Can you suggest a filler to smooth out the design on this door for painting and a flat finish?
Asked by Bianca Castellanos 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 1, 2024
Do you know of anything I could use to fill in the design on this door so that it can be painted to look smooth and flat?
Yes, that’s true. However, because the door has artificial wood grooves, a patch would create a seamless design in the center of the door.
An alternative would be to use 1/4″ plywood to cover it up.
Using 1/4″ plywood on both sides for ‘s door costs more than just getting a new door. Plus, the door probably still won’t shut properly.
Better – 1/8 inch.
You can keep the strike plates in the same place as long as you don’t move the stops for .
Yep, considering all the choices. It seems like getting a new door is the best decision.
Sell the old door to contribute towards the cost of the new one.
It might be more affordable to simply replace the door!
Here’s what you can do: remove all the hinge pins, discard the door, purchase a new one. Solved! You’re welcome.
The most cost-effective option (slightly cheaper than purchasing a new door) and the simplest would be to attach a piece of 1/8” Masonite to the door and trim the edges.
You should consider replacing the door. Any other solution will be too time-consuming and unappealing. Doors are relatively inexpensive.
I would consider getting a new door, but if you want to try something else, you could attempt filling the grooves with bondo. Once it sets to a semi-firm consistency, use a straight edge to make it flat. After it cures, sand it down. Finally, cover the entire door with contact paper of your choice (preferably the width of the door or larger). Personally, I would opt for a new door.
Using bondo might not be effective because of the wood grain texture on the door – unless, of course, you plan to bondo the entire surface.
If you fill in the groove, do you think it will stick properly? It might not match perfectly, but smoothing out the surface enough to apply contact paper could give it a more consistent appearance, don’t you think?
A door covered in contact paper will just end up looking like a door covered in contact paper. It seems like a lot of effort for a result that might resemble a sloppy DIY job.
A lot of people use contact paper for various projects and it works well for them. I’m just suggesting another option for the original poster, even if it’s temporary. Overall, I’m on the same page as you – it wouldn’t be my initial choice. Like I mentioned, I would opt for a new door.
I totally agree. Whenever I see items like these, I think about how I can resell them later on.
Thanks a lot
Applying one layer of primer will eliminate that wooden grain texture instantly
I also have these doors. Primer won’t smooth out the texture.
Bondo dries really strong! And is tough to sand once completely cured.
It does work if you decide to spray it on (I’ve tried it myself)
Using Bondo would end up being more expensive than just buying a new door
Yup, that’s right. But if you align a sharp edge with the surface, it can help minimize the sanding required. Plus, in most cases, sanding is recommended after curing so the level of challenge is subjective.
I have a different opinion, but it could be influenced by where the materials are sourced from. The original poster mentioned that she’s getting a new door regardless.
No problem at all! Wishing you the best of luck with your project!
Hey there! I work with corporate cabinets. I understand the challenge of leveling hardened Bondo. That’s why I make sure to chisel it flat before it sets. It can be tough for those who aren’t familiar with the process.
Absolutely, I completely agree. Using a flat chisel to shape and smooth it out before it fully sets is super important. It sounds like you’ve had plenty of practice with this. Thanks for the reminder to focus on it.
I mean, just the thought of a ‘BLOB of hardened Bondo’ is enough to make me nervous and my palms sweaty 😅
$76.00 to replace the door. Instead of damaging it, consider selling it to someone else.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Masonite-30-in-x-80-in-No-Panel-Primed-Smooth-Flush-Hardboard-Hollow-Core-Composite-Interior-Door-Slab-with-Bore-56380/100013962
If it were me, I’d lean towards some paneling. Flat doors just don’t seem very high-quality in my eyes. But hey, that’s just me!
I really want to make them look like this. I thought about adding my own paneling. Not sure if it’s better to do it myself or spend close to 200 per door.
Yeah, that’s likely the cheapest option. But if you end up buying bondo and lumber to create that look, you’ll probably end up spending the same amount and it will be difficult to achieve a smooth finish. I’d recommend going with the $92, 2 panel option (similar to the Shaker style). Or, if possible, I’d spend a bit more to get the door knob already cored out. Good luck!
You should also take into account the door thickness. If you add trim pieces to make it thicker, the door may not close properly and you might have to purchase new door jams. Building the doors doesn’t seem like an easy task to me.
Jennifer, it might be best to just purchase a new door. Trying to fix up your current one won’t turn out well and will end up costing you more than it’s worth.
For a fun experiment, you might want to consider using spray foam and then trimming it flush with a flush trim saw. After that, you could try using lightweight hot mud, sanding, and painting.
Dude, seriously!
Oh , if she wants to conceal the “wood grain”, she’ll have to apply a skim coat to the entire door.
Hey , you’re on the right track but try using Bondo instead of hot mud. Hot mud tends to crack around the edges.
I could swap doors with you, I prefer the raised look over the flat one
I feel the same way about them, .
I was thinking of flattening it and then putting some trim on the edges and across to give it a more polished look. There are plenty of DIY videos online.
You’ll end up spending more on filler than if you were to just get a new door.
Slabs are priced similarly to covering them with plywood. You’ll also need to adjust the door stops by the same amount as the thickness of the plywood you choose, or else the doors won’t shut properly.
Yeah I was trying to steer clear of making the door thicker for that same reason
I totally get where you’re coming from with the whole “just get new doors” advice. It’s not just about the money for the doors, but also about finding someone to install them properly. Best of luck with your project.
I believe putting up a new door is the solution.
Why do you ask?
Just go ahead and replace the door or grab some joint compound
Ramen
An option is to attach a door skin, then customize it with your preferred paint. Door skins are thin, so you can use finishing nails to secure it in place. Sink the nails slightly, fill the holes with wood filler, sand it smooth, and paint over. This way, if you change your mind, you can easily remove it with minimal damage from the nails. Keep in mind, this may not be suitable for heavily used doors like garage access or exterior doors due to weather exposure.
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Hey , the only negative aspect is that it might end up looking bad
Hey , have you ever tried putting new door skins on doors before? I did it recently and it turned out perfectly fine. However, it could end up looking bad if you’re not familiar with the process. If you’re not feeling confident, I recommend not attempting it.
As someone who hangs doors professionally, I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re willing to also remove and replace the doorstop. Adding to the door’s thickness would mess up the doorstop’s position.
I see a few issues here, but I’ve seen people do things I wouldn’t.
It’d be quite tricky to hide the edges too. If someone tried to hire me for this, I’d have to decline.
I feel like maybe you’re not a fan because you’re a pro at hanging doors and you just want brand new ones. That’s my take. Maybe try taking off the trim and shifting it slightly. And if it’s an interior door, there wouldn’t be a threshold at the bottom. Just a small piece at the top. And the sides? Come on, I move them all the time, can’t you?
You know, it should look fine with the doors closed. But once you open them, you’ll notice the door skin’s edge
Hey , can you explain how hollow core doors are put together? I think they’re built with either veneer or door skin, isn’t that the same thing? You just have to add some filler, sand it down, and paint it, right? That seems pretty straightforward to me.
That’s absurd. Head over to habitat and pick up an inexpensive pine door.
No worries, it will always be in sight.
Upgrading to a new door will bring you more joy!
Why not just switch it out?
How about purchasing a $20-30 flat one?
True, a flat slab is definitely simpler.
Luan
Nah
To start, make sure the door is completely level on the floor or saw horses. Use shims to adjust the corners until it’s level. Then mix and pour epoxy resin until the surface is flat. I personally used this technique to salvage an expensive door that was almost ruined by a handyman. Keep in mind that bondo won’t level on its own and you’ll need a good primer before applying latex paint.
That door looks pretty hollow. I think you can find new flat doors at a reasonable price.
It might be easier to just replace it with a textured flat slab. You can order one from your local building supplier. Avoid regretting trying to refinish it.
We use bondo often, but it’s probably still better, cheaper, and definitely faster to get a $70 flat slab.
Get a new door.
Consider purchasing a new door.
It happens to be a hollow core.
And they are affordable.
Yep, there’s a new door.
I’m curious, what’s the appeal of a flat door?
I really can’t stand these doors and I’m determined to improve their appearance by starting with making them flat.
Nope
Take out the door and place it on a flat surface. Step on it a few times to make it easier to dispose of, then head to Home Depot to purchase a new flush hollow core door and install it. The issue is that the stamped panels are uneven. Consider adding a 1/4″ laminate and patching around it. However, keep in mind that the patched areas may crack and look unsightly whenever the weather changes due to different material reactions. Avoid the hassle and simply replace the door.
Thanks a lot! I’m so pumped to get rid of these doors 😄
Aqua coat can be used to fill the grain on open-grained woods. Though I wouldn’t recommend it…
Actually, go for a low-cost slab door.
It might be more cost-effective to simply purchase the desired door for a better appearance than attempting to modify one.
Epoxy could be a good option, or you could go with bondo for the whole thing. Either way, it’s going to take some time and effort. Just keep in mind that adding extra mass to the door means you’ll need to readjust it to ensure it latches properly or it might end up being too tight.
The price of these doors is quite reasonable.
When comparing changing your door versus buying a new one, it might be worth looking at builders outlets for better prices.
You should consider getting a new door.
It’s not worth it, doors are quite affordable, especially hollow core ones.
It’s better to just purchase one as it will ultimately save you time and money.
Obtain a fresh door
I would recommend getting a new slab door from a big box store since they are affordable. You can then sell the raised panel door on Craigslist or a marketplace platform.
Oh no, dealing with a bowed door is such a hassle!
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I think I’ll focus on getting new doors. Now I just need to figure out if I should opt for a budget-friendly door and add my own paneling, or splurge and spend $200 per door. Tough decision! 🤔
You know, you can actually find flat doors for free in a dumpster. Personally, I use them to create shelves, especially for a laundry room. I once used old flat doors from a dumpster to construct a fold-up table. The main idea is that free or very cheap flat doors are easy to come by. Check out marketplace for some.
Why though?
It’s actually more cost-effective to just buy a new door instead of going through the hassle of buying filler, applying it, sanding, and possibly applying multiple coats.
Consider purchasing inexpensive flat doors. Who would want a door like that? You could try laminating them, and if you don’t like the voids, use spray foam. Just make sure to have a flat panel to contain the foam.