Looking for an advice on how to fix this crack on my door. Pretty sure I have seen a filler product ads somewhere that is easy to use to fill the crack and it makes the door looks as if the crack was never there.
Hello @bilcruise
Thanks for sharing your question about how to fix a cracked door.
I suggest using Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler. Gently apply the first coat using a Pro Renovator 38mm Plastic Scraper. Our objective is to lay down a good low base coat to make it easy for us to sand later on. When the first coat is dry, apply the second coat of filler. When it has cured, lightly sand back the filler using Flexovit 100mm x 1m 240 Grit Painted Surface Sandpaper Roll until it is flat. Wipe off the excess dust with a clean rag.
I suggest using Taubmans 250ml Sample Pot White tinted to the colour of your door. I recommend using a UNi-PRO 75mm Sample Pot Paint Roller Kit. Any updates you can provide on your repair project would be much appreciated.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint a door
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @EricL thanks for the tips, mate. Appreciate that. I have no idea on how to do all these things or even what they are, but it all kinda makes sense to me.
Re: the Parfix multipurpose filler, is that just like a silicon sealant? So, it's a liquid and the idea is to apply that to the crack in the door to fill up the volume so that it any excess will be sanded, is that right?
Hi @bilcruise
The Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler is like soft putty it's very easy to handle and spread. Once you open the tub, you'll see exactly what I mean by spreading the filler over the damage. Please remember to put on a low coat so that it will be easy to sand down. Your objective is to cover the damage with the least amount of filler. Once the indentation is covered, it should be very close to the level of the door.
Hi @EricL , can you elaborate on what you mean by "put on a low coat"? also in your first response, you mentioned to lay down a good low base coat and apply a second one later once the first one is dry.
Re: the sanding step, I should be careful not to sand the undamaged portion of the door? (I have no experience in DIY-ing stuff, hence, my silly question)
Hi @bilcruise,
You should find this step-by-step guide useful: How to fix a hole in the wall. It's a similar process to your door. You might even wish to consider using the Pfeiffer 10cm Plaster Repair Wall Patch. In the video, you'll notice that the filling procedure is done with two coats instead of one thick coat. This is what @EricL is referring to when he says to apply the first "low coat". By doing the filling in multiple stages, it allows for more control. Give the filler time to dry in between coats and sand it flush with the door before adding more filler if needed. This prevents you from having to sand down a very thick coat of excessive filler to be flush with the door's surface. As @EricL mentioned, "cover the damage with the least amount of filler".
You shouldn't have to be too concerned about sanding down the door. If you start sanding the door, you likely need more filler on the surface.
Please let us know if you have more questions.
Mitchell
Hi @MitchellMc , thanks for the video. It is indeed helpful to make sense of what it means to apply 2 x coating. I noticed in the video that the coat changes colour after it dries up. Is this the case with this https://www.bunnings.com.au/parfix-500g-ready-to-use-multipurpose-filler_p1210321 as well? If i am lucky, the colour would be very close to my door and if it's unnoticeable then i wouldn't even need to paint it, is that right?
Also regarding the patch, after the coating is done, is it just left there? I don't see a removal of it in that video.
@bilcruise,
The plaster does dry to a lighter colour, but the finish is quite different from paint. You'll be able to notice it, and you should apply an undercoat on the plaster and then paint the area.
The patch is left there. It adds rigidity to the damaged portion and gives the filler something to hold on to instead of just the door's smooth surface.
Hi @MitchellMc , thanks for clarifying that.
Regarding the filler, do you guys have other product alternatives besides https://www.bunnings.com.au/parfix-500g-ready-to-use-multipurpose-filler_p1210321? Just wanted to know what the options are.
There are other brands of the multi-purpose-filler such as Uni-Pro, Earl's Multifill, and Agnew's Putty. They pretty much work the same as the Parfix Multi-Purpose filler. Other forms of repair fillers such as Pfeiffer 10cm Plaster Repair Wall Patch and the Wet and Set Plaster Repair 127x381mm Patch Hyde have patching gauzes that help hold the plaster in place while it's being applied. If you wish to use these types of repair, you'll notice that you might have to use more plaster to cover it up. Thereby making the repaired area more noticeable.
Thanks guys. Just applied the first layer of coat. I ended up getting the Uni-Pro filler.
Hi @MitchellMc just wondering, if I only use the Uni-Pro filler, do I still need to apply the undercoat before painting the area?
Thank you for the update on your door patching project. Once the first coat of filler is dry, I suggest lightly sanding it to remove all the irregular bumps and hills. when putting the second coat on, I suggest doing long smooth strokes, rather than short abrupt strokes. By smoothing out the filler and feathering the ends it will be much easier to sand later on.
It's always ideal to use a primer on top of the filler. I suggest using British Paints 100ml White Prep 4 In 1 Water Based Primer Sealer Undercoat. This will prevent the paint from peeling and cracking, it gives it a good surface for the paint to bond on to.
Hi @EricL , thanks for that. Noted.
How is this looking? This photo was taken after the second layer of filler was applied and sanded down.
Almost there, @bilcruise. You've got a few gouges in the middle there that could do will filling. You want the filled area to be smooth to your touch.
Hi @MitchellMc , did you mean I should apply another layer?
Do you feel any roughness @bilcruise? If not, you'll be fine to prime and then paint. If the area isn't perfectly smooth, then do another thin layer. In the image below, I've pointed out some places where you'll likely need more filler added to smooth it out.
Hi @MitchellMc , apologies for the super long delay in responding. I was putting this on hold (procrastinating). 😞
So, I have managed to sand it down and applied the https://www.bunnings.com.au/british-paints-100ml-white-prep-4-in-1-water-based-primer-sealer-undercoat_p1420370 that @EricL suggested earlier. It now looks like this.
You see the area where I pointed with the red arrows? To me it looks a bit more pronounced than its surrounding. And the right arrow also points to the crack line which is somewhat visible.
Did I do this wrong? Or does that look fine to you?
Thank you so much for that update, your repair efforts actually look pretty good. Due to the nature of the material you are trying to repair you won't get a totally flat surface. Further sanding might aggravate the crack in your door, it's natural that the primer is not the same colour as your door. The purpose of the primer is to seal the top of the filler and provide a good surface for the paint to adhere to.
Your next step is to get paint that is the same colour as your door. If you have a loose colour chip of the door you can bring this to the store for a colour match. however, if you don't have a colour chip you'll need to cut out a small portion about the size of a ten-cent coin. Bring this piece to the paint department and request the paint specialist for a colour match.
Here is a link to our best advice: How do you match paint colours?
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your door fully repaired.
Hi @EricL , that’s good to know that what I did was okay haha.
So I was told by the builder that the paint that was used was https://www.bunnings.com.au/taubmans-tradex-white-low-sheen-interior-wall-paint-4l_p1540681 and the staff at Bunnings recommended https://www.bunnings.com.au/taubmans-250ml-white-sample-pot_p1540711.
I just painted the area and now it looks like this.
Does it look right to you? I feel like the paint colour is not the same…
Unfortunately, it is a different colour, I suggest getting a small paint chip from the door and getting a paint match at the store. Although they may be the same colour time has shifted the colour tone of your door to an off white finish. If it was still brand new it might have matched the paint you're using now.
Hi @EricL yes it is dry now and it looks no way near it. I am pretty sure this is not the original paint colour.
This might be a silly question, but, how do I cut a sample paint out of the door safely? Don’t want to damage it more haha.
Believe it or not, you are absolutely correct. You'll have to cut a small portion at the bottom back of the door where it is not easily seen. You'll have to repair that area as well, but now you have a paint sample to take to the store. Please remember that you only need a portion the size of a ten-cent coin it does not have to be very big. Just keep in mind that you only need the very top portion of the door you don't have to cut very deep. I recommend a Stanley knife to get a sharp precise cut.
Hi @EricL , i just bought the stanley retractable utility knife. Just wondering, is it a good idea to take the sample from the sides of the door?
Just wondering if you are in a position to paint the whole door? Personally, I would simply paint the whole door rather than trying to colour match as you are likely to get a much better result.
Jason
Hi @Jason , no I am not. Because it’s still pretty new and also that means I will be painting the casing etc as well, which is still in a really good condition.
I just wanted to make sure you're aware that a colour match will be a close match to your colour and not necessarily exactly the same. There's a good chance you will need to paint the whole door and casing to get a consistent finish.
If this were my door, I wouldn't be taking another chunk out of it that will need to be repaired. I'd be picking up several white colour cards from the local Bunnings and picking the closest match. I'd then get some Dulux Aquanamel tinted to that white colour and paint the whole door and casing with it. This water-based enamel is suitable for hard-wearing surfaces like doors and casing, whereas standard wall paints like Taubmans Tradex Low Sheen Interior should only be used on walls.
It might be a bit more work to paint everything, but not only will you end up with a better finish, but you'll also have the correct paint on your doors and casings.
I'll leave the decision up to you if you wish to repaint the entire door. Just keep in mind that if you are getting a small sample piece, get one from the bottom out of direct sight. Getting from the side of the door near the bottom should be ideal. Just don't forget to patch and repair that spot once you start painting. Please keep in mind that a paint colour match will give you a very close approximation of the colour of your door but not a spot-on match.
Thank you @MitchellMc and @EricL for your suggestions. One question I have is, how does the result usually look like when you are able to get a paint colour that is a really close match? Would it be noticeable or hardly?
If done correctly the colour match will sometimes be a spot-on match. Then it falls into percentage categories almost 90% the same, 85% the same and so on. I recommend speaking to the senior paint specialist as they often have more experience when it comes to colour matching. If the colour match is very close you won't even notice the damage.
Lock me in for another person suggesting painting the entire door, Bilcruise.
