How to Hide Cracks in a Chair Molding

Chair molding is installed horizontally on walls to divide the room visually and protect the wall from scrapes and dents caused by the backs of chairs. Small cracks in the molding can be repaired to restore the molding to good condition. Molding will sometimes crack when a nail is driven into it; other imperfections in the wood could cause it to crack over time. It's important to repair even small cracks, which will expose unfinished wood and detract from the overall appearance of your room.

Things You'll Need

• Wood glue
• Sandpaper, fine-grit
• Tack cloth
• Finish touch-up
• Small finish brush

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Dab wood glue over the crack and work it into the crack with your fingertips.

   • 2

     Sand over the crack lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. The dust left from sanding mixes with the glue to fill in the crack. Continue sanding until the surface of the molding is smooth and the crack is filled in.

   • 3

     Wipe off the sanded area of the molding with a tack cloth to clean off all of the dust left from sanding.

   • 4

     Dab a touch-up coat of finish over the sanded area with a small brush. Allow the finish to dry for at least four hours and apply a second coat.