If you accidentally back your vehicle into your wooden garage door while it is closed, you will not be able to open it until you make necessary repair. If you had hit your brakes upon impact, you may not have much damage, allowing you to make the repairs yourself.

Larger hits that involve large holes or pieces falling off of the door would need to be fixed by a garage door repair service like Calgary Overhead Doors LTD. On the other hand, here are some instructions for you to use if you are dealing with a much smaller repair.

Materials You Will Need

• Bucket of soapy water
• Sponge
• Needle-nose pliers
• Epoxy wood filler
• Screwdriver
• Sander
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Paint in the same color as the door
• Paintbrush

Clean the Surface

Before you can make your repair, you will need to clean the surface of the wood where the vehicle had hit the door. This will allow the filler to adhere without any debris or wood splinters getting in the way. Wash the affected area completely using a sponge dipped in soapy water. If you notice any pieces of wood that have become splintered, remove them using a pair of needle-nose pliers. 

Fix the Damaged Area

After the wood has dried completely, you will be able to fill in the hole using epoxy wood filler. This can be bought at any hardware store. Open the packaging and pull off a piece of the filler from the amount enclosed. You will want a piece that appears to be about the same dimension as the hole. Rub it between your fingers so it becomes softened. When it feels pliable enough to adhere, place it into the hole.

Use a screwdriver to push it into any cracks that you cannot reach with your fingers. Mold it over the entire hole so it is filled in with the epoxy wood filler. If you need to add more, you can simply pinch off an additional piece from the amount in the package and add to what you have already applied.

Finish the Door

When the putty has hardened, use a sander with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the putty so that it is uniform with the rest of the wood door. Check with a level to make sure you do not sand down too much, leaving you with a concave area. When the damaged spot has been smoothed, paint it with a fresh coat of paint so you can no longer tell there was a hole there at all.