Fixing small gouges in old houses

[Tom Hull]

This is a method born of desperation. I have this house that is the Red Cape Cod style house from the Fair set. and beside some standard broken pieces that required some repair, it had a chunk out of it's distinctive large front window and a gouge in the roof and I came up with this method of repair. I first cut some small pieces of paper which is an old-fashioned brown wrapping paper. I then glue the pieces BEHIND the area that needs the patch. Then I mix up some water putty quite thick and paint it on with a brush. I smooth it out with a toothpick. In the photo of the finished patch there is a bit in the corner that I removed with a toothpick. Among other things I have discovered a piece of loofha sponge makes a nice sanding block for this water putty. Works VERY well and actually nicer than sandpaper.

[Tom Hull]

This shows the completed window repair and the start of the roof gouge repair that is now done. This is a quick and simple repair - just needs to be painted and new coconut applied. This water putty mixed up fairly thick is good to fill cracks and holes and other areas in this house that needed attention. Tom

[paulrace]

Great stuff, Tom, thanks for the tips!