Oops! There is a split in your furniture; maybe it’s a crack in the wood you intend to use for a wood project; you’re distraught and don’t know what to do. Worry no more, WoodisWood is here to save the day. So, how do you fix split wood?
To fix split wood, first, determine the extent of the split. For clean breaks and tiny splits with no missing pieces, pour wood glue into the split and use a set of clamps to hold the split wood together until the glue dries. Fillers and dowels, however, become necessary when the hole is large. Fillers are available in different colors, and you can also stain them to match the split wood. Typical fillers used to fix split wood include; wood putty, a mixture of wood glue and sawdust, Bondo, shellac sticks, and more.
This piece contains an expert guide on ways to solve any wood split challenge. It doesn’t matter whether it’s split modern furniture, antique furniture, a wooden plank, or a crack from a screw. We promise to discuss in detail the proper way to repair the split and get your wood back to being perfect.
Fixing Split Wood with Glue
Fixing split wood with wood glue works well when dealing with a clean break. Follow these steps if you find no missing spaces when you place the broken parts back together or if the split is tiny.
If you are looking for the glue that works best to fill in cracks in wood, try out Gorilla Wood Glue from Amazon
Required Tools and Materials
- Clamps
- Wood glue
- Clean rag
- Masking tape
- Air hose/soft brush
- Sander or Sand Paper
- Rubber Gloves
- Paste Wax
Step 1: Clean the Wood
For a clean split wood with two broken pieces, if there are no spaces when the wood is fitted together, first, clean the wood.
You’ll need to clean loose splinters, fibers, and debris using an air hose or a soft brush. Ensure you do not change the orientation of the splinters when cleaning.
Step 2: Check that the Two Pieces Fit
Now that the wood is clean, do a dry fit by placing the pieces together and see if they fit. Press the split wood together tightly.
Step 3: Hold the Split Open
If the wood isn’t broken, using a toothpick or putty knife (wrapped with masking tape), hold the crack so that the split stays open. Then apply wax to the tips of your fingers to prevent the glue from sticking to your fingers.
Ensure that you wear gloves before handling the glue. Also, ensure that you apply wax to the surrounding area of the split to prevent the glue from damaging the surface of the wood.
Step 4: Apply the Glue
Now, it’s time to apply the wood glue to the split wood.
Squirt the glue into both ends of the wood, then use an air hose to suck in the glue into the fibers of the split wood. This will prevent the glue from creating a mess on the wood when you temporarily use your hand to hold the glued pieces with your hands.
Alternatively, you can also choose to use a putty knife covered in masking tape, dental floss, or toothpick to spread the glue into difficult-to-reach areas.
Step 5: Use Clamps to Hold the Pieces
Now, all you have to do is use a set of working clamps to keep the split close and apply pressure to the glued wood until the glue dries.
For wood pieces with a round or irregular shape, use a nylon strap clamp. Long bar clamps and small hand clamps are the best options when dealing with regular-shaped wood.
N.B: If there is no way to clamp the wood pieces, do not fret. Get a masking tape and stretch it over the joint. Use as many strips as you need to get the joint tight.
Step 6: Allow the Glue to Dry
If you are in a rush, you should allow the clamps to stay on the wood for a minimum of 4hrs; if not, you keep the clamps on the wood for 24hrs overnight before taking them off.
Repairing Split Wood with Filler Material
Repairing split wood with filler becomes crucial when dealing with deep splits. There are several ways to fix wood with filler material. Here are six of the most popular options for you;
- Wood Filler Sticks/ Wood Putty
- Sawdust/Wood shavings and Glue
- Joint Compound
- Bondo
- Polyester Resin
- Epoxy Filler
Now, it’s time to show you how to use these fillers to care for wood splits.
Wood Filler Sticks/ Wood Putty
Wood filler sticks, also known as wood putties, are commercially available options for fixing cracks in wood. You will find them in many local hardware stores around you. The best thing about them is that they come in different colors, and you can also choose to stain them to match the color of your wood.
Here’s how to use filler sticks to fix a crack in the wood
Required Tools and Materials
- Filler sticks/ wood putty
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper (120/220-grit)
Step 1: Purchase the Right Filler Stick
When choosing a filler stick, we advise that you select one that is shaped like a crayon. Also, ensure that whatever wood putty you choose is stainable, especially if you intend to change the color later.
Step 2: Get the Filler Stick or Wood Putty into the Split
Getting the filler stick into the split isn’t difficult. You can use your fingers to do this.
For those who feel more comfortable using a filler stick, recall that we suggested that you choose crayon-shaped wood putty. Now, rub the filler stick over the split and use your finger to drive the rest of the filler into the crack.
However, a much easier way is to use a putty knife to drive the filler into the crack if you are using wood putty.
Continue doing this until the filler material overfills the crack.
Step 3: Use Putty Knife to Spread the Filler
Now is the time to begin spreading the filler. Ensure that you do this before the material dries on the wood. Do this until the filler material is flat on the wood.
Step 4: Allow the Filler to Dry
Once you are sure the filler is flat with the surface on the wood, leave the filler to dry. We recommend allowing it to sit for 8hrs before moving on to the next step. Alternatively, you can check the label of the product for the manufacturer’s recommended drying time.
Step 5: Sand Excess Filler
Using 120 or 220 grit sandpaper, sand down excess filler material until it is flat on the surface of the wood.
Alternatives to Wood Putty
Instead of using wood putty to fill split wood with, you can also choose to use shellac or wax sticks.
Shellac, a byproduct from beetle excretion, must be melted, poured into the split, and allowed to dry.
The same procedure described above applies to using these two materials. The only difference is that when using wax sticks, you need to seal the wood with shellac if you choose to apply the wax stick before applying your finish. If you want to fix the split after applying a finish, you do not need to seal it with shellac.
Sawdust and Wood Glue
The mixture of sawdust and wood glue has long been used to fix split wood. Everybuild wood filler is a great wood filler that we would recommend you try out for such a task.
Required Tools and Materials
- Scrap wood
- Sawdust
- Sander
- Wood glue
Step 1: Sand a Piece of Scrap Wood
First, sand any piece of scrap wood. It is preferable if the wood has a similar color to the split wood in question. Having a sawdust collector available will be handy in times like this.
Step 2: Mix the Glue and Sawdust
Then mix the glue and sawdust in a 50:50 to form a thick paste that you can then apply to the crack. Alternatively, you can first apply the wood into the wood split and cover it with sawdust.
Step 3: Allow to Dry
Once the mix is inside the split, allow it to sit for a few hours and then stain the wood.
Step 4: Sand and Smoothen the Wood Split
Joint Compound
Joint compound refers to mud or any stuff used to fill drywalls. This effective solution for filling cracks in walls is great for fixing split wood after an initial repair with sawdust and glue has been initiated.
To apply this compound, you’ll need a putty knife to spread the joint compound over the split surface. Once applied, allow it to dry and then sand to attain the desired smoothness.
N.B: If you decide to use a joint compound to fix split wood, you won’t be able to stain the staining the joint compound will be difficult. So, the only solution is to paint the entire surface of the wood.
Bondo
Folks who know one or two things about the automobile repair process, especially the bodywork aspect, will be familiar with the Bondo material. This material does wonder when it comes to filling holes and cracks in wood.
Let’s show you how to use Bondo to fix wood splits
Step 1: Choose a Location and Get the Required Tools and Materials Ready
The Bondo compound has a very strong pungent smell, so it’s best you do this outside. Also, you’ll need to get a respirator mask.
Step 2: Mix the Compound
Since Bondo comes in 2 parts, the filler and the activator, it is necessary that you mix the Bondo as directed by the manufacturer.
Step 3: Apply the Bondo Compound
Once the mixing process is complete, apply the Bondo to the split in wood and allow it dry for a few hours.
Step 4: Lastly, Sand and Paint
Polyester Resin
Another compound that repairs split wood perfectly is polyester resin. With polyester resin in your arsenal, you can be sure to get those wood fibers back to their original state. Polyester resin gives wood the ability to withstand both sheer and compressive stresses.
Step 1: Tape the Sides and Bottom of the Wood Piece
When dealing with a split in the wood, the split may go through the bottom and sides, so it is important that you tape the sides and bottom with masking tape.
Step 2: Pour the Liquid Polyester Resin
Next, pour the liquid polyester resin into the split in the wood until it overflows, then wait for the resin to dry.
Epoxy Filler
Epoxy filler works wonders when you need to repair split wood. Here’s how to go about the repair process
Step 1: Get all the Required Materials
Before you begin fixing the split in wood with epoxy, you need to have a masking tape, a putty knife, wood-colored dye, a respirator mask, a mixing spoon or stick, and a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Tape the Split
If you find out that the split runs through the wood, we advise that you use masking tape to cover the other side of the split.
Step 3: Pour the Required Compounds
With your respirator mask on, squirt an equal amount of resin and hardener into a mixing bowl. Once you do this, do not begin the mixing process until you pour wood color dye into the mixing bowl. The wood dye can be in the form of either powder or liquid.
Step 4: Mix the Compounds
With all the required compounds in the mixing bowl, it’s now time to begin mixing. Do this for a few seconds until you form a paint-like compound. This is because immediately the resin and hardener are mixed, the epoxy immediately begins to harden.
Step 5: Pour the Mixed Epoxy into the Split
Using your mixing spoon or putty knife, spread the epoxy into the split. Ensure that you push the epoxy as deep as you can into the crack and ensure that no bubbles form while pouring the epoxy into the split. If you notice any, pop them with a needle.
Step 6: Allow the Split to Dry and Smoothen with Sandpaper
Allow the epoxy to dry overnight. Once dried, use 120/220 grit sandpaper to flatten the repaired portion of the wood.
Step 7: Color the wood
Using Dowels to Fix Split Wood
In addition to using glue and filler materials to fix the split in the wood, you could also reinforce the split wood with dowels. Dowels are perfect for fixing splits in rectangular, round, or square objects. Follow these steps to fix wood split with a dowel.
N.B: Using a dowel to fix split wood should be done after you must have applied epoxy filler or wood glue in the split. The dowel serves as a reinforcement.
Required Tools and Materials
- Drill and drill bits
- Epoxy
- Dowel
- Hammer
- Sandpaper
Step 1: Attach the Drill Bit and Drill
Hold the drill perpendicular to the split at a 30-degree angle and drill the pilot hole, starting with a smaller drill bit. The aim is to drill a 3/8inch hole, but it’s always advisable to start with a smaller bit.
When drilling, first start straight, then drill sideways. Once you do this, use the 3/8inch drill to create a 3/8-inch hole.
Step 2: Drill or Hammer the Dowel into the Hole
Now that you have the right-sized hole, bath the dowel in epoxy and slowly hammer it into the hole.
Step 3: Clamp the Wood and Allow to Dry
Once the drill is successfully inside the hole, clamp the split and allow the epoxy to dry overnight.
Step 4: Smoothen and Sand
All that is left is to remove the clamps, cut the dowel parts that extend through the wood, sand, and apply wood stain.
Using Shims to Fix Split Wood
Last but in no way the least effective way of fixing split wood is the use of shims. Shims are thin pieces of wood used to fill small spaces in the wood. Let’s proceed to show you how to use these shims to fix the split in the wood.
Required Tools and Materials
- Shim(s)
- Wood glue
- Sanding paper
Step 1: Sand Down the Surface of The Split
Using sandpaper, sand down the surface of the split wood and cut the shim so that it is of the same length as the split.
Step 2: Sand the Shim
Next on your to-do list will be to form a tapered filler strip by sanding the shim. To do this, use 100-grit sandpaper.
Step 3: Apply Glue and Insert the Shim into the Split
Now that the split’s surface and the shim have been sanded let’s apply glue to the split.
Ensure that the sides of the shim touch the sides of the split without widening the split. Then using a hammer, tap the shim into the split as far as you can.
Step 4: Allow to Dry
Allow the glue to dry overnight or for a period of 24hrs. Once the glue is dried, scrape off dried glue with a putty knife and sand the repaired area. Finally, do not forget to sand the repaired area.
How to Pick the Right Method to Repair Split Wood?
As you can see from the sections above, there are different ways of repairing split wood. The method you choose will depend on the split’s size and the type of wood furniture you intend to repair.
Tiny wood splits can be fixed with wood glue, clamping the split and allowing the wood to dry overnight. For wider splits, you would require the help of filler compounds like wood glue and sawdust Bondo, epoxy filler, joint compound.
For deep splits that run through the thickness of the wood, it would be wise to use shims or dowels to fix the split.
Additionally, you can use dovetails to stop cracks in their tracks. All you need to do is ensure that the dovetail is inserted into the wood in a perpendicular direction to the split.
How to Repair a Big Split in Wood?
When dealing with big split wood, you need to first check the direction of the grain of the wood and the part where the split occurs.
For splits along the grain, you’ll find that wood glue can get them repaired easily. However, for splits that happen against the grain, you’ll need to reinforce the split section of the wood with epoxy and a dowel.
Also, whether you are fixing splits that occur against or along the grain, you need to check for wood glue and clean out any previous repairs. Also, ensure that each piece of the wood fits before you attempt to fix the split.
How to Fix Split Wood from Screw?
Wood splits caused by screws are popular occurrences. They mostly occur when people drill screws into the wood without predrilling pilot holes. If this has happened to you, all is not lost. Here are some steps you should follow to get back on track
Step 1: Leave the Screw in Position
First things first, do not attempt to remove the drilled screw. This will only make matters worse. Instead, get a wood glue and accelerator and run them into the split wood, ensuring that the glue reaches every nook and cranny of the split.
Step 2: Remove the Screw
Now that you have applied the glue and glue accelerator, proceed to remove the screw. Once you do this, the wood should go back together. Only after this should you clamp the wood.
Step 3: Drive the Screw Back Inside the Wood
In this step, all you have to do is drive the screw back into the wood. While doing this, ensure that the clamp is still in position.
Fixing a Split in a Wooden Plank
Fixing a split in a wooden plank is easy. Read further to learn how to repair that wood plank like a pro.
Using metallic tape, tape the top portion of the entire split in the wooden plank. Ensure that the tape adheres properly to the wooden plank by using the chisel’s back to press down the tape on the wood. Also, tape off the end of the split.
N.B: Do not mix sawdust with epoxy to get the filler to be the same color as the wood. Sawdust has an imperfect particle size which jeopardizes the bonding power of the epoxy.
Since we need to tint the epoxy black, get artist charcoal. Mix the charcoal with the epoxy and then pour the mixture into the largest portion of the crack.
To allow the escape of air, do not pour the epoxy through the entire split. After a while, pour the epoxy through the entire length of the crack.
Allow the epoxy to dry as per the manufacturer’s specifications, and once you see that it is completely dried. Sand off the excess epoxy.
Repairing Split Wood Furniture
Wood furniture includes tables, cabinets, chairs, desks, and other movable items present in a room that you can sit on, lay on, or place things on.
Step 1: Flip the Furniture
The first thing you need to do when fixing a piece of split wood furniture is flip the furniture over. Once you have it turned, attach carpenter’s tape to the back of the split.
Step 2: Return the Furniture to its Upright Position
Once the furniture is back to is upright, apply wood glue to the split. Use a putty knife to drive the glue into the split in the wood furniture.
N.B: Alternatively, you can also choose to first apply the glue through the visible portion of the furniture, then use a vacuum cleaner to suck in the glue through the other side of the split.
Step 3: Clamp the Split Furniture
Next, clamp both sides of the furniture. If your clamp isn’t strong enough, use a ratchet strap to hold both sides of the furniture.
N.B: When using a ratchet strap, ensure you attach the strap to a piece of scrap wood. This way, you won’t end up damaging the furniture. You can even add up to 2 or 3 rachet straps depending on the length of the wood.
Step 4: Wipe off Excess Glue
Once the ratchet strap is attached to the furniture, clamp the wood. Also, do not forget that as you clamp the wood, wood glue will ooze out of the split, so this is a good time to wipe off excess glue that oozes out of the split.
Step 5: Allow the Wood to Dry
Leave the furniture to dry overnight or for a period of 4hrs if you are in a hurry. Once the time is up, take off the ratchet straps and clamps, and voila! You should have perfect split-free wood. Then proceed to sand the wood.
How To Fix Broken Leg on Antique Table?
Antique pieces of furniture are timeless, so we can understand how heartbreaking it can be if the leg on your antique table gets broken. Don’t sweat it, pal. You don’t have to throw it away yet. Here’s how to fix a broken leg on an antique table easily.
Step 1: Cut small Blocks of Wood and Clamp
Since many antique tables have curved legs, the clamping process might prove to be difficult. Here’s what we recommend that you do. Make small blocks of wood and screw them to the broken leg.
To do this, cut the blocks to be similar to the curved portion of the table’s leg right where you intend to clamp.
Step 2: Clamp First, Without Glue
Once the wooden block(s) are cut to the right size, clamp the woodblock to the broken leg, but do not use glue this time.
Step 3: Now Glue the Broken Wood
Once you confirm that there are no missing pieces and that you can secure broken parts, you can now move on to apply glue to the split wood. Once you’ve successfully applied the wood glue, clamp the broken parts together tight and clean off any wood glue that oozes from the split.
Step 4: Leave the Glue to Dry
Once you have successfully attached as many clamps as you can to the broken section, leave the wood glue to sit for a minimum of 4hrs or as directed by the manufacturer.
Once the time elapses, take off the clamps, conduct a visual check on the broken piece of wood, and clean off any bit of residual glue on the surface of the wood.
Step 5: Drive in Screws into the Leg of the Table
Once your glue is dried, driving in one or two screws into the leg of your antique table will also be a good decision in ensuring that the leg doesn’t come off again.
To insert these screws, first drill a counter sinkhole with a 3/8 bit. Next, drill the pilot holes. After doing that, you can then proceed to drive the screws into the already created pilot hole.
Step 6: Fill in Spaces with Wood Putty
Anywhere you notice spaces in the split wood, apply wood putty to cover up those spaces. Then, sand the wood putty and stain that section of the wood. You can also proceed to finish the wood with an appropriate wood finishing.
How To Prevent Wood from Splitting
Yes, it is indeed quite possible to prevent the wood from splitting. Let’s show you how to prevent splitting.
Preventing Wood from Splitting While in Storage
The preparation and storage stages play critical roles in deciding whether a wooden log will develop splits in the future. Here are some proven techniques
- When cutting wood for a project, do not cut across the grain; instead, cut along the grain.
- When preserving wood, store them as boards and not logs. Boards are less likely to develop splits when cut and dried properly.
- While preserving the wood, you should ensure that the wood doesn’t touch the floor while in storage.
- If you choose to store wood as logs instead of boards for reasons best known to you, we advise that instead of orienting the logs in the sound west direction, place them in the east to west direction. This is a proven way to prevent heat from causing a split in the wood.
- Ensure that the wood gets ventilation from all sides while in storage. This will prevent uneven drying.
How Proper Drying Prevents Wood from Splitting
Drying the wood properly is the most important step in preventing splits from showing up on wood. Here are proven drying methods that prevent wood splits.
Air Drying
Air drying the wood for a few weeks or months before putting the wood to use is one of the most effective ways to ensure your wood won’t split when drying. It ensures that the wood dries evenly.
You’ll need a wood moisture meter, a wood sealant, an ample amount of storage space, a cinderblock to place on the wood to prevent shrinkage, and stickers to put between each piece of wood.
Kiln Drying
Storing wood in a controlled environment is another great way to dry wood. In a kiln, you’ll be able to control the temperature, humidity, and steam levels.
With a kiln, you can get the required moisture content within a specified time without having to wait too long like the air-drying method.
Also, since a kiln can balance the rate at which moisture dries at the outer shell to the rate at which it dries at the inner shell, it means the wood will dry evenly, thus reducing defects like split caused by uneven or rapid drying.
Using Sealer to Prevent Wood from Splitting
After ensuring that the wood is properly dried, sealing the wood can also ensure that split is avoided. Some of the more popular wood sealing methods used to seal the wood and prevent split in wood include.
Sealants
To prevent wood splits, you can apply sealers to the open end of the wood. Doing this will prevent the wood from direct contact with air moisture and, in turn, prevent dryness and shrinking of the wood.
When using a sealant, it is crucial that you cover all open parts of the wood. Additionally, you’ll find that applying these sealants is not limited to using a brush alone. You can also choose to use sprayers with a 0.21”/0.55 mm tip or larger.
That’s not all; alternatively, you can also dip the wood log in sealant after first pouring the sealant into a large tub.
Paintable Wax
Alternatively, you can also choose to use paintable wax to prevent splits from appearing on your wood. Just apply a light coat of wax on the exposed surface of the wood. Also, you can make your DIY wax with wax candles, a paint thinner, a hammer, a canning jar, and a measuring scale.
Start by breaking the candle wax into bits, measure the broken candle wax on a measuring scale and then heat the broken candle wax in a pot or saucepan under heat. Once the candle wax melts, pour the melted wax into a canning jar and apply a paint thinner.
When applying the thinner, ensure that the thinner is one-fourth of the number of candles. Once the proper thinner measurement is applied to the wax, mix the thinner and wax by shaking the container. You should have your DIY paintable wax.
Boiled Linseed Oil or Teak Oil
Finally, you can also choose to bathe the wood in boiled linseed oil or teak oil. Doing this will not only prevent split in greenwood but also keep rots from forming.
Once you have the oil, sand the wood first to open up the wood pores; then, if you choose to use boiled linseed oil use, a painter’s brush to apply the oil. For teak oil, dip the wood in the teak oil and allow the wood to dry under non-direct sunlight.
N.B: Teak oil takes longer to dry than boiled linseed oil.
How to Prevent Splits in Wood when using screws and Nails
Splits caused by nails and screws are a very common occurrence when working on wood. To prevent this from happening, here are some things to remember.
Blunt the Nail
Yes, blunting the nail before hammering it into the wood is a very good way to prevent it from causing splits in the wood.
To blunt the nail, all you need to do is place the nail’s head on a flat and sturdy surface and hammer on the pointy tip that’s facing upwards. Once you do this, the nail will penetrate the wood in a cutting motion rather than as a wedge.
Applying Lubricant
Another method you can adopt to prevent your nail from causing a split in brittle hardwood like oak and maple is to dip the nail or screw in petroleum jelly or paraffin wax. Doing this will minimize friction created while you hammer on the nail.
Drilling Pilot Holes
Drilling pilot holes before driving in a screw or nail help prevent splits. This is because these small holes help to guide the bigger screw or nail.
Below is a chart showing the right size pilot hole to drill when working with different diameters of screws
Drilling Away from the Edge
In addition to the methods discussed above, another way to prevent board and wood from splitting caused by nails is to try as much as possible to not nail very close to the edge of the wood.
We advise that you follow the rule of thumb and drill or nail at ½” away from the edge of the wood and nail at a slight angle.
Nailing Outside the Grain Line of an Existing Nail
When you need to hammer many nails close to each other, it is important that you do not nail on the same grain line. Instead of nailing them on the same grain line, all you need to do is push the next nail a little further up or down the grainline of an existing nail.
7 Tips to Help You Fix Split Wood
Here are seven tips you should hold in the palm of your left hand. Do remember them as they will help you in fixing split in wood like a pro.
Tip #1: Use Floss to Drive Down Glue in Narrow Crevices
Indeed, you will be faced with times when you have to push glue down into very tiny splits; using a putty knife to spread the glue might be next to impossible in this scenario. However, with a string of floss, you can get this done easily and quickly.
All you need to do is pour the glue into the split and floss the glue into the crack. Once the glue is everywhere you need it to be, remove the floss and clamp the wood.
Tip #2: Use Paste Wax to prevent Glue from Sticking to the Surface of the Wood
Still on glues, instead of leaving the glue to get stuck to the surface of the wood, you can easily prevent this by applying wax across the surface of the wood. Since the glue wouldn’t stick to the surface because of the wax, cleanup is easy.
Tip #3: Insert a Padding Between the Wood and the Clamp
After gluing or filling the wood, especially if you are dealing with wood furniture, it is crucial that you insert padding between the clamp and the wood in question. In trying to repair the split in the wood, you do not want to create further damage to the wood.
Tip #4: Allow Wood Glue or Epoxy to Dry Overnight When Uncertain
If you get confused about how long you should allow the wood glue or filler to dry, or you’re finding it hard to tell if the glue or filler is dried, we recommend that you allow the glue or filler to sit overnight. After 24hrs the glue or filler should be completely dried.
Tip #5: Use Water Proof Glue for Outdoor Furniture
For furniture or wood that might get wet, you need to ensure that the glue you use is water-resistant or waterproof if the wood will be outdoors permanently. Check the glue labels to confirm if the glue is waterproof or water-resistant.
Tip #6: Always Remember to Clean previously Repaired Splits
When trying to repair a split or crack that has already been repaired, it is important that you remember that you should clean off any wood glue or filler from the crevice before proceeding with the repair process.
Tip #7: Apply Masking Tape to the Underneath of a Split
Before gluing a joint, it’s crucial that you tape the other side of the split. This way, the glue that oozes out of the split when clamped will not damage the stick to the surface of the wood. Instead, it will stick to the masking tape, which can be easily removed and disposed of.
Final thoughts
Repairing split wood doesn’t have to be hard. There are several methods to choose from. All you have to do is choose one that suits the task at hand.
Remember also to choose the best quality products when trying to carry out any repair work; inferior products will make the task more difficult and time consuming than it should be. Not to mention that they may spell doom for the wood in question.