How would you make good?

Owleyes00

Had all new internal doors fitted this week as the ones we previously had were just awful. Really chuffed with them and wonderful to have actual wood!

I rather naively assumed my new latches could just go where the old ones had been but due to the panelling on my new doors they had had to be put down lower. I am now left with big holes in the door frame where the old latches used to be.

What would you use to make good? I’m a bit of a polyfila fiend but wondering if there is a better way?

Owleyes00

Photo didn’t attach!

stuart45

I normally use a 2 part wood filler, but would fix a piece of wood into the hole to save using too much.
Some one really good at joinery would probably scarfe a new piece in.

twopenny

I'd use a ready mixed filler or wood filler, do half the hole first and let dry then another layer.

When you have it and the screw holes filled then a careful top layer that you can sand and sculpt.

You need to rub down the paint drip and sand the edges a tad first.

Although I got mine pretty good there was always a slight mark of where it was. I think I was the only one who noticed but I expect a lot

FreeBear

Cut a squarish bit of wood to fill the big hole and glue it in place. Once the glue has dried, cut back flush with a sharp chisel. Slap a bit of (wood) filler in after scraping off most of the paint withing the recess.

Alternatively, a thin bit of wood could be carefully cut to fit where the catch plate used to sit - Really depends on how much messing around you want to do.

Owleyes00

Thank you for the suggestions! We have some old bits of wood in the garage so I’m sure I can find something to plug the hole.

Wood glue and wood filler then on my shopping list 🙂

maisie_cat

I had to do a few of these in our old house, I used a sharp chisel to make the mortise in the frame tidy and paint free.
I then glued in a slightly proud matching grain wooden block and planed it back with a chisel, at the same time removing any proud paint globs. I used matched for the screw holes and filler if necessary.

stuart45

Some people use car body repair filler which is similar to the 2 part wood filler. I've been using it to repair my windows for years now, but have found that sometimes the thinner bits crack, or lift off in time.
A friend of mine who is a joiner thinks that my use of filler is a real bodge.

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

Some people use car body repair filler which is similar to the 2 part wood filler. I've been using it to repair my windows for years now, but have found that sometimes the thinner bits crack, or lift off in time.
A friend of mine who is a joiner thinks that my use of filler is a real bodge.

The mistake a lot of people make with two pack fillers is to mix in more hardener than is needed. Too much hardener gives you a hard mix that is likely to crack. Cut back on the hardener (as much as 50% at times), and the filler will remain slightly more flexible.

stuart45

FreeBear said:

stuart45 said:

Some people use car body repair filler which is similar to the 2 part wood filler. I've been using it to repair my windows for years now, but have found that sometimes the thinner bits crack, or lift off in time.
A friend of mine who is a joiner thinks that my use of filler is a real bodge.

The mistake a lot of people make with two pack fillers is to mix in more hardener than is needed. Too much hardener gives you a hard mix that is likely to crack. Cut back on the hardener (as much as 50% at times), and the filler will remain slightly more flexible.

I'm normally careful about the amount of hardener used, although when mixing small amounts it's harder to judge. 
I've only really had it happen on the exterior, especially the cills.

Alderbank

A friend of mine who is a joiner thinks that my use of filler is a real bodge.

I'm with your friend.
Wood contracts and expands with the seasons. Filler does not and over time will work loose. 
Try to chisel the opening nice and square. Cut a piece of timber to fit and just use enough filler to fill the gaps.
Door frames are subject to a whole lot of vibration.