How to fix peeling hollow core door

11/28/2019 Posted By guest guest

Having loose hinges that cause irritating noise or a broken handle is bearable to some extent, but having a damaged hollow core door is something that is entirely different. After all, it can lead to changing the entire door if left unfixed. An accidental punch or a sibling combat episode can result in the awful-looking door in the house (trust us, it looks horrible). But there is no need to worry as it all can be fixed at home without having professional help to come for your rescue.

Hollow core doors are quite inexpensive as they are made up of a light wooden frame covered with composite veneer. A damaged hollow-core door can be remedied at home by following some easy steps. Here, we will describe how to produce the wooden grain texture over the patch using insulating foam sealant to fill the vacuum behind the damaged area.

Causes

Hollow core doors usually have hard wood or pine timber frame with sturdy lock blocks on either side of the door. The center of the door is either filled with waste paper, cardboard or honeycomb. This is why these doors are so fragile that a single strike may cause the door to break down or it may give it an ugly hole that can make it look as bad as the blobfish (if you haven’t seen it then Google it and you’ll know what we mean). It can also happen while moving heavy furniture between the rooms or screwed-in hook can result in a jagged hole. It is imperative to fix the door as soon as possible because it can become a perfect sanctuary for insects and bugs in the house.

What You Need To Do

The good news is that you can easily repair a damaged hollow core door by following some simple steps. With a few standard tools and materials, you can make a smooth repair. There is no need for special skills, so follow the details and you are good to go.

All you have to do is cut the hole evenly, fill it with some hard product and apply a layer of some insulating foam and give it a smooth finishing and paint.

Tools and Materials

1. Utility knife with retractable snap-off blade
2. Drop cloth
3. Newspaper (paper towel)
4. Low expansion aerosol foam insulation
5. Plastic putty knife
6. Lightweight auto body filler
7. Spackle
8. 120grit sandpaper
9. Touch up paint (according to the color of the door)
10. Paintbrush

Getting Started

So, begin with filling up the hollow space behind the damaged area with insulating foam sealant to allow filler material to be applied (do it by using an epoxy filler to fill the damaged area). Create a silicone mold of the door’s finished surface texture. To replicate the texture over the filled and sanded surface, use the silicone texture molding and casting resin. Prepare the patches and paint the door. Without any further delay, let’s kick off with the work!

Step 1 – Cut Away Loose Splinters or Fragments

There are many loose splinters or fragments around the edges of the crack on the door, depending on how much the door is affected. Instead of trying to repair them, use a utility knife to cut off all bits of broken wood until you are left with a clear hole.

Step 2 – Fill Up The hole with Newspaper (or Paper Towel)

While the paper towels will not reinforce or fix the panel, they are an easy and affordable way to keep the insulation foam in place while it dries. Bunch up a few paper towels and cram them around the bottom or side of the hole that you want to repair.

Step 3 – Squeeze in The Expanding Foam Insulation Into The Hole

With a long nozzle on top, the expanding insulation foam comes in a spray tank. Aim in the hole or smash the nozzle in your door and start spraying. The foam must expand to fill the space inside the crack, with any excess spreading through the door's face outside the opening.

Step 4 – Leave the Insulation Foam to Dry Overnight

Once the insulation material has filled in the gap or crack, it must dry through it all the way before it can be cut or sanded.

Step 5 – Trim the Excess Foam with A Knife

Place a utility knife slightly above any insulation foam protruding so that it is flush with the door face. Run the knife down the door to cut off excess foam until the foam lies below the door face no more than 0.1 inches (2.5 mm).

Step 6 – Apply a Layer of Auto-body Fill Foam for A Stronger Repair

Combine two parts of auto-body filler and one part of a hardener catalyst together and place the mixture in your door through the crack. Fill any gaps by using the edge of a knife to rub and press the mixture over the crack.

Step 7 – Cover The Hole with Spackle for A Quicker Repair

You can also use Spackle instead if you don't have auto-body filler. Use a putty knife to scoop out a spackle and spread it in your door through the hole. Work in long, straight strokes to gently and uniformly smear the Spackle over the door.

Step 8 – Wait for 60 minutes for it To Dry

It takes around 1 hour for your repair compound to dry completely, whether you repaired the door with spackle or an auto-body filler compound.

Step 9 – Sand Down The Surface of The Door

Once the repaired part is dry, you can start sanding it by using a sheet of coarse grit sandpaper, between 100- and 120-grit. The sandpaper helps give a smooth look to the door.

Step 10 – Paint the Door

In the end, paint the door according to its shade to give it a smooth look.

The Bottom Line

Hollow doors are much cheaper and more common than solid wood doors, but they are much more fragile and vulnerable to damage as well. Although there might be holes in your doors or unsightly scratches, you can patch them up using the above mentioned detailed instructions. Give it a try and don’t lose hope if you are unable to hit bull’s eye on the first attempt.

The next time you have to shorten a hollow-core door, try replacing the bottom rail with expanding foam instead of wood.

Can you trim a hollow core door?

Yes! But the question then becomes, what do you do to re-close the bottom? We’ve got a solution that is easier than reusing the wood block from the piece you cut off.

Hollow door fix

The next time you have to shorten a hollow-core door, try replacing the bottom rail with expanding foam instead of wood.

1. Cut the door to the right length.
2. Clamp stiff boards to both sides of the bottom (as shown).
3. Fill the hollow door bottom with expanding foam insulation.
4. After the foam dries, trim off the excess with a utility knife and rehang the door.

Buy a can of spray foam on Amazon now.

Next, check out: Fix Sagging or Sticking Doors

Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Plus: 15 Brilliant Uses for Spray Foam that Will Blow Your Mind

Water supply lines can create a racket when in use. To prevent the problem, you can use a small amount of spray insulation foam between pipes and framing to keep the pipe in place and reduce noise. Here's how to do it.

Family Handyman

Create a backyard masterpiece with our DIY backyard waterfall and stream. To ensure a beautiful flow of water, use waterproof spray foam, to secure decorative rocks and fill gaps to keep water flowing freely.

Family Handyman

Squirt a little expanding foam around a loose shower arm and it'll be solid as a rock. Let the foam set up until it's stiff and carve off any excess around the shower arm. Slide the cover plate tight to the wall and you'll never know there's foam holding things together. This same trick firms up any other loose or wobbly pipes.

Versatile spray foam is still a go-to solution for insulating and filling gaps in walls, crevices and around windows and doors. For all the tips you need to become a master, check out our article on how to master spray foam.

AJ Cespedes/Shutterstock

There is no shortage of creative uses for spray foam, and carving it is just one of many. Like the toy plane pictured, you can create props, costume accessories, and decor with a little patience and ingenuity.

Whether you're sending something fragile in the mail or keeping valuables safe during a move, secure packing is everything. To protect a delicate item, simply fill a spare shopping bag half-full with spray insulation foam and place in the bottom of a box, pressing the item gently into the bag as it hardens to cushion the item. Repeat for the top and you have a DIY custom packaging solution that can handle the rigors of delivery.

Zivko Trikic/Shutterstock

An ingenious way to frame your original masterpieces is with a spray foam picture frame. All you need for this one-of-a-kind craft is a little cardboard for the frame, spray foam and the spray paint of your choice. Use another piece of cardboard as a picture backing and use finishing nails to finish this instant art. Plus: Watch DIY Picture Frame with Mitered Corners

2M Media/Shutterstock

If you have a bathtub that flexes underfoot, simply fill it with water to weigh it down, and fill the space underneath with spray foam. Many stand alone tubs have access panels that will allow you to reach these spaces. Otherwise, a small hole in facing drywall can do the trick and will require little patching to repair afterward. Plus: How to Re-Caulk a Shower or Bathtub

Any crack can be an interstate highway for pests to enter your home. Close any possible points of entry by filling cracks with copper mesh, using a screwdriver to push it in and then filling remaining gaps with expanding foam. For more DIY pest control ideas, click here.

Family Handyman

Due to some framing practices, corners of exterior walls can be particularly susceptible to mold growth, because pockets of uninsulated space may allow cooler air to pool and condense. For a quick way to remediate the problem, use the instructions found here.

Insulate and soundproof an aluminum sink by spraying the underside with spray foam, paying particular attention to the gap between sinks. If you do this while the sink is installed, ensure you are wearing safety equipment and prepare the area beneath the sink for drips. Check out this, and other handy plumbing tricks here.

Photos: Courtesy of Demilec

Spray foam really is a magical tool for household insulation. Although fiberglass has been commonly used for insulation, spray foam can actually outperform it. Plus, with so many ways you can use spray foam, this material certainly is handy. Now only if it could help us out with all of those concrete problems… Oh wait, it actually can! Demilec, a company located in Texas, has invented a type of insulation foam that can help correct cracks and uneven pavement problems. Geolift can help to lift existing concrete surfaces and fix those problem areas around your house with much less labor. Geolift works for driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, even pool decks. And yes, it is a foam, just like your beloved spray foam!

Igor Meshkov/Shutterstock

When it comes to insulating the house, fiberglass tends to be the most common form of insulation. However, when comparing fiberglass and spray foam insulation, you might be surprised that spray foam outperforms fiberglass.  Spray foam is a type of insulation that expands after you spray. The foam expands and seals, deterring moisture (which can create mold) and pests from eating through your walls. It protects the lining of your house, and can even assist in the heating and cooling of your house during those unbearably cold or hot days.

Cdrin/Shutterstock

Porch urns or ceramic vases are an excellent way to add seasonal curbside flair to your home. However, tall items such as twigs, birch stems or even pumpkins can sway in the breeze and make a mess of your carefully planned decor. To prevent things from shifting, place your items in the container and spray around them with expanding foam to create a comfy nest that will keep items from blowing over and potentially breaking your urn. Place a layer of moss, hay or greenery on top to finish the look. Plus: Easy ways to dress up a cheap planter.

Famveld/Shutterstock

Expanding spray foam can be used to build mountains — albeit small ones—which is perfect for school projects or hobbies, such as model volcanoes or scenery for miniature train sets. For more crafty ideas, check out these easy to make Christmas ornaments. See how to clean spray foam for multiple uses.

Originally Published: January 25, 2019