Filling Door Latch Mortise

[slopjock78]

So I am doing some work on a rental unit that still has some of the original doors that have the old style latch the requires a large mortise.  The latch has pretty much seen the end of its useful life, so i just removed it and drilled new holes for a modern knob. 

My question to all of you is, what is the quickest and easiest way to fill the mortise and have it look pretty decent.  This is not going into a remodel trying to bring the house back to its original glory.  the door will be painted when complete, and subjects to not the best tenants in the world once its rehung.  it just needs to look decent enough and do the job.

thanks for the help

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

The fastest and easiest way is to fill it with Bondo.  You can buy Bondo Home Solutions that has a white hardener from Lowe's or Home Depot.  I have done this in the past and it works great.  I have also cut a wood insert and glued it in,  it took a while because I had to clean up the mortise and fitting the insert was a pain. 

 

[slopjock78]

I never thought about bondo.  Seems like that would be the easiest solution....would fill all the nooks and imperfections and will sand down and paint nicely.  I like it

 

[mike_aa]

[member=40102]slopjock78[/member]

You might also check at your paint supplier for the Bondo.  In the past, I've purchased it at a local Sherwin Williams paint store.

Mike A.

 

[tjbnwi]

Cut a plug to fit the mortice, then fill. The plug should entire the mortice at least 1". You need wood backer to hold the latch bolt and dead bolt screws.

Yom

 

[sancho57]

What Yom said  [big grin]

 

[slopjock78]

I've already cut the new holes for the knob, I just put it above the old.  There will not be any knob going back where the old mechanism was, so no real need for wood for screws to hold onto.  If ii wanted to fix the door properly, I would for sure do as your suggesting.  However, in all likely hood this apartment is going to get a full remodel within the next year or so, and this door will be replaced all together.  So, would like to do it as quick and easy as possibly.

 

[unityroad]

[mad][attachimg=1][attachthumb=1][attachimg=1][attachthumb=1][attachimg=1] hope this works.

 

[jools]

That's a lot of bondo and its expensive [eek]. I would fill the void with expanding foam and then bondo, sand and paint. Obviously if you where restoring the door your best option is to use wooden plugs as above
Jools

 

[CrazyLarry]

I would have thought the fastest / cheapest would be to make a quick undersized /rough plug with some scrap and embed it in with epoxy filler which is I assume what this 'bondo' is? Let it harden and plane / sand off.

 

[slopjock78]

Larry, yep, that is exactly what bondo is. 

Luckily, I have a paint/body shop very near me that I was able to pick up a small can of filler very reasonably.  I do plan on filling the mortise with a plug to take up some of the space, then fill in the left over space will filler, sand, and paint.

thanks for all the help!