DIY: How to repair a weathered wooden windowsill in the home

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if your window sills looking shabby it’s time to take action before serious rot takes hold. Pick a fine, warmish day and start in the morning to ensure good drying times.

WHAT YOU NEED:

* A flexible filler knife

* Wood Filler. Ronseal High Performance filler is ideal and once dry is super strong but flexible.

* Sand paper or an orbital sander. A small mouse sander is handy for pokey corners.

* A soft good quality bristle paint brush. 1-2” should be fine.

* Chosen varnish or paint, plus a primer if using a painted finish. Always check the products are exterior grade.

1 Scrape the chipped and peeling paint off with a metal scraper work carefully at a shallow angle.

2 Fill any cracks or dings with a commercial wood filler using your flexible knife, ensuring any rotten, soft wood has been removed. These products harden quickly, so get it right in the first few minutes.

3 Leave the filler to harden according to the manufacturers instructions. Sand the sill with 100 grit paper.

4 Prime the sill with an oil based primer if you intend to paint the sill, working evenly with long strokes. Allow to dry.

5 Apply an exterior grade wood paint or varnish using a natural bristle brush. Don’t overload the brush and watch out for drips.