Asked on Mar 21, 2020

Repair water damage from composite wood/particle board?

Ambs
by Ambs

I just bought a used wooden bedframe. It looks to be made from particle board or composite wood. When it was delivered by the owner, it was raining so a small part of the headboard got pretty wet and soaked up some water. The wood in a small section has swelled slightly and the corner piece looks like I could just pull it off. Im wondering how I can save/fix this? After letting it air dry, would I be able to maybe add some wood glue underneath the parts that are swelling/curling up put use some weight on it until the glue sets? Since its only a couple of small areas with damage and its not a spot that will need to support any weight, I'm just looking for a quick and easy solution to "hold it together". Plan on painting the entire bed frame with white chalk paint. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

  13 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Mar 21, 2020

    Hi! So sorry that happened! Yes, it is probably the laminate that is lifting. Particle board can be fixed.


    https://living.thebump.com/repair-peeling-veneer-particleboard-cabinets-9769.html

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 21, 2020

    Dry the wet spot by using a hair dryer. Using a heat gun may create temperatures that could ignite the particleboard. If you have time, you can let the particleboard dry naturally.

    Sand the water-damaged area with a medium-grit sandpaper by hand or by using an electric sander until the spot is flush with the dry areas. Finish sanding with a finer grit.

    Vacuum or sweep up the sawdust created when sanding down the damaged particleboard. If the surface is likely to get wet again, apply a waterproofing material and allow it to dry.

    This works best for raised edges on water damaged particle board. If it is disintergrated you will need to use wood filler to rebuild it.

  • William William on Mar 22, 2020

    Yes you can use wood glue and weight it down till the glue dries. You may want to lightly sand the swelled areas with 150 grit sandpaper just to smooth them out.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 22, 2020

    Disintegrated Particleboard

    Dig out the particleboard's soft spots with a sharp object like a screwdriver or knife if the particleboard has loosened and is powdery. Once the spot has thoroughly dried, vacuum the residue or sweep it thoroughly.

    Apply wood filler, following the directions on the can or tube. Use a putty knife to smooth the top of the repair to make sure that the surface is level with the rest of the particleboard.

    Sand the surface once the wood filler has thoroughly dried. Vacuum the dust away from the surface. Apply sealer if the area is likely to get wet again.

  • You can glue it and weight it down while it dries. If you are going to be painting it the paint will cover all the repairs.

  • Pop Goes The Weasel Pop Goes The Weasel on Mar 22, 2020

    Put it in some rice. Works magic every time

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Mar 22, 2020

    You can use wood glue to press pieces back together or remove and use wood filler.

  • Let it dry and sand it smooth. Then you are ready to prime and paint it.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Mar 22, 2020

    Hi! it seems as tho other answers have the glueing solved. Here's a link for chalk paint on laminate:


    https://www.anniesloan.com/techniques/how-to-paint-laminate-kitchen-cabinets

  • Dee Dee on Mar 22, 2020

    If there are really soft spots use Abatron WoodEpox Epoxy Compound is one of the hardest and strongest wood filler options on the market. Or get some Bondo. Sand and paint.

  • Ambs Ambs on Mar 22, 2020

    Thanks for the advice everyone!

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 23, 2020

    That sounds like a good idea add glue wood glue and then some weight on it to keep it together.it should be good after that or just replace with a new 1 by 4

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Mar 25, 2020

    Mix glue with sawdust to make a thick paste.


    Hope this Helps! Jeremy - https://pahjodesigns.com