Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO FILL A LARGE HOLE IN TIMBER
If you have an older home you may want to open it up a li le. If you can’t knock out walls, removing connecting doors helps but leaves holes in the jamb where the latch fi ings and hinges used to sit. Here’s how to patch them.
Gather your supplies
• Epoxy filler
• Undercoat
• Enamel paint to match your door jamb
You’ll also need Screwdriver; sharp knife or chisel; narrow scraper; sandpaper; paintbrush
Here’s how
STEP 1 Unscrew or pry off old striker plate from door and remove. Using a sharp knife or chisel, remove any paint in hole le behind to expose timber.
STEP 2 Mix two-part epoxy filler to product instructions. Mix in small batches but don’t use too much hardener or it will go hard in minutes.
STEP 3 Using a narrow scraper, force filler into hole, making sure it is fully filled. Scrape excess filler off so it
sits just below surface of surrounding timber. Leave to harden.
STEP 4 Mix another small batch of filler and use as a skim coat over hardened filler. Apply with scraper but don’t overfill as this filler is difficult to sand.
STEP 5 Sand hardened filler and surrounding timber together to make them flush. You may have to do another skim coat if filler is still below level of timber.
STEP 6 Using a paintbrush, undercoat filled area and follow with 2 coats enamel paint. Allow to dry and sand lightly between all 3 coats.