Steaming Wood Dents

Putting up new molding, baseboard, or trim? Today you'll learn how to refresh dented wood... when an unfinished surface isn't lookin' too good!

Barbara Billingsly, who played June Cleaver on the "Leave it to Beaver" television show, was born on this day in 1922. In the Cleaver household, she was often the problem-solver, like the time Ward decided to let the boys help him install some window trim while he did molding. Wally installed baseboards while Beaver nailed trim. After only a few strokes both followed a hit or two with a miss. June entered offering help. "It needs to be steamed," she said, getting out a soft dishtowel and her steam iron. Ward and the boys watched as she covered the hammer dents with the dampened cloth, adding both heat and more moisture with the hot iron. Soon the wood fibers softened and many of the dents began to disappear. A few remained. They had to be filled and sanded. And that's the On The House tip for today.

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