How to Repair Damaged Trim Molding
- Smooth Damaged Molding. If edges of the damaged trim molding are raised, use sandpaper to smooth them. Then you can apply the wood filler smoothly.
- Apply Wood Filler. With your putty knife, apply wood filler. ...
- Sand and Paint. As with any wood project, proper preparation is the key to a good-looking end result so take the time to create a proper finish.
How to stain trim molding before you cut it?
Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Stain the Wood Download Article
- Shake the stain can vigorously to blend it thoroughly.
- Put rubber gloves on to protect your hands from the stain and place drop cloths on the floor to protect it from drips.
- Apply the stain using a clean cloth or a stain brush. ...
- Allow the stain to dry for a short time. ...
- Wipe the stain off using a clean cloth. ...
How to make custom molding repairs?
Tools & Supplies
- Chemically resistant gloves (some may be supplied in the epoxy kit)
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection (especially if using a grinder)
- Plastic or metal drywall knives
- Tempered hardboard (Masonite)
- Expanded metal lath
- Masking tape
- Washer-head wood screws (GRK cabinet screws work well)
- Epoxy wood repair kit (Elmers or Abatron, etc.)
How to remove mold from wood window trim?
- Combine a tablespoon of borax with a cup of water, then apply this solution to the mold with a soft-bristled brush.
- Scrub away the mold, leaving the borax solution in the wood. ...
- Run a fan or dehumidifier in the room to make sure the surface of the wood dries quickly and completely, with the Borax still under the surface.
How to remove mold on trim?
How to Remove Mold from Wood
- Don protective gear—an air mask is a must.
- Vacuum the area to collect loose spores.
- Use soap and water on painted or stained wood; use bleach on raw wood.
- Sand the area to eliminate residual mold, if necessary.
How do you repair broken wood trim?
First, begin by sanding off any raised edges and splinters with a piece of sand paper. This will make it so the application of filler goes on smoothly. Next, using a putty knife, apply the wood filler over the damaged area. Don't worry about using too much.
How do I fix trim without replacing it?
0:466:31The Holy Grail of Baseboard Repair!!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing drydex for like a corner baseboard repair. Because what happens with drydex it's quite crumblyMoreUsing drydex for like a corner baseboard repair. Because what happens with drydex it's quite crumbly like you see i can just crumble that right off with my with my fingernail.
How do you repair chips in wood trim?
How to Repair Paint Chips on Wood TrimClean the Trim. Squirt a little bit of dish soap into 2 cups of water, and stir it. ... Sand the Edges. Sand the edges of the chipped paint using a fine-grit sandpaper, advises Better Homes & Gardens. ... Apply Wood Filler. ... Apply a Coat of Primer. ... Prepare the Paint. ... Apply the Paint.
Can wood trim be repaired?
Use exterior wood filler to fill and patch cracks in the trim itself as long as it is still structurally sound. First, rough up the surface with coarse sandpaper to ensure a good bond. Then apply wood filler with a putty knife. When it's hard and dry, sand it level with a medium- or fine-grit sandpaper.
How do you touch up wood trim?
Trim Repair: How to Fix and Revive TrimStep 1: Start with a thorough cleaning. Photo 1: Remove old paint spots. ... Step 2: Scrape and sand badly damaged areas. Photo 2: Scrape eroded areas. ... Step 3: Roughen the finish and fill small holes. ... Step 4: Apply stain to hide dings and scratches. ... Step 5: Apply the fresh finish.
How do you fix dented molding?
0:192:14How to Repair Hammer Dents in Wood Trim - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake the heat source. And warm up the knife a little bit you don't want to get the knife too hotMoreTake the heat source. And warm up the knife a little bit you don't want to get the knife too hot just enough to allow the moisture to soak into the wood and pop that dent. Out.
What's the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
The key difference between wood filler and wood putty is that wood filler hardens once dried (so it can be sanded smooth) and wood putty does not. Wood Filler can be used on interior and exterior applications (at least the products I mentioned above), whereas wood putty can be used on interior projects only.
How do you fix peeling trim paint?
It's unlikely any peeling paint will survive scraping, washing and scrubbing. But if it does, you can remove it with a light scuff sanding. Use a 150-grit sanding sponge, which is easier to manipulate than sandpaper and won't gum up as easily. Wipe the trim down with a rag, and apply the primer and first coat of paint.
What is epoxy wood filler?
Epoxy wood fillers are used to repair mainly wooden products, such as doors and windows, although they can be used for various other wooden structures that are susceptible to rot. When it comes to choosing which to use, Epoxy wood fillers come in many different forms.
What is the Difference Between Trim and Molding?
Put simply, trim is a general term that refers to all molding in a home. This can include:
Different Trim and Molding Materials
While molding may have historically been made out of solid wood, today many materials are used to create window trim, baseboards, and crown molding. Before we dive into what you need to know about DIY interior trim repair, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the different kinds of trim.
Common DIY Interior Trim Repairs
All different kinds of trim might require repairing—for instance, window trim might sustain water damage or baseboard trim could be easily scratched and dented. Additionally, since crown molding is tricky to install because the angels need to be cut carefully, sometimes it may need a little TLC as well.
The Mr. Handyman of Keller Difference
Perhaps reading this blog has inspired you to DIY your molding and interior trim repairs. However, at Mr. Handyman of Keller, we understand that not everyone enjoys tackling home improvement tasks by themselves—or, has the time to do so. That’s why our skillful and professional technicians are available to help with your interior trim repairs.
Book an Interior Trim Repair Service Today!
Having finished reading this guide, you may have gained the confidence to repair your damaged molding on your own. Otherwise, you may be excited to enhance your home’s interior but need a little extra support.
How to repair a stained wood trim?
Use epoxy wood filler to repair damage on stained or unpainted trim. Choose a product that matches the color of the trim or use a clear filler. Mix it with hardener according to the instructions that come with it and apply it with a putty knife. Let it set, and before it hardens completely, shape it with a knife. Sand it flat after it has completely hardened.
How to remove splintered wood?
Scrape over the damaged area lightly with a pull scraper to remove splintered wood. Avoid digging out splinters that are still attached to the wood and are repairable, but remove surface splinters that can be a problem when sanding.
Can you replace trim if it is cracked?
Even if the trim is badly gouged and cracked, the job isn't as difficult as it looks, especially if the trim is painted. If the trim is unpainted, and large portions of the wood are missing, you may want to consider replacing it. Advertisement.
Can dogs use pine wood for interior trim?
Most interior trim is made from softwoods, such as pine or fir, and it won't stand up for long to a dog that has mistaken it for a bone. You shouldn't set about to repair the damage until you've impressed your pet with the difference, but having done that, the procedure is straightforward.
Can you use epoxy to replace wood trim?
You can use epoxy filler to fill in large pieces of missing wood on both painted and unpainted trim. If you decide the trim is beyond repair, it's easier to remove an entire piece and replace it than it is to try to cut out the damaged section. Advertisement. references.
How do I clean paint off wood trim?
Scrub with a sponge dipped in the cleaning solution. Then rinse with a spo nge and clear water and wipe off the wood with a dry rag. If there’s paint slopped onto the edges of your trim or spattered on the surface, now’s the time to clean it off.
How to fix scratches on wood?
Hide scratches, chips and worn away finish with a fresh dose of stain. Then wipe the woodwork with a clean rag to remove the excess stain. Let the stain dry overnight. Completely refinishing the area may be the only way to make flawless repairs to badly damaged doors, windows and moldings.
How do I renew a stained wood baseboard?
The first step in renewing your woodwork and stained baseboards is cleaning it to remove grease and grime and create a contaminant-free surface for the new finish. Wash the woodwork with a TSP substitute.
How to get rid of excess polyurethane on wood?
Fold a cotton rag to create a pad. Then dip an edge of the pad into a container of wipe-on polyurethane and press it against the side to wring out the excess. Wipe the polyurethane onto the wood in long strokes in the direction of the wood grain as you would if you were using a brush.
Estimated Time
Rot happens, even to the best of houses. All it takes is wood, water, and warmth, and before you know it solid lumber turns to mush. Exterior trim is the most vulnerable to attack by rot fungi, and it doesn't have to be very old; the trim shown here was installed only 10 years ago.
Remove the Cap
After slicing through the old caulk around the plinth (to avoid damaging the adjacent trim), Vietri pries off the cap molding and levers the plinth free. Its water-blackened backside shows how extensively moisture penetrated this assembly.
Install Flashing
Vietri protects the framing with overlapping strips of sheet-lead flashing. (Copper or waterproofing membrane also work.) Then he protects all the exposed edges of the old trim with a coat of oil-based primer.
Apply Adhesive to Trim Edges
When the primer dries, Vietri squeezes a bead of polyurethane construction adhesive over the edges of the old wood trim. He immediately beds the new plinth's mitered side pieces into the goop, which is both strong and waterproof.
Install New Cap
A PVC-solvent-based cement bonds the mitered pieces of the new plinth to each other and makes the joints waterproof. Vietri also fastens the pieces together with stainless steel trim-head screws. Dabs of acrylic glazing putty hide the screw heads.
Prep for Paint
A light sanding with 220-grit paper readies the plinth for a coat of acrylic-based primer and two coats of acrylic paint. The paint blends the repair with the rest of the trim, but it isn't needed to protect the PVC from the sun.
Remove the Rotted Wood
Before you start, make sure the area is completely dry and then dig all the soft, loose, and rotted wood away. Coat the sound wood that remains with a liquid stabilizer, this will harden the wood and form a solid foundation for the repair putty.
Reinforce Deep Damage
If the damage is very deep, drive nails into the sound wood, every few inches or so to reinforce the patching putty. Use nails with a broad head like sinkers and drive them so the heads are a bit below the finish surface of the wood profile.
Build a Form
If the damage is very deep, build a form around the area to hold the epoxy shape until it sets. Use small pieces of thin plywood or a similar light, rigid material and tack them along the face of the wood profile on all exposed sides to form a cast.
Mix the Filler
Follow the directions on the container to mix enough epoxy to fill the damaged area. Use a small plastic tube like tupperware and a putty knife to mix the epoxy and apply it right away. If the patch is very deep it may take two or more applications to fill it out completely, let each application harden before applying the next.
Apply the Filler
Once the putty is mixed, work quickly to fill the patch before it can set, usually 5 to 10 minutes. If you have small crevices that are impossible to reach with a putty knife, squeeze the epoxy into them using a plastic bag with a small hole cut in one corner as a funnel.
Fill the Form
Fill the form to overflowing with epoxy to allow for sanding and shaping it to form the new wood surface. In order to restore the surface, the filler must protrude above the original level of the surrounding trim.
Shape the Filler
As soon as the epoxy has set you can begin honing it to the shape you need. Remove the plywood form and use a paint scraper to shave the excess down to a rough surface that's level with the surrounding wood. Work before the putty can harden completely, usually about 20 or 30 minutes.
