How to Fix Stuff

[zoiDman]

...

The house was built in the 70’s. It’s pretty likely there's asbestos. ...

It's really hard to say. It can be Hit or Miss.

When my Sister did a New Roof on her house way back when, she was sure there was Asbestos in the Blown In Attic Insulation. There wasn't. But when she did Central A/C, they found that the old Gravity Heating Ducts did.

If there is Asbestos in the Attic Insulation or the "Popcorn", doing an Abatement isn't as big of a Deal as many believe it will be. Yeah, it will add to the project cost. But once it's gone future projects become more Realistic when you can Flash your No Asbestos Cert.

 

[LAwaters]

I’m back again and this time looking for tips on how to repair these cracks in a front door? This one is showing daylight. There's also a thinner crack in the inset panel above.

 

[DavidOck]

Maybe... try filling them in with "plastic wood", worked in well from both sides with a putty knife, then sanded flush once dry?

Or, if feasible, a weatherproof wood glue and a bar clamp to pull it together to set. That would, of course, need the door to be open for a while...

 

[DavidOck]

And you may need to open up the upper crack a bit, with, say, a dremel like tool, to be able to get the putty actually in...

 

[zoiDman]

For repairs that will be exposed to the Outside, I have had very good luck using "tootsie roll" type Epoxy Putty.

You just cut off a Dab of this stuff...

PC Products 2 oz. PC-Lumber Putty Epoxy 045770 - The Home Depot

PC-Lumber hand moldable epoxy putty stick. Cut, mix and apply. Great for rebuilding and filling wood.

www.homedepot.com

... then Knead, Fold, Knead, Fold, Knead, Fold in you fingers for about a Minute and a Half, then roll it into a Small Bead and Smush it into the crack with your fingers. You don't have to do the whole length in one shot. Just do a 6 Inch section at a time. That way you don't feel rushed.

You can also use an Epoxy Paste which is a Lot Cheaper if your doing Bigger Projects. Or if you prefer to work with a Putty knife.

PC Products 6 oz. PC-Woody Wood Epoxy Paste 083338 - The Home Depot

PC-Woody is an epoxy paste formulated to replace missing and rotted wood. It has structural strength greater than most wood. PC- Woody is a permanent wood repair for interior and exterior applications.

www.homedepot.com

I think the Putty is Much Easier to work with if you are just doing a Small Project like this door.

BTW - Here's is a somewhat Counter-Intuitive tip for filling small wood cracks. And that is take a piece of Sandpaper and soften the edge of the crack on Both sides. It doesn't take a whole bunch. Just a 1/16" or so.

This helps when you Smush the filer into the crack. It also makes for a gentle transition when you do you Finish Sanding.

 

[LAwaters]

I am constantly amazed at the variety and genius of repair products out there. I know a lot of things are junk and don’t really work, but there are some real jems! Thanks all.

 

[rob33]

I’m back again and this time looking for tips on how to repair these cracks in a front door? This one is showing daylight. There's also a thinner crack in the inset panel above.

View attachment 1018656

I'm a retired 3rd generation cabinet builder with over 45 years experience. A raised panel door is the same as a cabinet door. Here is a link to save me time of giving you the same advice as the #2 comment.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4510224/repairing-cracked-panels-in-raised-panel-doors

I would replace the door with fiberglass, for a quality wooden door for exterior use would cost 1K and up.

 

[zoiDman]

... for a quality wooden door for exterior use would cost 1K and up.

Ain't that the Truth.

And by the time you get someone to Fit and Hang the door you could Easily by pushing Two Grand.

 

[MikeE3]

Ain't that the Truth.

And by the time you get someone to Fit and Hang the door you could Easily by pushing Two Grand.

Or more! Me knows. We replaced well aged double steel entry doors with a single quality fiberglass door and two side light panels. That 2 grand just scratched the total on the invoice.

 

[MikeE3]

Before:

After:

 

[zoiDman]

Before:
View attachment 1018810

View attachment 1018811

After:

View attachment 1018812
View attachment 1018813

That is a Spectacular Before n' After.