If you accidentally press your vehicle brake pedal a bit too slowly when you pull into your driveway, and you tap your wood garage door with the vehicle as a result, there are most likely a few spots that will show damage. Repairing the evidence of a bad parking job is not that difficult if the damage consists of a few small holes or cracks. Here are the instructions on how to repair your garage door so no one will be able to tell it was ever hit.

Materials You Will Need

• Bucket of soapy water
• Sponge
• Needle-nose pliers
• Epoxy wood putty
• Putty knife
• Screwdriver
• Sander
• Medium and fine-grit sandpaper
• Paint

Checking The Damage

Before you can start doing repairs, assess the situation to make sure that it can be handled on your own. Take a look at the affected areas and check to make sure the damage does not go straight through to the interior side of the door. If you see damage from inside the garage, call a repairman to help you with the repair. Otherwise, moisture can become embedded in the crevices, making your garage door decay as a result. One company that offers this service is Door Systems Inc.

If the flaws are only noticeable on the exterior side of the door, bring out the tools to start the repair.

Preparing The Surface

Clean your garage door thoroughly before attempting to repair. This will take away any debris so the filler will adhere without having an obstruction in the way. Use a sponge dipped in a bucket of soapy water to scrub away all grime from around the affected areas. If you see any small slivers of wood splintering out of holes or cracks, remove them using a pair of needle-nose pliers.

Filling The Damaged Spots

To fill in the damaged areas, use pieces of epoxy wood filler to fill in spots where wood is missing. Roll a piece of the wood filler between your fingers so it becomes pliable. Push the filler into cracks using a putty knife, screwdriver, or even your fingers if the crack or hole is bigger in size. Use a putty knife to spread the filler evenly over the surface of the door. Allow the putty to harden according to the package directions.

Finishing The Job

Use a piece of medium-grit sandpaper attached to a sander and rub it lightly over the area where you had placed the putty. Switch to a piece of fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface until it is uniform with the rest of your wood door. Now is a great time to give your garage door a new coat of paint, which will hide the evidence that you had ever hit your garage door from all!