Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/19/2008

Question
Eileen, I am excited to tell you that I have "refreshed" most of the wood work in my house per your instructions. Next month, I plan to stain and replace the baseboards in one of the remaining rooms. I truly appreciate your help.  I have one veneer door which is hollow that has a small hole in it - about 1.5 " diameter. I know you probably aren't supposed to repair these hollow doors, but I am willing to try most anything to avoid replacing the door.  Any ideas?? thanks, Laure

Answer
Hi Laure
So glad I was able to give you some help.
And I agree with you about trying to fix things like this.
Our throw away world is getting in trouble.
Now it just so happens that I have made this repair before but you must do exactly like I tell you which I will explain.
First the idea is we want to get something firm inside the hole (oh Gosh I can't believe I said that), but there is no other way to describe it LOL
What I used was a tiny bit of that spray foam insulation.
This is the kind that expands after its sprayed and hardens after curing.
Now heres what you have to listen to...if you put too much in the hole it can actually cause damage to the surrounding area when it expands...good grief.
So its just a tiny one second spray into the hole and thats it.
Then you wait till the foam hardens. It will bulge out of the hole but just cut it back with a utility knife.
Doesn't matter if it is ragged looking.
Next I applied wood filler over the area.
It actually took several applications of wood filler with sanding between to get a nice smooth area.
I painted over this, but there is no reason it could not be stained if you are leaving the doors natural.
Another fix you could try if you take the door off, is getting a piece of 1 1/2 inch dowell cut the same thickness as the door.
Then apply glue to one end and push it into the hole.
Leave the door lying flat till the glue dries. Then fill any gaps with the wood filler and sand.
It will be best if the dowell has to be forced a bit into the hole so its well filled.
So I hope you are getting the idea here Laure, you must have the hole filled firmly. Perhaps you can devise another way too.
Get back to me if this is not clear.
Kind Regards
Eileen