How to repair a hole in timber wall panel?

[RLISH]

 

Hi the mighty DIY community, 

We recently updated our doorbell and removed the old chime from our lovely timber wall panel. As you can see, there is a big hole (about 1.5cm diameter) left behind on the wall from where the wires came through. We thought the small screw holes could be filled with Woodmate, but not sure how to fill this big hole to make it blend in with the wall panel. Any recommendations on methods, materials, and tools are welcome!

Thank you  

[EricL]

Hello @RLISH 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your timber wall.

I propose cutting a piece of timber in the general shape of the hole. I then suggest using Selleys 130g Liquid Nails Fast Grab Strong Adhesive on the interior wall of the hole and insert the timber plug in place close to the surface. Be generous with the adhesive but not so much that it spills out of the hole. My best advice is to allow the adhesive to fully cure before applying the timber filler. Using this method, you won't have to use a great deal of timber filler. Allow the filler to cure before you sand the surface and stain it in a similar colour as the wall.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag · Accepted solution]

Hi @RLISH 

Cabots do a great range of natural colour wood fillers. You wont get a perfect match because the wood panels have been stained. So, I would go slightly darker than lighter as it will be the lesser in visibility.

Use a thin putty knife to apply a bead around the internal sides to about 10mm with a hole in the middle and give this a day to go off being so thick. Then carefully apply putty to the centre area and again lets this full harden. Then apply a final amount slightly higher than the needs be and over the edges to allow for shrinkage. Once dry you can sand and lay some of the oil/stain.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @RLISH 

I cant really add to the suggestions @EricL and @Nailbag have put up, they are both the ways I would try first up. 

As an alternative..

- Use the hole, is there a light you may want to install? Control button? 

- Cover the hole with a bracket/hook/hat hook.

I like the idea of using something else to cover it up as sanding any new surface will be hard to feather in with the old staining/colouring of the timber.

Dave

[RLISH]

Thank you all for the advice, we end up going with the option of building up the wood filler layer by layer, mixed with a few different colour together to make it less flat, sand and lastly applied 3 coat of varnish. It's looking as natural as we can make it and you can barely notice it unless you know there was a hole.

 

[EricL]

Hello @RLISH 

Thank you very much for the update. The repair looks fantastic!

Eric