Split Door Panels

[Merlin5]

Hi guys. I repaired splits in the panels of my front door but after about a week or so the splits returned. Not sure if they'll get quite as open again as they were but it's hairline cracks at the moment.

I first used Prestonett Flexible filler from a tube but that started cracking within a day or two. I then moved on to Ronseal high performance two part filler which held better. I made the splits wider and tried to get in as much filler as I could. I then did two coats of Crown charcoal grey primer/undercoat followed by two coats of Crown blue topcoat, lightly sanding between each coat. You can see in the photos below the door with cracks before I did anything, then with Ronseal sanded down, then the finished door, and finally with hairline cracks reappearing.

Am I on a hiding to nothing or can I still get this repaired? Im wondering if the trick of packing with natural string soaked in wood glue that I've seen on youtube is worth a try? I will say now that I don't have the means to take the door off the hinges, insert pieces of wood or pour glue in and clamp the door, so my last resort is trying to fix it with string or anything else you could suggest while it's still hinged, or if you think I'm wasting my time with this door?

First pic before any work. Second three pics after filled and sanded. Third & fourth pics when finished. Last pics hairline cracks.

 

[Diver Fred]

Before you filled the cracks could you see through the cracks? even just light?

The panels have been made from 2 pieces of timber butt jointed. I suspect the panels have been glued into slots in the door to stop rattles.

Resolving the cracks is, IMHO, a September job after ax extended period of warm/hot dry weather when the timber will have shrunk.

 

[opps]

I am a decorator- you could try using 1 hour epoxy resin filler but it is (edit: not) guaranteed to work.

The panels should, in theory, be able to "float" so that they can expand and contract. Over the years the paint build up locks them in place though. Over the years I have tried to use an oscillating tool to cut through the paint build up at the edges. To be honest the success rate has been less than 50%

 

[Merlin5]

Before you filled the cracks could you see through the cracks? even just light?

The panels have been made from 2 pieces of timber butt jointed. I suspect the panels have been glued into slots in the door to stop rattles.

Resolving the cracks is, IMHO, a September job after ax extended period of warm/hot dry weather when the timber will have shrunk.

Thanks. Yes I could see daylight all the way through the cracks. I'm starting to see some daylight again through the new hairline cracks. If I repair again in September, what would be your suggestion? Is the glue soaked string worth trying or were you thinking I coud re-do it with two part filler? Will it not just split again come the following summer?

I am a decorator- you could try using 1 hour epoxy resin filler but it is guaranteed to work.

The panels should, in theory, be able to "float" so that they can expand and contract. Over the years the paint build up locks them in place though. Over the years I have tried to use an oscillating tool to cut through the paint build up at the edges. To be honest the success rate has been less than 50%

Thanks. Yeah you're right, I did some googling yesterday and I've seen people mention about how the panels should float and get locked up from paint.

Did you mean to say it's guaranteed or 'not' guaranteed to work, and can I buy 1 hour epoxy resin filler from Screwfix/B&Q/Toolstation?

 

[opps]

Thanks. Yeah you're right, I did some googling yesterday and I've seen people mention about how the panels should float and get locked up from paint.

Did you mean to say it's guaranteed or 'not' guaranteed to work, and can I buy 1 hour epoxy resin filler from Screwfix/B&Q/Toolstation?

Sorry- I have just edited my last post- I wanted to say that it is NOT guaranteed to work.

The success rate is about 50/50.

I don't think any of the companies you list sell epoxy resins.

The 3 major manufacturers are TimbaBuild, RepairCare and latterly/more recently Oxera (the company that I linked to). TimbaBuild and Oxera are "clones" of each other, that said Oxera also sell the 4 hour version in tubs (not the 1 hour though). The others need a special twin barrel dispensing gun- RepairCare do sell a single regular self mixing tube (1 hour) that can be used with standard caulking guns (expensive per ml though).

RepairCare have the widest range of epoxies but are substantially more expensive than the other two. Oxera (per ml) are the cheapest- £30 incl of VAT and delivery. The requisite gun, compatible with both TimbaBuild and Oxera is about £30, but is not compatible with the RepairCare twin tubes. BTW the £30ish RepairCare gun is crap and plastic- it flexes when you use it. They do sell a metal version, substantially more expensive, but I haven't used it.

I am loathed to "tell" you to use an epoxy resin though given the cost and that is not 100% to work in your case.

If the uncertainty and cost puts you off, you could use a light weight filler such as Red Devil OneTime. It will allow a tiny amount of movement. It is available in most decorators' merchants and pretty cheap (relative to the epoxy resins). It will add nothing to the structural integrity of the panels but in the event of them cracking again, the crack is likely to be thinner.

 

[Merlin5]

Sorry- I have just edited my last post- I wanted to say that it is NOT guaranteed to work.

The success rate is about 50/50.

I don't think any of the companies you list sell epoxy resins.

The 3 major manufacturers are TimbaBuild, RepairCare and latterly/more recently Oxera (the company that I linked to). TimbaBuild and Oxera are "clones" of each other, that said Oxera also sell the 4 hour version in tubs (not the 1 hour though). The others need a special twin barrel dispensing gun- RepairCare do sell a single regular self mixing tube (1 hour) that can be used with standard caulking guns (expensive per ml though).

RepairCare have the widest range of epoxies but are substantially more expensive than the other two. Oxera (per ml) are the cheapest- £30 incl of VAT and delivery. The requisite gun, compatible with both TimbaBuild and Oxera is about £30, but is not compatible with the RepairCare twin tubes. BTW the £30ish RepairCare gun is crap and plastic- it flexes when you use it. They do sell a metal version, substantially more expensive, but I haven't used it.

I am loathed to "tell" you to use an epoxy resin though given the cost and that is not 100% to work in your case.

If the uncertainty and cost puts you off, you could use a light weight filler such as Red Devil OneTime. It will allow a tiny amount of movement. It is available in most decorators' merchants and pretty cheap (relative to the epoxy resins). It will add nothing to the structural integrity of the panels but in the event of them cracking again, the crack is likely to be thinner.

Appreciate your time, thanks for that info. Red Devil OneTime sounds worth a punt. Caulk in a syringe?

https://www.mypaintbrush.co.uk/red-devil-onetime-caulk-single?language=en&currency=GBP&notax=1&srsltid=AfmBOoqN02YV21MvilEx71Qm4fNYLMbKGUIlUg9I9lqx9OEckcK9-_oMjok

or this ready mixed in a tub?

Red Devil One Time Filler | Decorating Centre Online

Buy Red Devil Filler at Decorating Centre Online in various sizes. Red Devil One Time Filler dries quickly is available with next day delivery.

www.decoratingcentreonline.co.uk

I assume caulk in a syringe to pump as much as possible into the cracks? Is this stuff better than any standard caulk because it allows a bit more movement?

 

[opps]

I was thinking of the tub. All waterbased caulks shrink back. MS polymers (which are a bit like silicone sealant) do not shrink back, and are very flexible but you will not be able to sand them flat.

The stuff in the tub has a very low water content.