Repair A Small Hole In An Untreated, Wooden Garage Door

12 January 2016
 Categories: , Blog


An untreated, wooden garage door may weaken after being exposed to moisture for extended amounts of time. If a small hole is present in your garage door's surface due to being exposed to inclement weather conditions, repair it with the following steps. Once you have completed the project, the door will be damage-free and you can easily add a coat of wood protector to the wood to prevent additional problems.

Materials

  • long-handled scrub brush
  • bucket of soapy water
  • water hose
  • putty knife
  • power sander
  • sandpaper
  • tack cloth
  • wood putty
  • container of wood protector
  • wooden stick
  • paint tray
  • paint roller (with frame and handle)

Clean And Sand The Damaged Section

Make sure that the door is closed and secured properly. Remove dirt from the damaged area with a scrub brush that has been dipped into soapy water. Rinse the door's exterior off with a water hose. Wait for the wood to dry. Use a power sander to remove rough edges around the damaged section. If any wood is splintering near the hole, remove it with the edge of a putty knife. Once the damaged area feels smooth, move a tack cloth over its surface to remove sanding residue. 

Fill The Hole With Wood Putty

Remove a small handful of wood putty from its container and move it around between your hands for several minutes until it is soft and easy to work with. Press the wood putty into the hole. Use a putty knife to smooth out the putty on the door's exterior side. Wait a few hours for the putty to harden. Briefly sand the hardened putty with an electric sander. Remove dust particles that are on the door's surface with a tack cloth.

Apply A Coat Of Wood Protector

Use a wooden stick to mix a bucket of wood protector that is designed for exteriors until it is smooth and an even consistency. Pour the protector into a paint tray. Use a paint roller to apply an even coat of the wood protector to the entire door's exterior. Move the roller over the door's surface in straight lines. Wait the recommended amount of time for the protector to dry. After this occurs, you can use the garage door as you normally do.

The protector will prevent moisture from penetrating the wood and causing damage. Reapply a new coat of protector to the door's surface after a few years if you notice that the original one is peeling off. 

If you have more questions, talk to a professional like AAA Garage Door, Inc.


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