How To Fill Chips & Dings On MillworkOkay, my topic today isn't exactly thrilling, but I think it is helpful! While decorating projects are far more enjoyable, keeping up with repairs both big and small is key to maintaining the value and appearance of a home.
After living in our house for nearly three years there are a few repairs to attend to...including the shower rod mystery in the kid's bathroom that I still haven't addressed. But let me start with an easy one, filling in a sizable ding on the door frame leading out to the garage.
Who doesn't have at least a few of these around the house? This particular chip is at eye level and I notice it nearly every time I pass through the door. Why? I don't know, that is just the way I am. So I finally decided to take a few minutes and make it go away!
Taking a little wood filler on the tip of the finger...
...apply over the chip, filling in and wiping away the excess.
After letting the filler dry for about 15 minutes, lightly sand with fine grit sand paper until its surface is flush with the trim.
Hopefully you have a can filled with leftover paint from when the millwork was painted...if not, it's probably a good idea to get a quart for touch ups.
Take a foam brush and dip into the paint.
With a corner of the brush, carefully apply paint over the filled area and lightly wipe away any excess with a cotton rag or tip of the finger. Repeat if necessary, after paint dries, for full coverage.
Looking good! Unless you look very carefully you'd never know there was once a chip on the door frame at this spot. Now to just get that shower rod repaired...
31 comments:
It's amazing how something that only takes a few minutes to do, takes forever to get to. At least that's the case in my house.
Mary..You are so completely right!! I've been looking at this ding since last SUMMER!!!!!! Janell
Great tip! I have a good number of these dings in our doorways from the movers. If I could ever get myself unpacked this will have to be a project I bring to the top of the list!
I use that wood filler and it's a great product. It sands to a nice smooth finish. You're inspiring me to attend to touch ups this weekend! Isn't it funny how the eye always goes to the flaw? Errr. :)
Once again a woman after my own heart. I'm obsessed with touching up dings and marks on woodwork and walls. Such great steps to maintain your woodwork to it's original glory. With 4 kids it was keep it up or pay the price down the road. Everyone of your readers should appreciate this tip. Great day to you Janell!
I do agree that taking care of little things like this really make the difference in the appearance of your home. Although I have to admit I am guilty of letting them go way too long! I recently filled in a few holes from blinds we removed from some windows and used this same technique. The person at the paint store said the new paint would not match exactly because over time oil paint will tend to yellow. Not to worry however, as the new touch up will change color as well and within a year you will not be able to tell the difference.
Ironic! We are getting our house ready to go on the market and I need to do this in MANY places! Thanks for the scoop--
A necessary evil!! I'm the same way we are so needing our trim re painted and I'm fixated on it every time I'm in the foyer taking the dog out and bending closer to attach her leash. Urghhh!!
Maureen
Your post is so timely as I'm painting my LR trim in a very old house. It's worn and chipped in lots of places, so it's going to be a lot of work, but so satisfying when done!http://loftandcottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/living-room-painting-progress.html
You have no idea how much I needed this tip, and I'm dealing with something very similar. You're my hero of the day! :)
You just reminded me of my "not so fun" to do list. My husband is usually on ding repair duty, but he's been slacking lately.Thank you for the tip- I may just get this crossed off my list in the next few days. Have a wonderful day!
Ann-Marie
Great tip! this should work for filling holes from picture hanging too. Thank you!
oooh! thanks for this post. I need to be inspired to tend to these pesky things.
Janell, If you get a sec., i am asking for opinions over at my blog today on my style. If not, no problem!
enjoying your blog!
-{darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com
Why are these quick and easy repairs always so far down on the list of things to get done?!
great tip. thanks for sharing.
Sometimes you can't write about the exciting stuff. I write about mattresses all day. Not very exciting stuff, but like your post here, its something everyone will actually USE! Keep up the 'everyday' tutorials.
Thanks for the reminder. Most of the time I'm so ready to do the "fun" stuff that I forget about the stuff that helps the fun stuff look better, last longer, etc.
Kudos to you for getting around to jobs like these! We all have a few of them, for sure. Right now, I'm promising myself I will repaint a piece of wall which our electrician helpfully repaired and painted... too bad he got slightly the wrong shade!
Keeping up with repairs isn't always fun, but it's well worth the time. I'm sure you've inspired many people to do this very project this week.
I just saw two areas the other day that need this help. Ugghh...hate this job!
juliesfreshperspectives.blogspot.com
This is on my to-do list! We've got dings all over our house (5 kids and 2 dogs)... think I'll ever get ahead of it? At least I know now that it's not rocket science. Thanks, Janell!
I am thrilled that you wrote about this! Just this weekend I was looking at some molding and thinking about repairing some holes but then forgot about it until now! Thanks for the reminder!
Girl, I have so many of those little dings thanks to the boys hotwheels and Tonka trucks.... Thanks for reminding me that I need to take care of them:-)
Janell you must have a pretty new house :) My house from 1920's it would take me days to do this :) But i guess i have to start somewhere.
oh Janell!!!
Perfect timing! We just had a huge chip put into our bathroom molding while moving a chair! I had no idea how to fill it, drywall I get but wood . . .
Thanks so much!
Ug....just the thing I put off with regularity! The weekend's coming up, so maybe I'll deal....or maybe not!!
you really are the queen of DIY, Janell, in my opinion atleast!! xx meenal
I have a few dings in our millwork...I could use this recommendation! I think you've "given" me a little to-do list for the weekend!
Just had new draperies installed in my guest room yesterday, and I have a few small areas that needed a little touch up...perfect timing!!
Thanks for the post. I have dings on one doorway in particular. Unfortunately I can't blame it on the kids b/c they're too high. It's from me, carrying the laundry basket. I'm not sure if I'll fix them or just stop doing laundry!?!
I was just noticing a few places that I need to fix around our house. Thanks for the post!
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