
Trim Repair: How to Fix and Revive Trim
- Start with a thorough cleaning. Soften old paint along the edges of trim and stained baseboards with alcohol. ...
- Scrape and sand badly damaged areas. Scrape away badly weathered finish. A carbide paint scraper removes the old finish much faster than sandpaper.
- Roughen the finish and fill small holes. Rub the wood with an abrasive pad to create a slightly roughened surface for the new finish. ...
- Apply stain to hide dings and scratches. Hide scratches, chips and worn away finish with a fresh dose of stain. ...
- Apply the fresh finish. Restore the shine with a fresh coat of polyurethane. Wipe on poly gives you a faster, smoother finish with less mess than brush-on poly.
How to repair damaged trim molding?
Or a pet could chew or scratch trim molding. Save yourself some money and repair damaged molding yourself, rather than replacing it. Here’s how. If edges of the damaged trim molding are raised, use sandpaper to smooth them. Then you can apply the wood filler smoothly. With your putty knife, apply wood filler.
How do you fix decayed exterior wood trim?
If exterior trim has minor decay, epoxies and sealants can be used to seal the wood and reduce the chances of further decay. In some cases, when decayed trim is found, building framing, wall sheathing, insulation, or even electrical components in the vicinity could also be damaged, since moisture could penetrate past and behind the damaged trim.
Why should I replace my exterior wall trim?
This is especially true when the home has wood or wood composite trim. Extensive wood rot. Decayed trim is not only a cosmetic concern, but severely decayed trim could indicate that the exterior wall components behind the trim could also be damaged. Decayed wood is also more conducive to wood destroying organisms.
How do you fix dents in wood trim molding?
If your wood filler is water-based, use a wet finger to smooth the wood filler. Allow the filler to dry for 24 hours. For a smaller area of damage (such as dents and cracks in your trim molding), buy wood putty. To patch larger areas, use an epoxy filler.

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.
Can wood trim be repaired?
If you're working with wood trim or crown molding, you can refinish it to repair scratches and shallow dents. Simply sand down your trim to remove the current stain and to smooth out the damaged areas.
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.
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 repair trim before painting?
Sand the trim with a fine-grit sanding sponge. Sponges get into crevices where sandpaper can't go and apply even pressure. Then apply the first coat of paint, let it dry at least 24 hours, lightly sand it again for a completely smooth surface, and apply the second coat.
How do you fix a broken molding?
0:161:38How to Replace Damaged Molding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe material we'll be using to make this repair is polyester resin or auto body filler. It comes inMoreThe material we'll be using to make this repair is polyester resin or auto body filler. It comes in two parts the resin itself and a catalyst that's added from a small tube.
How do you fix gouges in wood?
STEP 1: Sand and clean the wood surface in need of repair. ... STEP 2: Use a preconditioner on the damaged area to prevent color discoloration. ... STEP 3: Apply the wood filler using a putty knife. ... STEP 4: Allow the wood filler to dry completely.More items...•
How do you repair wood baseboards?
0:332:48How to repair damaged baseboards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut wood fibers pressed. Together first thing i'm going to do is spread on some joint compound. AndMoreBut wood fibers pressed. Together first thing i'm going to do is spread on some joint compound. And sometimes it's hard to stick. So you might want to just use your fingers to get it into the fibers.
How do you make old wood trim look new again?
0:130:58How Do I Restore Wood Trim? : Woodworking Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver the years or. It's it's gotten scratched. With a little bit of time. And effort you can make itMoreOver the years or. It's it's gotten scratched. With a little bit of time. And effort you can make it look like new without going to too much trouble.
How do you fix chewed wood trim on a dog?
You can use an epoxy wood filler to repair the gouges as well. For this you can use something like LePage Wood Filler. You can pick out different tints as well to better match your wood trim. Then you can go in with your sand paper and sand it until it's smooth.