Filling old hinge positions
If you decide to rehang a door, perhaps on the other side of the frame (lining), it becomes necessary to fill the old hinge positions so that the frame can be redecorated and a neat finish achieved. You can use a wood filler to slowly build up and fill the hole, but a better finish is generally achieved if you first try to patch the hole with wood, followed by a small amount of filler to deal with any small imperfections.
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1. Firstly, cut a length of batten as long as the hinge recess. |
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2. Use a hammer and chisel to split the wood to the approximate depth needed – slightly deeper, rather than not deep enough, is best. |
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3. When chiselled to size, apply a generous amount of wood adhesive to one side of the trimmed offcut. |
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4. Press the offcut into the old hinge position. Remove excess adhesive with a cloth and allow to dry overnight. |
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5. Plane off the new block flush with the frame. Use a little filler for any small holes and allow this to dry before sanding, priming and painting. |
Filling tips
- This technique may be adapted for any situation where a small repair patch is required in a wood surface.
- For larger blocks it may be worth securing the shaped offcut in place by knocking in a couple of nails – in which case it is best to drill pilot holes in the offcut before hammering in the nails, otherwise you are very likely to split the wood.
