How to Fix a Dog Chewed Door

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Coarse, medium and fine sandpaper

  • 220 grit sandpaper

  • Wood filler

  • Putty knife

  • Paint

Having a dog in the family can be a very rewarding experience—unless your pet is poorly trained and chews everything in sight. It is not uncommon for dogs to scratch and chew at the door, which results in deep gouges in the wood. It is possible, though, to repair a wooden door with wood filler without having to purchase and install a new one.

Advertisement

Step 1

Visit your local hardware store and purchase a wood filler that matches the color of the door as closely as possible. Wood filler comes in a variety of colors, so if you want to paint the door white, choose a white wood filler.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Prepare the surface to be filled by sanding the damaged area of the door with sandpaper. Use coarse paper for deep scratches, and progress to finer papers, finishing with at least a 220-grit paper. Wipe away any sawdust from the area to ensure that it is clean and ready to be filled.

Step 3

Apply a small amount of wood filler to your putty knife and begin to fill all the holes and cracks in the door. Use the putty knife to pack the filler into the cracks until the damaged door becomes flat and even again.

Step 4

Leave the wood filler to dry for the recommended length of time. When it is dry, use a fine sandpaper to sand down the newly repaired surface of the door.

Advertisement

Step 5

Apply your paint according to the manufacturer's instructions, using at least two coats to finish the project. Once the paint has been applied you won't be able to tell the door was damaged in the first place.

Warning

If you're worried about how the finished filler will look when painted, try the whole process on an old piece of wood before applying to your door.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...