Easy Steps to Patch Siding or Cabinetry

Chances are that someday you might need to make a patch on paneling, siding, a door or cabinetry. Here are some tips that will make light work of the task.

* Cutting the patch.

Locating and cutting the patch is probably the hardest part of this project. Matching wood grain can be tricky. Cut the patch slightly larger than the damaged area. The cut doesn’t have to be straight, but the edges must not be chipped.

* Cutting out the damaged area.

Use the patch as a template and mark a line around the damaged surface. When you have completed making a cutout of the damaged area, the line should be visible. A very accurate cut can be made with an electric multi-tool. Take your time.

* Installing backing.

With the patch and hole ready to go, the next step is to provide something for the patch to be mounted to. Here, small pieces of wood can be glued around the opening of the hole that will accept the patch. For wood patches, yellow aliphatic carpenter’s glue is best. Glue the backing pieces onto the existing surface so that half the wood is behind the panel and half is under the patch.

* Installing the patch.

After the backing is in place, the patch can be installed. Careful here: Debris on the back of the patch or the front of the backing might prevent the patch from making flush alignment with the surface to be repaired.