How to Repair Water Damage to Wood

Prepare the surface of the wood for repair. If the surface is still wet, dry it with a soft towel. If the surface is severely damaged and even shows signs of rotting, remove the loose particles and thoroughly clean and dry the damaged area.

Inspect the stain on the wood surface. Older water damage stains usually have white or black cloudy marks around the original water spill stain. Also note the size of the damaged area so you know how much cleaning solution to use. Inspecting the water stain on the wood will also allow you to identify the cause of the damage in the first place.

Clean around the damaged area with a soft cloth dampened in warm water and a mild abrasive. For the abrasive, use anything from a car paint polishing compound to toothpaste, as long as the cleaning solution is not too aggressive. Scrub the area with the cloth to make the white marks around the area disappear. Instead of a cloth, you can use a scrub sponge, depending on how fragile and delicate the surface is.

Apply an epoxy resin-based product to the severely damaged area. This step concerns only wood that has little parts of it missing or is cracked. Use a bendable putty knife to apply the paste and fill all the holes and cracks. Use the putty knife to even out the surface of the wood. Leave it to dry for a few hours, according to the instructions on the package.

Treat the wood surface with fine-grit sandpaper to even it out. Use the finest available grit to smooth and buff the wood.

Apply a coat of oil-based wood primer. Let it dry for a few hours.

Apply a coat of wood paint or wood finish. Finish the surface so that the damaged part blends seamlessly into the rest of the wood.