My Victorian cottage has painted pine doors. Two of these have split panels. I think that polyfiller will just drop out when dry, especially as central heating is about to be installed. Any ideas please?

Jill, November 2004

Firstly have you noticed more cracks and splits since adding central heating? Central heating dries the air out and removes moisture from wood and plaster so they shrink and start to show cracks/splits.


Rake /open the cracks [you'll waste your time trying to fill hairline cracks.] then apply water based wood glue, purchased from your local merchant, to the cracks. wipe the excess from the surface.
When the glue gets tacky apply the filler. let it set for at least one day then sand down. Unfortunately central heating plays havoc with plaster and woodwork causing dry air. Some say leave small dishes of water in each room most effected and it helps to keep moisture in the air.
A tip from a carpenter drill a hole in the end of split in wood slightly bigger than the split. This stops the split 'Travelling' then fill both the hole and split.

BOB, February 2005

Since the doors are painted, you cold use a white, caulking specially made to be a "filler." It will not get brittle, and will stay in an elastic state.
Fill the crack and smooth with a wet finger or wet soft rag.
Most caulkings let you paint over it immediately, if you want to touch it up.
Good Luck!

Muzzi71, January 2005