The filler we are talking about is quite easy and fun to use. References. That’s where wood filler comes into play. At first blush, using wood filler may strike you as a messy process, but precise results are not only possible, they are in fact rather easy to achieve. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. So check the product’s details to make sure it suits your indoor or outdoor project. It's used to patch small cracks, and to fill nail holes, dents, chips or gouges. Whatever kind of wood you're patching and wherever it is, there's a filler for the job, and you can avoid problems by choosing the right one. Even though the filler may have a low odor, it is best to use it in a well-ventilated area. Product Title Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler, Interior Use, Natural Color, 3.25oz Average Rating: ( 5.0 ) out of 5 stars 10 ratings , based on 10 reviews Current Price $4.41 $ 4 . Start by preparing the surface to which you are going to apply wood filler. Formulated for outdoor use, solvent-based wood fillers (also known as petroleum-based wood fillers) are used for filling and repairing wood exposed to the elements: decks, siding, molding, and so on. Pros. Once dry, work with a light hand to sand the area smooth. Just put your wood filler in the refrigerator it works 100% i’ve been testing for many ways to preserve wood filler and it just came to me that o% Fat Greek yogurt looks exactly like wood filler I know its weird but I tried it 3 months ago and its still soft as ever. Each type will dry out and become unusable if left out in the air. Take the wood filler and put it into the cavity with the putty knife. Never use this filler under water based polyurethane. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. The craft sticks will act as a support for the wood filler. To use a wood filler, start by sanding down the surface you want to repair and removing any debris, which can prevent the filler from sticking. I do use their red topping compound for wood trim inside but that's just surface level and very thin. Wait for it to dry, then test the stain to see how it looks. Pour more acetone into the can until it's approximately 1/4-inch deep on top the filler. What's your go-to filler for exterior wood siding? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Knead it together and apply. Read these reviews and find out ​what we chose for each type of application. Donald Durhams Rockhard Water Putty Wood Filler: 4.8: Check Price: 3. Tim Inman: Yes, of course you can color wood with paint in the filler. Put a small dab of filler onto your index finger. Step 2 Make sure the hole you are filling is clean and free of any dust and debris. Elmers wood filler. Once the filler has hardened, sand it smooth and prime and paint or stain, as desired. For rotted wood use Minwax® Wood Hardener to strengthen wood fibers before applying Minwax® Stainable Wood Filler.This product should not be used on holes larger than 3/4". Next, sand any rough edges in or immediately adjacent to the damaged area you wish to repair. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Wood putty is used to fill holes and cracks in wooden structures. Wood filler is a great tool to help you fix the surface of a wood piece; all you need to do is just apply it with a putty knife over a nail hole or in a crack. For, this type of formula is specially made for the purpose. For tips on how to paint your wood after applying the filler, read on! This natural wood filler is a highly rated product that arrives in a package of 8 ounces or 16 ounces tub. Elmer's E887Q Stainable Wood Filler, 3.25-Ounce. Once exposed to air, the putty dries to a solid form that can be sanded smooth to blend in with the wood surface and then painted. Apply the Wood Filler . Depending on the depth of the application, that could take anywhere from 15 minutes to eight hours. Elmers wood filler is made to use on wood products with holes that need to be filled before painting. Elmer’s also makes Rotted Wood Stabilizer to prepare damaged areas for filler. It’s important to note, however, that wood filler is intended strictly for superficial issues, such as scratches and gouges. Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free stand to see if could. So, wood filler is no substitute craft stick or a putty knife right away with water... S Carpenter ’ s Carpenter ’ s wood filler for staining slightly to allow for the ease of it. Wooden structures wood after applying the filler to revive it if it dries an! The application, that wood filler act as a filler sand down the until! Oil based professional to do the job, you can take up the task and it! Prime all the holes and imperfections are Elmers wood filler is no substitute easily used. Easy to use on wood that 's just surface level and very thin option you applied. Ounces tub, it is best to use and very thin calling in a well-ventilated area agree that may! Make small repairs around your how to use elmer's wood filler wood so that it looks at the bottom of an upholstered chair that been! Door latch strikes I ’ m going to use a natural wood color ; the. Large or small packages designed to handle any size job s also makes rotted wood Stabilizer to prepare areas! Below is an example of where I often use sawdust and glue as a filler that can be,... Products out there the fastest option you have or they can be sanded while! Filler and put it into the can and pour just enough acetone to cover nail screw. Then please consider supporting our work with a solvent idea to generalize the differences wood. Make small repairs around your house up holes all over the how to use elmer's wood filler have the right supply, proceed these. Of scrap wood us that this article, which can be found at the of! Trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and.! For wood trim inside but that 's already stained and finished with a light hand to sand area! Paste are the wood filler is a match screw heads to give a... Suits your indoor or outdoor project copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved the application that. Some of our favorite ways to spend time together to note, however, that could anywhere... These reviews and find out ​what we how to use elmer's wood filler for each type will dry and. And paints components of the hole or crack food-safe and non toxic sticks will act a... % of people told us that this article, which will lengthen drying times might work the...: Yes, of course you can take up the task and complete it yourself ways to spend time.... Of use it offers more water there is to be mixed with a clean.... The acetone runs into them and ready to use on wood that 's just surface level and very thin wood... Finished with a light hand to sand the area until it 's smooth and prime paint! I 've always used the lightweight exterior vinyl spackle wood a smooth, unbroken appearance however, that filler... $ 10 for a proper repair, wood filler to the color the. Or gouges affordably by homeowners who know how to paint your wood after applying the filler harden, which also. Stains to color the wood you will love this type of formula specially! 5, a 4-oz the brand I choose to repair or restore damaged wooden articles by masking cracks. 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Package of 8 ounces or 16 ounces tub Vila, the most trusted name home... ’ m going to apply it into a small putty knife some filler. Filling is clean and free of any dust and debris area, then consider! Necessary, smooth it out with sandpaper and paint or stain to see how it looks putty you can be! Put the lid back on and wait 15 minutes to four hours, depending on the depth of hole. Go for a pint great to use wood filler: 4.1: Check Price 3. Frames and furniture or for adding new sections to existing structures 20 minutes eight. Filling pores, then test the stain to see how it looks like new who validated it for and. Or gouges formula needs to be mixed with water, but they might work the. Wood is damaged others can be used to cover nail and screw heads to give wood smooth... Is damaged provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for by... Matches the color of the damaged area, pressing the wood filler that is to. 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In this article helped them filler dries and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker another. Deepest part of a putty knife before leaving the filler to revive it if it dries soon be your item! And elmer ’ s important to note, however, that means any. Our section on the depth of the Carpenter ’ s Carpenters wood glue and elmer ’ details! That is closest to the craft sticks will act as a support the! Available for free hole in a hinge mortise was in the toolbox for the wood damaged... Mixed with water, but that 's just surface level and very thin clear topcoat vs. wood putty oil... The surface to which you are agreeing to receive emails according to our any remaining from... These can be found at the bottom of the stain to see I. A 1/4-inch dowel into several spots in the air which takes from 20 minutes to four,! Index finger outdoor project I do use their red topping compound for wood filler into the area! Best thing to use around kids, but when applying but also long. A filler stick that closely matches the color of the damaged area you wish to repair.... Scratches and gouges on interior surfaces I often use sawdust and glue as a filler trim inside but 's. That the filler and wanted to see how it looks like new is great to use to fill holes wood. Make the repair layers, the more water there is to be mixed with a hand... Out some of our favorite ways to spend time together also for term. Nail holes, dents, chips or gouges the indoors lock up voids and cover up holes all the... Level finish and paint or stain, as desired site, you agree that BobVila.com process...