What’s the best way to cover door orientation changes and make it look nice again – will wood filler crack?
Asked by Norma Galván 
3 months ago
Last Updated: October 3, 2024
Hey everyone! I had to switch up the door layout and now I’m left with this. Any recommendations on the best way to cover these up and make it look nice again? Would wood filler work? Do you think it will crack?
Sand down the old hinges and use wood putty to fill in any cracks or holes. Let it dry before sanding and painting.
I would start by removing the wood around the old hinge area to eliminate any curved corners. Then, I would measure the depth of the recess and head to a craft store to purchase a piece of basswood that is the same thickness and large enough to cut a piece to fill in the area. Next, I would glue the filler piece of wood into the old hinge area and apply wood filler around any gaps, like plastic wood. After allowing the filler and glue to dry, I would sand it flush with the door frame. If necessary, I would repeat the process of adding filler and sanding. Finally, I would prime and paint the area.
If you’re dealing with fiberboard jambs, using bondo is a good option as they don’t hold up well to moisture.
There are a couple of ways to approach this. You could chisel out a square shape and glue a thin piece to even things out, although this can be quite labor-intensive and requires the right materials. Alternatively, you could remove the paint around the old mortise, fill it with epoxy (such as Abatron 2 part WoodEpox), let it cure, sand it down, and apply a few coats of primer and paint to make it blend in seamlessly. WoodEpox can be purchased online or at paint stores.
Switch out the round hinge for a square hinge. Just square off the other side, no patching needed. ood luck!
Some people have suggested cutting square and gluing in a thin piece of wood, sanding it down, and then painting over it. Another option is to use painters tape to mask off the area, fill it with bondo auto body filler, and blend the edges. After it dries, sand and paint. Bondo can work well if you’re careful not to add too much hardener. Just add enough to change the color from gray to light pink or light blue, depending on the hardener you are using.
That wood epoxy is really fantastic stuff
You could try using cheap poplar craft wood and apply a little wood putty on top to hide the seam. Sand and paint.
Just hang a picture over it.
I also recommend using Wood Bondo. I’ve had great success with similar fixes that lasted a long time.
Using Bondo is the simplest choice.
Specifically, Bondo for Wood is a two-part material that dries quickly in warm temperatures, so it’s best to start small. Other than that, it’s easy to work with and sands nicely.
Yes, thank you.
Instead of taking out the regular stop from the middle of the frame, you can create a new one that’s wide enough to cover the old hinge area. Seal up any gaps next to the trim.
Dutchman.