Crafts & DIY
Homeowner earns over 2M views online for simple epoxy “fix” for old rotted wood
I've got several spots of wood trim in the house that I've been trying to figure out how to fix. This hack works great and it can be done with Bondo, too. ❀
Elijah Chan
06.20.23

Having a house made of wood or that has wooden accents provide that cozy atmosphere that just gives that warmth and charm.

But it doesn’t last forever.

Building a house from wood can have its own challenges. One of which is wood rot. When not protected correctly, wood can decay and deteriorate.

How can we repair rotting wood?

There are different ways to repair the rotted part of your house. If the damage is extensive, it might be wise to tear off the part and replace it with newer wood.

Depending on the size, you can also cut off the rotted part and replace it with trimmed wood. Both options, while giving you the best results, can be quite costly.

However, the YouTube channel This Old House posted a video showing how to do wood repairs with epoxy.

It’s quick, easy, and cheap.

Epoxy is a malleable, gel-like plastic substance that is often used to repair cracks, crevices, and holes. This material is fairly affordable and easy to use.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

The best thing about epoxy is its adaptability. It binds with wood well and can contract and expand, depending on how the wood behaves.

This Old House showed the steps.

For this project, you’ll need an epoxy mixture, measuring materials, an electric drill, and some sandpaper. You’ll be using other tools but it would be on a case-to-case basis.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

First, using an electric drill, carve out the cavity to remove the rotted wood. Use a grinding bit and scrape off the chips until you trim it down to old solid wood.

This step is important.

Epoxy doesn’t bind well with chipped rotting wood. Next, scrape off the pain if there’s any.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

Brush the wood and the interior of the cavity with an epoxy bonding agent so that your mixture can adhere to the wood better.

Next, prepare your molding tools.

Different cavities need different tools to make sure your filling will end up with the right measurement.

If you’re just filling a hole in your wooden table, a simple scraping knife is sufficient.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

Here’s another hack.

For window corners, much like in this video, you might need to measure the dimensions of the wood you’re working on so you can cut out a customized scraping knife.

Then, mix your epoxy paste. The paste comes in a squeezy gun that automatically measures out the ratio of your ingredients so you’ll have a consistent paste every time.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

Mix your paste thoroughly. For a palette, you can use a Lexan glass surface as epoxy doesn’t stick to it.

Combine the substances well as you only have around 30 minutes to work with it.

Fill wood holes with epoxy paste.

Slather the paste over the wood holes and tears. Make sure you got every nook and cranny of the cavity.

Scrape off the excess using your customized scraping knife so that your epoxy filling is of the same dimensions as the wood it’s repairing.

YouTube Screenshot - This Old House
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - This Old House

Let the epoxy set and harden. You can sand the surfaces to make them smooth and even. Paint over the wood and epoxy patch.

See how easy it is to repair patches of rotted wood in the home in the video below!

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