Fix it yourself gurus: How to fix this door?

[Argo]

Moving out of my apartment in a couple of weeks and I'm trying to get my entire security deposit back. The only problem with the house is a crack in one of the doors after a drunken night. Is there any way to fix that:

Pic 1
Pic 2

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

probably not. replace the door.

 

[dug777]

that'll buff right out

 

[imported_LoKe]

Super Suction Vacuum and some wood finish/stainer and you're good to go. :thumbsup:
EDIT : How much was the security deposit?

 

[Squisher]

Luan hollow core door.

You could buy a sheet of luan and glue it on top, stain, and finish.

Or buy a door, hang, stain, and finish

 

[Ornery]

You just bought a $75.00 door. It's REALLY going to suck if you have to pay for having somebody else hang it and finish it!

 

[imported_LoKe]

It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

 

[ponyo]

You can still fix it semi-decent by using wood putty, fiber tape, and sanding it down with sand paper after it dries. Will likely take two application of wood putty. Then you have to stain the entire door with wood stain that closely match the original color.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: dug777
that'll buff right out

Yeah, RIGHT. :laugh:

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

Are you out of your mind, numbnuts? Are you forgetting:

• Cutting the door to height without splintering it?
• Cutting or planing to width?
• Installing hinges to match existing ones?
• Drilling for the lock set to match existing latch?
• Putting a matching finish on the door?

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

I'm not very familiar with apartment renting, but I'm almost certain you're not allowed to just go swapping out doors willy nilly. He'd just have to pay "the man" for it to be replaced.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

Are you out of your mind, numbnuts? Are you forgetting:

• Cutting the door to height without splintering it?
• Cutting or planing to width?
• Installing hinges to match existing ones?
• Drilling for the lock set to match existing latch?
• Putting a matching finish on the door?

I assumed you could buy one with the same dimensions, like other doors.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Naustica
You can still fix it semi-decent by using wood putty, fiber tape, and sanding it down with sand paper after it dries. Will likely take two application of wood putty. Then you have to stain the entire door with wood stain that closely match the original color.

I was going to say something similar. Use any form of wall mud. Apply to hole. Probably will take a few coats to get a smooth finish. Sand. Paint with light strokes and a natural paintbrush with some wood-looking colors. You could probably do well enough to fool the inspector. Certainly the next tennants will see it, but you are in the clear by then.

 

[Fritzo]

Can't fix that. New door. Those hollow doors are not that expensive without the frame.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

Yep. Stain/paint as needed.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: LoKe

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

Are you out of your mind, numbnuts? Are you forgetting:

• Cutting the door to height without splintering it?
• Cutting or planing to width?
• Installing hinges to match existing ones?
• Drilling for the lock set to match existing latch?
• Putting a matching finish on the door?

I assumed you could buy one with the same dimensions, like other doors.

Yeah, they come in standard sized. Locks/knob holes can be predrilled for you. I've done it in my house 3 times. Took like an hour to get everything painted/installed.

 

[NascarFool]

That looks like an interior door. They come in standard sizes. Measure it up, note the side the hinges are on, go to Home Depot or Lowes. Is it a 30x80 ? About $55 at Home Depot.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

Hidden cost will always be the tools... if you're already stocked up with them then you're set!

 

[Ornery]

...they come in standard sized. Locks/knob holes can be predrilled for you. I've done it in my house 3 times. Took like an hour to get everything painted/installed.

There is no way the lockset will be at the correct height, let alone the hinge mortises, and the door will probably have to be cut to match the shorter opening due to carpet or tile. Then, there's the issue of matching the finish...

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Ornery

Originally posted by: LoKe
It's not difficult to replace at all. Pull the pins out, insert new door, add door handle from previous door.

Are you out of your mind, numbnuts? Are you forgetting:

• Cutting the door to height without splintering it?
• Cutting or planing to width?
• Installing hinges to match existing ones?
• Drilling for the lock set to match existing latch?
• Putting a matching finish on the door?

Uhhhh... Dude.. LOL

Don't they make doors in standard sizes?

I guess I've only seen a couple of doors replaced, but that's all they did.. remove hinge pins, move old door, move new door into position, reinsert hinge pins ....

The one that comes to mind first was a metal front door though, not a hollow bedroom or somesuch door.

 

[Ornery]

Don't they make doors in standard sizes?

He may be able to swap his neighbor's door with his, but depending on the width of the finish opening, whether there is thick carpet and pad, how high the builder put the lockset and hinges, or what manufacturer made the prehung doors, everything could vary. It's not like swapping a computer card!

 

[Dubb]

What I would try:

wood putty, and while it's drying, use a pin or other pointy object to etch in the grain - try to make it match (will take some effort and time)

apply a dark (same color as the darkest grain in the door) paint wash or stain, just to that area, and wipe with a damp cloth - so it leaves the dark color in the "valleys" of the grain. you can try and fade the stain out to th good parts of the door, to mask the putty boundry.

apply a lighter stain to the entire door, then apply poly if necessary.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Ornery
...they come in standard sized. Locks/knob holes can be predrilled for you. I've done it in my house 3 times. Took like an hour to get everything painted/installed.

There is no way the lockset will be at the correct height, let alone the hinge mortises, and the door will probably have to be cut to match the shorter opening due to carpet or tile. Then, there's the issue of matching the finish...

Wow....the three doors I installed must not actually be there then!!!! :Q

Lowes and Home Depot will cut doors for you. Just tell them where you want the holes, how tall you want the door, BZZZZZZZZZTTTTT, they're done.

 

[Ornery]

Yeah, but you're not. Who is going to mortise the hinges? Who is going to finish it? Are they going to plane them if needed, as well?

 

[drnickriviera]

Ornery is right. I've never had good luck replacing just a door. It's a lot of work. I've tried it numerous times on my rental properties. I've come to the conclusion that it's always easier to take out the jamb and buy a pre hung door.