How to Fix Hole in Closet Door

Most closet doors in mid century to modern homes are hollow. They are made of a lighter weight manufacturer wood or vinyl product. The reason the doors are hollow is to make them easy to install and care for. If a hollow closet door gets a hole in it, it can be repaired in a few steps. Most doors have a texture, which can be difficult to duplicate but if the hole is in an inconspicuous place, it will be easier to hide.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Insulating Foam
• Knife (optional)
• Plastic or Metal Putty Knives
• Spackle
• 220 and 320 Grit Sandpaper
• Paint

How to Fix Hole in Closet Door

1. Fill the hole with expanding insulation foam. Allow the foam to come out of the hole. Let the foam dry completely.

2. Cut or scrape off the excess foam so it is just a little bit recessed from the door leaving a small dent rather than an open hole.

3. Fill the now shallow hole with spackle and let it dry.

4. Sand the spackled area so it is level with the rest of the door.

5. After the area is sanded and the hole still is not level, repeat steps 3 and 4.

6. Lightly wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove the residue from sanding and allow it to dry completely.

7. Paint the area to match the rest of the door.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you know the material of the door and buy the correct kind of spackle. Ask a sales person at your local hardware store for recommendations.

[dreamteller]

on 6/24/2009 Helpful instructions.

[snoshu246]

on 7/2/2008 I was able to patch a hollow door and stain and get the desired effect. I took a hanger and pulled out the indented portion, stuffed it with a towel so not to have so much give, and used stainable wood fill putty. I tested my colors on the wood fill on a piece of paper, then when I got the desired color, sanded and stained. (I had the dye pens) I had a darker dye pen and was able to get the "natural wood" effect using that. So it can be done - I even had to look for it.