A 2-part wood filler will have a greater resistance to future nicks and scratches than other types of wood filler or putty. You can also use wood filler to cover screw holes in your door frame.
After you mix the hardener with the resin, your wood filler will start to set and harden within a few minutes. Apply the wood filler quickly so it’s still easy to work with.
It’s okay if the filler isn’t perfectly flush yet. Just try to remove as much as you can so you don’t have as much to sand later.
Wrap the sandpaper around a scrap wood block to get a little more leverage while you’re sanding. [6] X Research source
You can try staining wood filler, but it may have a slightly different color than the rest of the frame.
To clean out the rot even faster, use a wood-grinding bit and a drill to remove it. If the rot covers a large area that’s larger than 6 inches (15 cm), then it’ll be more effective to cut out and replace a section of the door frame. When the frame becomes rotted, it can spread to the door as well. Inspect the door where it meets the frame for signs of rot, and replace the door if there’s damage.
Alternatively, you can use auto body filler instead. Just like epoxy wood filler, auto body filler comes with a resin and hardener and is suited for withstanding wear and tear. Once you mix it, the epoxy filler dries quickly, so apply it as soon as you can so it doesn’t become difficult to work with.
If you can’t get the epoxy filler smooth by hand, then use a random orbit sander instead.
The door stop is the wooden strip in the middle of the frame that prevents the door from swinging open. The molding is the decorative trim around the outside of the frame. Work slowly and carefully so you don’t damage the stop or molding as you remove them from the frame. When you’re pulling out the door stop, position the claw of your hammer directly over the nails to prevent the stop from breaking.
The wood piece helps evenly distribute the blows from the mallet and prevent damage to the frame.
If the gaps still look the same after tapping the frame with a mallet, you may need to adjust the door hinges.
Test opening and closing the door, and loosen the shims if the door rubs against the frame again. If any of the shims stick out past the door frame, cut the excess off with a utility knife.
Take care not to damage the stop as you remove it from the frame. Place the nail between the claws on the end of the hammer to prevent the wood from breaking. Remove any remaining finishing nails left in the molding with a nail puller.
If the damage is at the bottom of the frame, then just measure and make a mark above the damage.
If there are multiple rotted or split areas, replace the entire door jamb instead.
Dry-fit the piece into your frame to make sure it’s snug. Trim the board if it still doesn’t fit in the opening. Avoid using pressure-treated wood since it will twist and warp once it dries out. If you believe your door frame is made from non-standard wood, take the damaged portion to your local hardware store. Experts there can help you identify the type of wood that was used and supply you with the necessary materials.
You may be able to see the seams between the frame pieces slightly even after you paint them.
When you reach a nail, put it between the claws of your hammer before pulling it out. That way, you get better leverage and are less likely to damage the molding. You only need to remove the molding on one side of the door to replace the jamb.
Replacing the entire jamb is the perfect fix if your door was kicked in or broken since there’s probably damage in multiple places.
Dry-fit the new door jamb into the opening to make sure it fits tightly. If you have trouble fitting it in, then trim it a little more. Avoid pressure-treated wood since it’s more likely to warp when it dries out. The most common heights for door frames are 80 inches (200 cm), 84 inches (210 cm), and 96 inches (240 cm) in height.
The shims help ensure the frame stays tight and level.
Secure the top and bottom of the jamb before nailing down the middle to help ensure that it’s level.
If the trim pieces have old nails still stuck in them, pull them out with a nail puller.
If you have a regular door knob and a deadbolt, cut out holes for each of them in the new jamb.
