How do you fix...?

Question

the wood molding under a window?

Answer 1

if it's split, wood glue. if it's rotten, replace. if it leaks, silicone. more info, please?

hmmmm... i've used silicone before and it's worked great... but in your instance? remove the window and use wood glue. get a small clamp to hold it together, but don't forget to use 2 very small pcs of wood in between so the clamp doesn't dent up the molding. let dry very well before replacing. if you have to sand, do so, but only if you have the matching stain. otherwise, you'd have to refinish whole molding, and  regardless... the stain will more than likely show up the crack... if you can just glue, great! (after clamping, wipe off excess glue with damp rag while it's still wet) try to get all the glue off the glass too.....

if the split is VERY bad you'll have a hard time getting it to seal, so then the best bet is to just replace... when you remove it, strip the entire molding and restain... you'll have a hard time getting the stain to match, so dont go lighter with the stain... if you can paint, it would match, but then you dont want to use a stripper that's very oily on old wood.. it'll suck it up and paint wont stick well.... and if you DO paint, sand the inside ledge down slightly and don't overpaint... otherwise the window will stick...

will that do ya? let me know.........

Answer 2

Use wood putty.  Here is a video on how to use it.  The video goes into detail on using it for nail holes, but the same process could be used for a crack.  It comes in many colors so you can get one that matches.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/Wood_Putty_...

Answer 3

replace. if leaking start again take the window out and find out why. Silicon is the diy to disaster. if done correctly no silicon will be required. that is if it is rotten. is it internal or external?