How to Repair a Door Frame with Wood Filler? [Solved]

When you find cracks growing around your door frame, it might be aggravating to witness. Nobody wants to live in a house with such problems.

However, whether your door is ancient or new, it makes absolutely no difference! It’s just that cracks are a common occurrence. They are unavoidable, whether you have used suitable seals or not.

One of the first ideas that may come to mind is to get a new door, but this may be costly. So repairing large and minor cracks and holes using wood fillers is a smart option.

There is a wide selection of wood fillers to choose from. The best part is that it won’t require a lot of equipment. But, how to repair a door frame with wood filler?

To help you, we’ll go over the steps for repairing a door frame with wood fillers, so you don’t have to spend money on a new door.

What is Wood Filler?

Wood filler is a material applied to fill in wood cracks, holes, and dents. In simple words, it is used to fill wood.

You can also use it for smooth wood surfaces and can be a good addition for concealing head nails and wood screws.  

On top of that, it can be applied easily with the help of a putty knife; just press it into the gaps and holes to be filled and smoothen it by letting the knife go over the filler.

What Can Wood Fillers Be Used for?

For various uses, wood fillers can be utilized. Nonetheless, the most general applications are shown here:

Filling Holes

Epoxy fillers work best for filling holes. It can easily form a bond with wood, maintain wood structures, and look good even after staining and sanding.

Scratches

Wood fillers are good for repairing scratches and other undesirable features of furniture surfaces. It is easy to apply and can work great to fix different imperfections for several items in your home.

Fixing Rotten Wood 

Plastic wood fillers are a good choice for this case. It can cover the rotten areas and keep the screws in place.

It’s ideal for restoring rotten wood because it has the same consistency as clay. Thus, you can mold it easily into the shape that fits.

Smoothing Pores

Thin layers of wood filler are the first thing to do when smoothening unrefined wood grain and uneven surfaces. The next step after setting the wood filler is to polish it.

You would be mostly doing this to maintain your wood and furniture pieces looking good as new.

Cleaning Up

Since wood surfaces get easily contaminated, there are available water-based wood fillers. They can be safer and more effective in using and cleaning wood surfaces while keeping their coating and texture intact.

Here are other ways to remove damage from wood before applying wood fillers:

When to Use a Wood Filler in Repairing Door Frames?

One of the times that you would need wood fillers in repairing your door frame is when restoring damage caused by house pets such as dogs.

Assess the Frame Damage

This includes the strength of bite, number of damage, and the type of door frame. You may use thinner and lighter wood filler if there are minimal bites.

If the bite is too deep and you have a relatively old door frame, you will need a stronger filler.

The damaged area can aid in determining what the best solution is. Wood fillers are enough to fix light bites across greater areas.

Filler Selection

Choosing the most appropriate filler is the next step to fix the bite on your door frame. A paintable filler would do well in this case.

For better results,  use the filler, and the layer is the same coat of paint and primer you used on your door frame. This will ensure that there will be no visible changes.

Choosing a Wood Filler Type For Repairing Door Frames

There are various wood species with different finishes and unique techniques.

So choosing the best filler material for your situation is the ideal way to cover those cracks. Thus, here are the best types of wood fillers for your door frames:

Powder Fillers

This filler is a mixture of wood shavings and sawdust. You can add water to it to come up with your solution.

They are suitable for crafting mammoths. On the contrary, they are not made to be strong enough to withstand strong forces.

Latex Fillers

​​This filler is commonly used to fill tiny holes in nails and cabinet cracks. They lack structural integrity, so you cannot drill holes in them.

Epoxy Fillers

This filler differs from common latex filler such that it can strongly bind to the surface and fill in the missing parts of the wood. It has the same properties as wood that can be stained, drilled, and painted on.

What makes them different is that they look like plastic and may be slightly distinguishable.

How To Repair a Door Frame with Wood Filler?

There are lots of available wood fillers that you can choose from. Nonetheless, it is ideal to use the most appropriate filler to match the area that needs repair.

To guide you through it, here are the steps to repair a door frame with wood filler:

Step 1. Scrape

Make sure to scrape all paint flakes and remains with a wire brush from the part to be filled. Use the knife corner blade for stubborn lumps.

Step 2. Mix the Filler

Mix and soften the filler according to the instructions. It can include kneading to soften the mix, stirring to harden it, and adding other substances to meet a similar shade of color.

After so, blend a small amount of stain until the filler and your door frame match in color. Thus, you can check the chart below to see shades of filler suited for your door.

Step 3. Apply

Use a putty knife to apply the mixed filler and scrape the area to be repaired. If there are deep holes, use the blade’s flat side to force the filler deeper into the hole.

Step 4. Dry It Up

Give the applied filler enough time to dry. In case of noticeable shrinking during the drying process,  apply another coating layer right away, following the previous steps.

Slightly fill more amounts on the depression to prevent possible shrinkage.

How to Repair Holes in Hollow-Core Doors Using Fillers

Hollow doors are thin and very easy to break. When breakage happens, replacing doors can be expensive.

To prevent further issues and get it fixed right away,  you can repair it by putting glue on its wood surface. Thus, everything you will need is a material that can provide concrete backing.

Here are the steps to repair hollow doors:

Step 1. Use a knife to clear the hole from broken wood.

Step 2. Insulate the hole with spray foam.

Step 3. Remove the excess foam that reached through the hole flush with the wood surface.

Step 4. Apply drywall compound coat to the foam and flatten it using a drywall knife. Apply another layer and scrape it again after the first layer has dried up.

Step 5. Use a drywall primer and ensure it doesn’t get to the wood.

How to Repair Irregular Holes on Solid Doors Using Fillers

After accidentally punching a hole or mistakenly drilling into your solid door, there is a way to cover the damages. Here are the steps to repair holes on solid doors using fillers:

Step 1. Place a piece of wood to the other door side as support using c clamps.

Step 2. Use epoxy wood filler and a hardener to cover the holes.

Step 3. Make room for a slight concave on the center.

Step 4. Apply a coat on the patch using a drywall compound on both exposed patches ’​ sides after letting the filler harden.

Step 5. Use primer and paint on the patch after the compound has completely dried.

Precautions While Repairing a Door Frame with Wood Fillers

Now that you have smoothed and painted door frames, this section of the article will enumerate the precautions when repairing a door frame using wood fillers.  

1. Choose reliable tools to get a nice finish on your project.
2. Avoid wet areas when applying wood fillers as moisture can affect their effectiveness.
3. Keep the area well-ventilated while applying wood fillers.
4. Allow time and be patient enough for your DIY project.
5. Always remember to sand after applying each layer and cut using sharp blades to ensure no undesirable spots are present.

Best Wood Fillers for Repairing Door Frames

Wood materials, in general, are durable and everlasting. However, when they are repeatedly subjected to moisture accompanied by the wear and tear process, they can form cracks, damages, and other blemishes.

The good thing is that wood fillers have been invented. You no longer have to replace your wood furniture right away, as they are made to fill in those cracks and holes.

Here are the best wood fillers for repairing door frames available in the market today:

DAP Plastic Wood

This wood filler is solvent-based and produced with actual wood fiber, making it looks exactly like wood.

When it is fully dried, it’s more than twice as strong as untreated wood. It can withstand strong forces and be painted on, cut, and drilled.

Lastly, it can strongly hold screws and nails.

Minwax Wood Filler

This filler is great for different types of projects. It can readily fill in defects, cracks, holes, and other blemishes in your wood.

On top of that, it can be used both indoors and outdoors and fix surfaces like decking, doors, flooring,  and more. Once dried, it can be scraped, varnished, and painted on.

3M Bondo Wood Filler

This is the best-recommended filler for exteriors. It is formulated to mix into hues resembling wood while fully rebuilding and restoring damaged wood.

After being applied, it only takes up to 30 minutes to dry up fully. Thus, this shrink-resistant filler can be used for drilling, sawing, and planing.

Elmer’s Wood Filler Interior

This filler is perfect for indoor projects. Its tube is designed to easily get into small cracks, splits,  and damaged painted areas.

Alternatively, its finished formulation allows it to counter shrinking and cracking, making them easy to be sanded out perfectly. The finished look will give you a white color to easily blend with your furniture, doors, and flooring.

Gork’s Goodfella Wood and Grain Filler

This filler is ideal for bigger projects. It’s formulated to be water-based to fill in the cracks, knots, and split on various surfaces.

It allows easy sanding after getting dried up. Before application, it can already be finished and stained after being tinted or cured.

FAQs

1. Can I Still Fix Big Door Frame Damage Using Fillers?

It depends on the damage. If it is just a scratch, you can sand it to smoothen the finish. You can also fill the space with epoxy for bigger holes and let it dry.

After it dries up, sand it again to smoothen the surface. You can finish the treated area by applying a layer of primer and two paint coats.

2. How Do You Fix Rotted Wood around a Door Frame?

Repair wood with polyester filler and then apply a wood hardener and filler. On the other hand, to repair the rotted door frame, remove rotted wood with a 5-in-1 or other pointed tools.

Next, coat the rotted door frame area with a wood hardener as shown. Mix polyester wood filler or Bondo wood filler and press it into the recess using a putty knife.

3. How Big of a Gap Can Wood Filler Fill?

Wood fillers can fill large gaps and deep holes irrespective of size. This is why you are advised to buy several products that can complete your work and not leave you stranded halfway through.

Powdered wood fillers in big bags are suitable for big jobs and long shelf life.

4. Can We Use Wood Fillers Outside? Are There Waterproof Fillers Available?

Yes, you can use wood fillers outside. Some fillers are designed specially to use outdoors, as they are weather-resistant fillers.

But you can use them outdoors and indoors as well. All those exterior wood fillers are waterproof.

5. What is the Average Drying Time before Sanding?

It mostly depends on the type of fill. Applying the filler in thin layers and leaving it for some time before every application dries out quickly.

Applying a filler in a small container will quickly dry out and sand after 30 minutes of drying time. While for deeper fills, leave it to cure for about 2 to 3 hours before sanding to get a smooth, even finish.

Repair Your Door With a Wood Filler!

Before making any type of do-it-yourself home repair, ensure that you know the steps and products you will do and choose. So always go for the best-reviewed products and try out procedures. Because if you don’t, it will be a mess.

You want your finished work to end up looking like it was done by a professional, and you hope it lasts. By following the steps and recommended products in this article, you are now more likely to succeed in your next project.