TOOLS:
Putty knife, paintbrush.
MATERIALS: Clean cloth, mineral spirits (WalMart, Home Depot),
matching stain, varnish urethane; matching tinted latex wood putty.
Wooden
trimwork on doors and top/bottom of walls, for example, are subjected
to general wear and tear, along with the occasional divot. Rather
than replace or repaint them, you are only a few simple steps away
from making them as good as new, without having to remove them.
First,
clean the area with a soft cloth (a sock will do) and some odorless
mineral spirits. This will remove any dirt or oxidized varnish from
the wood.
Now,
apply the tinted wood putty to any holes, cracks or dings allowing
a little excess to remain. After the filler dries (a few hours),
sand it down flush with 150 grit sandpaper. Sand surrounding area
if it feels a little rough. Wipe the area clean.
Restain
the area. If it doesn't blend well enough, resand it a bit and reapply.
Now apply the urethane or varnish. Apply another coat if you wish.
This
technique works well on hardwood floors as well. Apply 3-4 coats
of urethane, though.
