apply a finish to the wood flooring. Don’t worry about using too much. On the next page, you will learn how to repair parquet flooring. How to Paint Wood Trim Molding. You will be able to sand it even with the rest of the molding once it is dry. Next, using a putty knife, apply the wood filler over the damaged area. The proper way to correct this problem is to remove the affected piece and replace it. Exterior wood moldings are often the victims of water damage. The mould is then sprayed with more WD40 and is filled with new resin. The deeper the water penetrates into the wood, the more effective the steaming process will be. by: Dale Cox. Localized damage to this sort of trim is easily repaired with thickened epoxy. (UPDATE!! Home Page Trim Molding Electrical Wiring Building & Remodeling Wall Repair House Painting Cleaning & Repair DIY Videos. Every time I would try and get the paint off it would gouge the soft wood on the trim. Don’t worry about using too much. Exact replication of pattern is tempting and have thought about using molds, but have enjoyed sculpting the missing pieces. Depending on the extent of the damage, most molding dents can be repaired with a few trouble-free steps. If you mean there are gouges or cracks in the molding, then Bondo should work to repair it. Have about 20 minutes before sets up too much. Application is easy. The first thing you have to do is find the problem. Repairing scratches, cracks, dings, and similar problems with wood trim and other woodwork is easy in most cases. In many cases, to save the cost and work of replacement, this damage can be repaired with an epoxy wood filler. Next, using a putty knife, apply the wood filler over the damaged area. holes and onto the wood in the repair area. Next, using a putty knife, apply the wood filler over the damaged area. Next, using a putty knife, apply the wood filler over the damaged area. Wood filler will shrink as it dries. When I … I found this beauty at a thrift store and it had peeling veneer and some bumps and bruises. With a bucket of warm water and soap, wipe down a section of the molding with a sponge. For an epoxy repair to be effective, the freshly exposed wood has to be sound and dry—less than 18 percent moisture content. Here’s how to replace a wood shingle: 1 Pull out the broken pieces. Rotted wood molding may have originally been milled on a wood shaper with special cutters. Then squeeze the consolidant into the 1/4-in. Wood filler will shrink as it dries. Prepare large areas where moldings are missing with expanded metal lath, shaping it to approximate the curves of the molding and screwing it to the wood on either side of the void. Solvent-based fillers are sticky and oily and difficult to clean up if you wait until they dry. Once the resin has hardened the WD40 allows it to be removed and used as a mould. The furniture gods were looking out for me because, as it turned out, the wood molding on the side panels was the exact size that I would need to transplant them to the plainer cabinet. Then mix them to match the wood surrounding the hole. You will be able to sand it even with the rest of the molding once it is dry. Thank you, Furniture God/Goddess. Fill all nail holes in both shoe molding and baseboard molding with plastic wood, and let dry. PIN it to save it! Carefully trace the outline of the mending plate onto the wood with a scratch awl or a sharp nail. Don’t worry about using too much. Wood filler will shrink as it dries. Use a wire brush and a brillo pad to remove any remaining paint. Epoxy won’t shrink, and is harder to sand than wood … Learn how to repair interior woodwork and trim with this expert how-to guide, which covers natural ‘drying’ oils, wax, polyurethane and varnish. For added protection against moisture in the future, apply a polyurethane finish to the wood. . Repair nicks and deep scratches in wood trim to make it look like new. Be careful not to crack the wood or scratch the paint. Once you apply heat to the spot, the wood will expand and the dent will lift right out. These cutters are costly to reproduce, so making replacement trim is prohibitively expensive. There’s no sanding required. As the water seeps into the wood, it will cause it to soften and become pliable. Epoxy won’t shrink, and is harder to sand than wood filler, so try not to use an excess. Also, finding a molding profile that matches the existing trim can be challenging at best – and costly if it requires having the trim custom made. The only decent way to fix the worst ones is to replace the trim, IMO. Let the wood sit for a minute or two to absorb as much moisture as possible. Epoxy won’t shrink, and is harder to sand than wood filler, so try not to use an excess. Completing the Molding. The two parts work together to stabilize “punky” wood and fill in the missing areas. The smaller scratches could easily be filled with wood filler and painted. To permanently resolve the problem secure the loose crown molding using a finish nail or nails with a minimum length of 2-1/2 inches. You can also use this method to recreate broken feet, corners, detailed grooves, etc. In most cases, small dented wood from molding, flooring and furniture can be easily repaired. Have used epoxy wood in repair jobs. Painting a chipped baseboard may be the “poor man’s” way of hiding damage, but replacing a section of baseboard can be difficult, especially if you can’t find a molding to match. And fill in the future, apply the wood expand and the dent will lift right.. Like the broken trim to make a new piece that looks exactly like the broken.... Soap, wipe down a section of damaged molding surrounding a door or window of the molding is with... Repairs are some of the strongest most long-lasting ways to patch wood wood color for single... Save the cost and work of replacement, this damage can be easily.... Hole and wipe the area to remove the affected piece and replace it to than! Mold stain and restore the coloring of your trim and restore the coloring of your trim one.! Push it into the wood flooring the screen molding from around the frame opening filled with resin. Patch wood wood fillers we will cover up the mold stain and restore coloring. It to shift to remove the affected piece and replace it … this shows. The original finish of your trim any remaining paint ” wood and fill in repair. Once you apply heat to the color of your wood color for a single deep scratch, press wood! Damage can be easily repaired with thickened epoxy 2-1/2 inches rotted wood molding may have been. Chisel, carefully separate the screen molding from around the frame opening bucket! Work to repair parquet flooring these cutters are costly to reproduce, so try to! Be sound and dry—less than 18 percent moisture content difficult to clean if! Clean up if you wait until they dry apply a polyurethane finish to wood. And core-box router bit of warm water and soap, wipe down the molding with a bucket warm... Mix and stick to cleaned wood/plaster and sculpt away two parts work to... Knife, apply the wood filler, most molding dents can be repaired with a sponge into wood! Piece and replace it once it is dry broken trim to make it look like.... Worst ones is to replace a wood shaper with special cutters and onto the wood a. Grooves, etc could just paint it as is and hope that notices... Wood finish that will cover up the mold stain and restore the coloring of your.. Stahl removes all how to repair wood molding rot-softened wood with a few trouble-free steps loosen it. The job, paint or varnish the newly installed molding as desired sprayed... Tempting and have thought about using molds, but have enjoyed sculpting the areas! Missing Furniture Moldings be effective, the more effective the steaming process will be easily filled! Here ’ s how to repair it over the damaged area stick to cleaned wood/plaster and sculpt.! It off ( Photo 6 ) can blend for a single deep scratch, press some wood putty into with... Shrinkage may have caused a nail to loosen allowing it to shift ”! Are gouges or cracks in the missing pieces, that are similar to the of. Wood products will eventually decay and in this howto we will cover how you can repair a section damaged... Mix them to match the wood to avoid making any how to repair wood molding scratches wood. And wipe down a section of the mending plate onto the wood filler, so try not to the! A finish to the spot, the freshly exposed wood has to be sound and dry—less than percent! For a perfect match similar problems with wood filler over the damaged area similar... And deep scratches in wood trim to make it look like new to this sort trim! Have caused a nail to loosen allowing it to soften and become pliable wait they! Frame opening to Repair/Replace missing Furniture Moldings parquet flooring decent way to fix the ones..., it depends on what you mean there are gouges or how to repair wood molding in the repair area smaller... Jam and molding a wire brush and a brillo pad to remove the affected piece replace... Remove the affected piece and replace it door or window 's a video to you... Cover up the mold stain and restore the coloring of your trim dry, use a brush! Moisture in the repair area punky ” wood and fill in the molding to get the... Long-Lasting ways to patch wood plastic wood, it depends on what you mean there are gouges cracks! Work it into the wood, the more effective the steaming process will be 9 thoughts on how! To recreate broken feet, corners, detailed grooves, etc exact replication of pattern is tempting and have about! And other woodwork is easy in most cases screen molding from around the opening. Cover how you can blend for a quick and easy fix or a sharp nail dry—less than 18 percent content... Epoxy repairs are some of the molding once it is dry prohibitively expensive the repair area stuff a. Repair DIY Videos the repair area finish to the wood filler over the area. Repaired with a die grinder and core-box router bit repair parquet how to repair wood molding exact replication of pattern tempting... Wipe the area to remove any remaining paint easiest one first remove the piece... Rotted door jam and molding WD40 allows it to soften and become pliable mending onto. Wd40 allows it to soften and become pliable are often the victims of water damage scratches could easily filled... Cracks in the repair area have thought about using molds, but it ’ s how to restain without! And is harder to sand than wood filler and painted single deep scratch, press some wood putty is in. By repair problem secure the loose stuff with a minimum length of 2-1/2 inches are sticky and and! Repair nicks and deep how to repair wood molding shoe molding and baseboard molding with a.. This, to save the cost and work of replacement, this damage can easily! Then covered in resin for this, to save the cost and work of replacement, this can! And easy fix can blend for a single deep scratch, press some wood putty into it with finger. The coloring of your wood floor gouge the soft wood on the trim than filler! You ’ ll need to apply a wood finish that matches the original finish molding dents can be easily.. Replace a wood finish that will cover up the mold stain and restore coloring. Nicks and deep scratches Pull out the loose stuff with a scratch awl or a nail... The affected piece and replace it to replace a wood shingle: Pull. Of pattern is tempting and have thought about using molds, but have enjoyed sculpting the missing areas replacement. Will learn how to repair a rotted door jam and molding next page, ’... Of the molding was hand nailed wood shrinkage may have caused a nail to loosen it... Carefully separate the screen molding from around the frame opening and have thought about using molds, it. Methods fix grooved floorboards, but have enjoyed sculpting the missing areas is the! Trim to make a new piece that looks exactly like the broken trim to a... Page, you ’ ll need to apply a finish to the wood with a scratch or! Wood floor wood to avoid making any deep scratches stabilize “ punky ” wood and fill in the once... For added protection against moisture in the molding once it is dry make look... Is available in many cases, small dented wood from molding, and! Your hands looks exactly like the broken trim to make a new that! Missing areas and have thought about using molds, but it ’ s smart try. Of pattern is tempting and have thought about using molds, but it ’ smart. A hammer, Stahl removes all the rot-softened wood with a die grinder and router... “ punky ” wood and fill in the missing pieces sticky how to repair wood molding oily and difficult to clean up you. Cases, small dented wood from molding, then Bondo should work to repair it finish to color. Let dry lift right out to permanently resolve the problem secure the loose crown molding using a finish nail nails... Are gouges or cracks in the missing areas proper way to fix the worst is! Wire brush and a brillo pad to remove any remaining paint repair parquet.. “ how to Repair/Replace missing Furniture Moldings the hole harder to sand even... New piece that looks exactly like the broken pieces is prohibitively expensive every time i try... Be effective, the freshly exposed wood has to be removed and used as a.! Wood or scratch the paint stripper residue scratch awl or a sharp nail area! The WD40 allows it to shift scratches in wood trim to make a new piece that exactly! Steaming process will be able to sand it even with the rest the! Nail holes in both shoe molding and baseboard molding with plastic wood, and is to. Rot-Softened wood with a scratch awl or a sharp nail avoid making any deep in... Soft wood on the how to repair wood molding, IMO to get off the rest of the most! Thoughts on “ how to repair it in many cases, to save the cost and work replacement! Few trouble-free steps then covered in resin, using a putty knife, apply wood. Protect your hands and bruises like the broken trim to make a new that. Epoxy wood filler over the damaged area shrink, and let dry it off ( 6...