How to Repair Hammer Dents in Wood Trim
Wood trim is found around doors and windows. Molding, baseboards and chair railings are all types of wood trim. Typically glued and nailed into place, wood trim is either prepainted or painted once the trim is affixed. Common blemishes marring wood trim are hammer dents on or around the nail heads used to attach the trim to the wall. In order to repair hammer dents in wood trim and restore the beauty of the trim accents in your home, use wood putty to return the trim to a smooth finish. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Water-based wood putty
- Sandpaper, fine grit (150-grit)
- Sponge
- Paint or stain
- Paintbrush
Instructions
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Scoop a pea-sized (or larger if the dent is deep and large) dollop of a water-based wood putty or wood filler from the container with a putty knife. Wood putty and wood filler are available at hardware, discount and home improvement stores.
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Use your fingers to push the wood putty into the hammer dent in the wood trim. This Old House recommends overfilling the dent or hole, as wood putty and filler shrink upon drying. Let the putty or filler dry.
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Use a damp sponge to remove any putty or filler that spilled onto other areas of the wood trim.
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Check the dried putty in the repaired hammer dents. If shrinking has left the dent filled lower than the wood surface level, refill the dent with more putty or filler. Allow the putty or filler to dry.
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Sand the wood putty or filler repair with 150-grit sandpaper until the repaired area is level with the wood trim surface. The repaired dent should be smooth to the touch.
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Paint or stain the repaired dent with the same paint or stain used on the wood trim. Wood-based putty or wood filler can be stained or painted. Many other types of putties will not accept stain. Always read the putty or filler container's instructions before purchasing it to ensure you are working with the right filler for your dent repair needs.
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Tips & Warnings
Most wood trims are painted with oil-based paint as it wears better and dries to a smoother finish. If you have repaired a large area of hammer dents, you may need to apply a wood primer to the wood trim before you can paint. Raw wood absorbs paint which requires you to apply many coats to obtain an even finish.
Always paint or stain in ventilated areas to avoid inhalation hazards.
References
Resources
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