Repairing Damaged Wood Trim Is Easier Than You Think. Here's How To Do It

When wood trim becomes damaged, a sophisticated home can quickly look worn-down. Unfortunately, wear and tear is nearly unavoidable when it comes to this material because it's susceptible to scratches, cracks, and other forms of damage. This is why it's important for homeowners to understand how to repair damaged wood trim. Don't worry — the process is a lot easier than you think. Bob Beacham, House Digest's expert carpenter and remodeler, explained how to do it in an exclusive interview. According to the expert, you'll need to sand the damaged area, apply wood filler as needed, sand the area flat after the filler dries, and apply paint so that everything is cohesive once again.

When you are done, your wood trim should look nearly as good as new. Keep in mind that damaged wood trim will need to be replaced rather than repaired in some circumstances. "There's a limit to how big a dent or hole you can fill effectively," Beacham explained to House Digest. "Many fillers say about ½ [inches] maximum. Otherwise, the filler shrinks to the extent it leaves a visible line or might even fall out. If there are signs of rot, you may need to remove more wood than is sensible to repair." Luckily, replacing the trim is a relatively easy process too. According to Beacham, you can purchase door and window frame moldings from a hardware store and pin them to the wall with a nail gun or install them using adhesive. Search a hardware store or visit a local furniture maker for the trim you need if you're having trouble finding the right match.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Beacham detailed the steps you need to follow in order to replace damaged wood trim successfully. You should find his advice useful regardless of whether you need to repair wooden trim on furniture, a door frame, or a window frame. First, sand the damaged area and apply filler. "You could use any wood filler, not just epoxy, but not wood putty," Beacham explained. "Use a bit of sandpaper to roughen the surrounding area. Fill with the chosen product." There are a few different tools you can use to get the filler exactly where you need it. "A spatula, a painter's trowel, or even a piece of stiff plastic like an old credit card can be used to smooth it a little," Beacham shared. There will be a bit of downtime before you can complete the next steps. "Wait until it dries, sand down," Beacham said, explaining the proper way to use wood filler. "Repaint."

The process looks a little different if you have splits within your wood trim that need to be repaired. "You want something like a pallet knife or small trowel to prise the gap open a little, then push wood glue in (like Titebond III, not filler)," the carpenter explained. Make sure that you apply a generous amount of glue. Next, you will need to press the split piece back together. Wipe away excess glue and glue residue. The final step is to use painter's tape to hold the wood together while it dries. "Be generous with this, it costs pennies," Beacham advised.

Beacham went on to share a few tips you can use to ensure success. If you have no previous wood trim repair experience, this should help you tackle the process with a little more confidence. The first tip is helpful for those who need to fill big gaps. "Wood filler has a tendency to shrink, so largish holes might need a double fill," Beacham explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "It can also crack eventually, so door frames might be a problem over time because of the regular impact of closing."

Repairing splits in wood trim can be tricky, so Beacham provided additional guidance on that as well. "For splits, don't use anything except painter's tape," he shared. "It holds well but comes off easily. Other tapes might lift the surrounding paint. Painter's tape can lose tack over time, so if you've had a roll in a cupboard for a while, buy new." When using painter's tape for splits, cut the pieces you need and stick them nearby so you can quickly grab them when needed. You will need to hold the split together with one hand, so this makes it easier to pick up the tape sections with your free hand. According to the expert, you should also prep properly, follow all product instructions, and ensure the filler dries all the way through before you attempt to sand it or remove painter's tape.