Since it hardens and does not remain flexible, wood filler is an option for repairing damaged interior walls but not a good choice for exterior repairs. Filler can crack as it shrinks and expands in response to significant temperature changes.
Because it doesn't harden like wood filler, wood putty won't shrink or crack, but you can't sand it. You can't stain it either, although many types of putty, such as the those in the Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit, are colorized to match various wood tones, so staining is unnecessary.
Solvent based wood fillers
Solvent based fillers are durable and typically used for large gaps. Plastic wood by DAP is a good example. Some of these compounds contain wood fibers and are advertised as stronger than wood, meaning you can place nails and anchors within the filler itself.
Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler Interior
It's formulated to resist cracking and shrinking and can be sanded to a perfectly smooth finish.
Since it hardens and does not remain flexible, wood filler is an option for repairing damaged interior walls but not a good choice for exterior repairs. Filler can crack as it shrinks and expands in response to significant temperature changes.
Since wood filler lacks adhesive properties, it will be necessary to apply some seal on top of it. But, it is more versatile than wood putty and you can use it on various finishes.
Gorilla Epoxy is a putty that can do the job well. You may not be able to finish it like regular wood filler, but it can do a good job of filling small gaps that are unseen.
What's the difference between spackle and wood filler? The difference between spackle and wood filler may be hard to tell because they both fill holes on flat surfaces before painting and they are both sandable. But the key difference between spackle and wood filler is that spackle is not stainable like wood filler is.
For wood that is significantly damaged or rotten, Bondo will create a stronger bond for the wood restoration. If you are repairing metal or fiberglass, you will absolutely want to use Bondo. Bondo can be used to repair damaged wood, it just will not have the same stainable wood-look that wood filler has.
Woodfiller does not permanently fill gaps
But the size of those gaps changes all year long and the woodfiller in those gaps isn't elastic enough to swell and shrink with the seasons and so will just get pummeled and eventually break up and look like kitty litter.
A good way to keep the wood filler from drying out is to store it in a zip baggie which has had the excess air squeezed out upon closure. I have a can of filler that is some years old and still plyable!
Cellulose filters are incredibly strong because they have real wood fibres in them. It is basically like filling a crack in wood with MDF. They usually come as a dry paste that you mix.
Give the filler at least 30 minutes to harden; a full hour is even better. True wood fillers may dry so hard that you'll have a tough time hand-sanding it. It's better to use an oscillating sander, starting with medium-grit sandpaper and following with fine 180- or 220-grit paper.
Since wood filler dries hard and doesn't flex with the expansion and contraction of wood during temperature changes, it isn't suitable for exterior applications. Here are a few examples of the best uses for wood filler: Repair dents, gashes, and gouges in unfinished furniture. Fix holes in wood flooring.
Sawdust/Glue
Another option is to use sawdust and wood glue. Mix the sawdust and glue together until you have a thick paste. Then, apply it to the hole and let it dry.
Minwax® Color-Matched Wood Filler is a high-quality, no-sand solution for defects in finished wood. The ready-to-use formula is ideal for repairing cracks, gouges, nail holes, knot holes, and other defects in all types of finished or unfinished indoor and outdoor wood surfaces.
Generally, wood filler hardens to a sandable consistency. While this works well for indoor projects, outdoor projects tend to separate from the wood filler as the wood expands and contracts with the seasons. What is this? On the other hand, the wood putty has a more pliable texture even after it dries.
These are some of the benefits of using wood fillers: Quick-drying – Contrary to wood putty, which may remain wet and flexible even after a few hours, wood fillers dry much quicker into a hardened finish. Wood fillers are perfect as a quick fix, as some kinds available in the market can dry in as little as 10 minutes.
On the other hand, caulk is terrible for filling nail holes and other holes in wood because over time it will shrink and cause a divot. And wood filler is a terrible choice for filling gaps in trim – it would take forever to apply and sand.
Like wood filler, spackle is used to fill nail holes, small cracks, and minor defects, but whereas wood filler is used with wood and wood-based materials, spackle is mainly used with plaster. That said, there are times when plaster can be used to make a wood surface smoother, but more on that later.
To explain, solvent-based fillers are made from epoxy or vinyl. In contrast, water-based fillers are a combination of wood fibres, cellulose and gypsum to form a solid, organic compound. Water-based wood fillers are suitable for indoor applications while solvent-based fillers are preferable for outdoor uses.
If you are looking to cover major damage on an indoor wooden structure, then a wood filler would be perfect. Since indoor structures are protected from the elements, they don't expand or contract dramatically. Plus, the wood filler dries faster than wood putty.
2 Part High Performance Wood Filler is a fast-drying exterior and interior wood filler. The 2 Part Wood Filler is easy to mix and apply and is completely weatherproof. Once mixed, the filler sets hard to a shatterproof finish in approximately 30 minutes and may be drilled, carved or planed once dry.