This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture, which is typically sitting out in the elements. . Maybe you just didn't sand enough? If you need to add a chemical hardener to your chosen wood putty, you have to take those chemicals into mind as well. Wood putty might look like it costs more upfront, but you use it way less than wood filler. Deeper or larger holes may require the assistance of aputty knife. I usually take the closest one, start with that in the hand, and add until I get a color hit. Due to the similar purpose, these two products are often used interchangeably. Is wood filler stainable is a common question asked by DIYers that are having difficulty color-matching wood putty. As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to use the Zibra 2" Palm Pro to paint furniture. Wood filler is a bit different from wood putty and designed for very different circumstances. For this reason, it is great for workpieces that have already been finished that need a touch-up. Jazzdog, too late for that technique.:>(. Commenting has been disabled. Paintable wood filler is also commonly available. The differences between wood putty and wood filler begin with the composition of each product. Several colors are available. ounce quick wood To help you out, weve written this complete guide on wood putty vs. wood filler. If youre repairing furniture, wood putty may be your best option because of this. The QuikWood 471050-24 Putty Stick comes in an easy-to-use stick form, making it perfect for small holes. Is it OK to copy projects from the magazine? In rereading, it sounds a little that way. Choosing a wood filler with cellulose can help it stain a bit better. But for a quick spruce-up, colored markers are just the ticket. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. See if you can get Cal-tints. Or maybe you are reffering to prefininshed wood? It is not the easiest filler to use because of this. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce. **Sometimes there is some grit and grim around the edges where the hardware sat for years, so if necessary, I take a 150 grit piece of sandpaper and sand down those areas until everything is even and smooth. Enter now for your chance to win more than $2,000 worth of woodworking equipment from Woodpeckers. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, My Favorite Primer To Use When I Paint Furniture! These two terms are often used interchangeably by experts and newbies alike. Although it isn't much of a problem indiffuse-porous woods like maple, it can be difficult to apply putty towoods like oak and mahogany without some smearing and localized pore filling taking place,whichcan beconspicuous and unattractive when finish is applied. Wood putty is often referred to as plastic wood. It is one of the most popular wood filling compounds in many workplaces and seems to be the default option whenever you need to fill a hole or fix a defect. Depending on the exact formula, as well as the humidity and size of the repair, wood putty may take as long as 72 hours to dry. You should use wood putty for small imperfections, like nail holes. Partially dried filler may not adhere to the wood's surface effectively. Our Recommendation: Goodfilla Wood & Grain Filler Get at Amazon for $21.99 Patch holes inside the home with this quick-drying, paintable, stainable, and sandable wood and grain filler. Done this many a time with great success. Filling holes in the drawers of your wooden furniture is something that you should definitely know how to do if you want to change or update the look. In most cases, youre going to use wood putty for all small imperfections. That's the brand. Stain markers like the one shown are available at home centers and paint stores, but plain old felt-tip markers work great too. Water-based fillershave a creamy consistency and are easy to smooth on and clean up. If you do a good enough job sanding with your finger, sanding down the filler with real sandpaper is almost unnecessary. If you want to save this blog post, just pin it to your Pinterest page and/or feel free to share it elsewhere. However, they are somewhat different and each needs to be utilized in specific circumstances. Because of this, we do not recommend that you consider costs very heavily in your decision. Try it out on the way on a scrap of trim. Just rub the pencil over the nail hole and rub off the excess with your finger or a cloth. Bosch 1617EVSPK vs DeWalt DW618PK: Which Ones Best? 9 times out of ten, I mix and match them until I get the color I want. Wood filler also dries very quickly. Typically, the best wood filler for stains contains a high amount of natural wood particles. Our Recommendation: Minwax Wood Putty Get at Amazon for $3.98 Repair stained and finished wood furniture in 10 color-matched options to popular Minwax wood stains.

Top coat. Putty should only be used on finished or stained surfaces because the chemicals that are part of its composition can be harmful to exposed wood. Just tryin to hook you up for success. 5 Best Pry Bars 2022 Reviews & Buying Guide, 5 Best Car Paint Sealants of 2022 Reviews & Top Picks. The advantage of solvent-based fillers is that they dry rock-hard, far stronger than their crumbly water-based counterparts. PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right. Many people will point out that wood putty often costs more than wood filler.

Each piece is different. It reminds us of plastic resin. Wood putty doesnt cost very much, and it lasts forever. Clean the surface with a clean cloth or a tack cloth. Find out the most common ways it can happen and how to fix it. Instead, use a color-matched wax pencil. A lot of times, people plan on using new hardware, but then they get to the end and realize that the new hardware they had in mind does not fit the old holes. However, wood putty can do this, which is exactly why it is best for this purpose. All wood putty is oil-based, but the exact oil varies widely. AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER. The standard measurement for hardware handles/pulls is typically 2.5 3.0 from center-to-center. Instead, youll end up with cracks. Who wants to stand on a ladder sanding crown? Although why would the smudges stay on the surrounding wood if the filler was sanded flush with the surrounding surface? There are also kinds of liquid wood filler products that fill narrow cracks and slivers by soaking into the wood fibers and binding with them in order to repair the damage.

He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Get complete site access to video workshops, digital plans library, online archive, and more, plus the print magazine. Repairing gouges and scratches in unfinished furniture is another great task for wood filler, but one of the most impressive uses of this product is repairing damaged edges on wood tabletops, countertops, and shelves. Youll find an overview of each as well as a discussion of their differences below. Wood putty is made a variety of different ways depending on the brand. nah. The most common oil used is boiled linseed oil, but others can be found on the market too. If you have a specific project or problem in mind, check below to see if it is covered. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Prep/Paint Laminate Furniture! These repairs can add up and cost you more money in the long run. Both wood putty and wood filler do the job of a wood hole filler, but there are limitations to both. Outdoor wood putty is made to match popular stain colors for decks and fences. Fast-drying options are available if time is of the essence. Two pro tips color putty and marking pens help you hide scratches, holes and blemishes in stained woodwork quickly and easily. *Please note, this blog post does contain affiliate links. Scoop up a small amount of filler with the edge of the knife, press the filler into the hole, and smooth off the top to remove excess. There's a right way to do this. Despite some wood putties being advertised as fast-drying, all of these products take a long time to harden. First time working with Cherry and nails (I built high end cabinetry and furniture, so nails and their holes are unfamiliar territory). These may be knicks and cracks from wear-and-tear or the holes made by nails. What should I use to fill the holes prior to polyurethane finishing? Now take a lacquer pad (very fine scotch brite looking thing) and scuff sand everything down. You can even use two or three colors on the same piece of wood to match areas of light and dark wood grain exactly. or ProLine. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb" lyrics by Roger Waters. The UTC's that I can get here are only "universal" inasmuch is they work with latex paints or waterborne finishes. This way you can just use the original screws and it works out perfectly! But sandpaper will always give you a better finish. Thanks again! Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Glue and Fix Hard-To-Reach-Areas on Furniture. Most contain calcium carbonate as well. Even a minute or two is enough for the filler to begin to develop a dry skin on top. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, Keeping Your Hardware Organized! Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In the end, youre going to be spending the same amount of money on either option. However, it is not as durable, meaning you have to do more repairs over time. That would make sense, then, since one can't sand flush with prefinished.". Timothy Dale, The 10 Best Woods for Woodworking (According to a Pro). It just depends on what you purchase. It has a cured hardness and density that is similar to wood and will not shrink or crack. The chemicals can damage the wood, defeating the purpose of the repair. I usually end up using UTCs in commercial putties, brecause there's never the right combination to match my custom finishes. . Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking. Wood filler is made up of a hardening resin solution that contains a suspension of wood byproducts. That's an activity I prefer to minimize. Maybe you just didn't sand enough? All rights reserved. However, you do apply them before your stain, so this is less of an issue. Apply the Filler With a Putty Knife (Optional), Easy Way To Freshen Up a Room? Sanding sealer or seal coat - whatever applies to your product of choice. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Strip Paint Off Wooden Furniture #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Line Drawers with Paper. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. It also can be used inside or it can be painted over after it has fully cured. You can use sawdust to make it look more natural and use it across a large area. Most people are surprised to learn that professional painters use soft colored putty to fill nail holes in stained woodwork. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. However, since it takes just a few minutes for wood filler to harden, it is an excellent choice for quick interior repairs of nicks, holes, and scratches in hardwood flooring. Below, youll find some common uses for both of these materials. Get Ron's videos and articles delivered to your inbox every weekend. The only thing they don't work with is solvent based systems like lacquers. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb" lyrics by Roger Waters. Some people skip the priming step, but I think it is important because it helps smooth out the Wood Filler even more and it also helps prevent your paint from being splotchy in the areas you just filled. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Step 3: Take the Wood Filler and Plastic Putty Knife and fill in the hole and any indentions that the previous hardware may have left in your drawer/door. depends on where you get them. You want it so you can still work it, but so if you tear a chunk off, it isn't pasty, but breaks like a cookie - so you can see crumbs in the break. Once the surface is dust-free, it's ready for primer, paint, stain, or sealer. For added durability and to help hide the filler, apply a new coat of compatible finish over the filled woodwork. Step 2: Take a small piece of painters tape or masking tape, large enough to cover the hole, and place it on the inside of the drawer/door so that you can no longer see the hole.

These might be minuscule holes created by finish nails or tiny pinprick holes caused by power brad nailers or finish nailers. This can be used after you have finished the furniture, which makes it perfect for repairing furniture that has already been sitting around for a while. A Furniture, Cabinetry & Home Decor Blog + Online Marketplace. It will not damage raw wood like wood putty will. However, this isnt really the case. If youre staining or clear-sealing the wood, filler is an obvious must. Also, in many cases, the filled holes will be covered with primer and paint, bothof which provide some stability for water-based filler. You should sand them before you add a finish. By Timothy Dale | Published Dec 23, 2021 2:12 PM. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, Zibra Square Brush #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Fill Small Cracks In Furniture #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, A Brown Paper Bag?! #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Mix Milk Paint. The reason behind this is because a lot of times I do not pick out my pulls or knobs until the end of the restoration so I can see what the paint looks like first, but if you want to plan ahead, just measure up-front and purchase the current hole-to-hole size. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. UTC's are compatible with oil and water based finishes. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building. I did not prefinish any of the millwork. I don't like Minwax very much either, but it's everywhere. There is not one that is always going to be better than the other. 9 Best Home Improvement Projects Under $500, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. Rabbeting a shelf; Strength vs. appearance, Editor's Letter: A new tool with every project. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building! Despite the factthat I hate it when other people "Monday morning quarterback" I'll offer the following tip, which I learned the hard way: Before nailing, apply pieces of masking tape to your trim and shoot your nails through the masking tape. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Remove Veneer From Furniture. The whiting will not alter your color, so I add that when I'm done playing play-doh. If you need to patch an unfinished project, use wood filler. Our Favorite Wood Putty: QuikWood 471050-24 Putty Stick, Our Favorite Wood Filler: Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler, Our reviews of the best epoxy for wood this year, Best Stainable Wood Fillers Reviews & Buyers Guide. Learn more. With wood putty, you should just be using a tiny bit on a small imperfection. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, The 3 Types of Paint-Mediums/Brands That I Currently Use To Paint Furniture. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Re-Use A Paint Tray! Once youve applied it, you have to let it dry for an extended period. Solvent-based fillers are sticky and oily and difficult to clean up if you wait until they dry. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It spreads nicely and stays put easily. Wood putty isnt as popular as wood filler because it can take a long time to dry, but this perceived shortcoming actually makes wood putty an excellent option for outdoor work. When installing trim yourself, you should strive for the same level of refinement. It it a great idea to keep a few of these markers on hand for your homes finishes, especially trim. You can find tons of different brands and many different colors. Fillers that have a higher concentration of minerals may not hold stains as well. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Test For Lead Paint. Even if I am not planning on reusing this hardware, I like to keep them on hand in case something accidentally goes wrong and I need to reuse them. Step 1: Take off your current hardware (Pulls, Knobs or whatever is currently on your piece of furniture) and put them in a baggie. It feels like soft clay and can often be quite stiff. Wood filler costs about the same as wood putty. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Build Your Own Cabinet Door Paint Spray/Dry Rack #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Accurately Measure Hardware Holes on Furniture & Cabinets #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Paint Perfect Lines on Furniture. Or maybe you are reffering to prefininshed wood? Meaning, if you take off the handle/pull and look at the back of it, this is the space in between the center of the screw holes. The pigments are mixed with glycol ethers and should disperse in both "oil" and water based media. Thanks all. I just completed trimming out my living room in Cherry. His recommendation is what most pros do. Thank you so much for stopping by for #TuesdayTipsWithFallon! The Minwax 42853000 Stainable Wood Filler is perfect for cracks and small gorges. If you used wood filler, you would have to refinish the wood. Wood filler will not stain the same as wood, even if you mix it with sawdust. This is the worst! For example, if you installed the trim with screws, or if you dimpled the wood with a hammer when driving a nail, a putty knife is better than your finger for filling a larger area and for creating a flat finished surface. The formula allows it to take a soft and pliable form thats relatively easy to apply. However, you may want to consider using a prestained filler for areas that are going to be visible. Fillers come in a few different colors to match common wood species.

They both do similar things, but using one when you should use the other can spell disaster for your project. Wood filler is applied before your finish or stain. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to use Howard Restor-A-Finish on the Outside of Your Furniture. Happy filling!! Take very fine sanding dust and mix with just enough urethane to make a putty. Paint Your Window or Door Trim, The Best Wood Fillers a Home Improvement Expert Recommends, How to Install Shoe Molding or Quarter-Round Molding, Refurbish Your Table Top so It Looks Like New, How to Update Wood Veneer Paneling With Paint, How to Refurbish Particleboard Furniture With Paint, How to Fix Chipped, Peeling Paint Before Repainting. Choosing which one is best for your project is vital to success. Sunlight can also make this material crack and dry-out, which may lead to more repairs. Knowing the differences in the chemical composition and the various color options is key to deciding where, when, and how to use wood filler or wood putty. You don't want them to show later - no problem. Youll be surprised how easily you can hide glaring scratches and dings from the casual observer. Use it on all outdoor furniture. Youre just making the filled area smooth and removing excess filler from the surrounding wood. Now, get filler in the color(s) that are going to work. Choose which one will work best for your project not which one has the lower price tag. Update Privacy Preferences House Grail is reader-supported. Also, it is important to keep them on hand because sometimes when you purchase new knobs or pulls, the length of the screws are different from what you used before, causing the screws to not fit correctly. Not trying to be arrogant. Filler can crack as it shrinks and expands in response to significant temperature changes.

I usually end up with about 3 colors matching the light, medium, and dark colors in the wood. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing. And the only way to do that is to fill the nail holes. One benefit of using crumbly water-based filler is that your finger can act as a type of sandpaper. After repairing gouges and cracks in exterior woodwork, wood putty can be painted to match the surrounding wood. However, for large breaks, you may have to use wood filler and then refinish the whole piece. What Is the Optimal Temperature for a Greenhouse? After the filler has dried for about 15 minutes, sand off the crumbles and protrusions with your finger. One of the first distinctions to keep in mind is that wood filler is prone to shrinking and cracking when its exposed to fluctuating temperatures, so it shouldnt be used outdoors. Instead of using a suspension of wood byproducts in a binder, wood putty is made with plastic-based and oil-based compounds including boiled linseed oil, calcium carbonate, and universal colorants. Watch the video below to see how I do this! You should use wood putty for filling nail holes. Copyright 2022 House Grail. You know where cherry is going to go over time, and you know that darker filler won't stand out as much as lighter. Either way, youre going to want to choose either wood putty or wood filler to cover up these defects. Still, the nuances between these two products can be difficult to understand.

It is much more of a putty-like compound, which can make it very easy to use. Heres a list. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. Wood putty can take a long time to fully dry and set. Sounds interesting.. but what are you using for filler? That's probably a good consistancy test - day old chocolate chip cookies. Then I keep the ball in a jar (save empties) and write the house on it so if there's a change down the road (there always is something) then you've got the filler already sitting there in the box. It may be better to opt for a wood filler when it comes to larger interior repairs. Theres no need to remove any wood. Dont expect this simple tip to hide deep scratches, gouges or damaged finishes from a sharp-eyed critic. Wood putty should not be used on raw wood because it often contains chemicals that can be potentially damaging. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How To Remove Dark Stains On Wood. That's actually fairly common to run into. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, How to Clean Your Paint Brush. When applying water-based filler with your finger, keep a damp cloth nearby. Skip the tape, clean smudges with a cloth dampened with naptha. Then smooth it off and polish the area with a dry rag. This forum post is now archived. Er, right, but . I dont want the filler to stand out after the cherry darkens. It is stainable, so it will resemble the surrounding wood after you complete your project. Latex is one of the most common types, as it is water-based for easy cleanups. However, this substance isnt the best for every situation. UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month. Colored putty is available at paint stores, hardware stores and home centers for about $2 per container. You can use caulk to fill nail holes in painted trim, but caulk tends to be messier and shrinks more than wood filler, and it cant be sanded smooth like filler can. Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community. Due to the composition of wood filler, it can be mixed with a wood stain in various concentrations to customize the color of the filler. Because wood putty is so popular, there are a lot of options currently available on the market. Most lighter colors darken when they are dry, so you often need to purchase a color that is lighter than you think you need. The sanding dust will darken with the wood and become invisible. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon. We recommend our users to update the browser. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. This helps prevent the Wood Filler from oozing out the other side. Wood putty is not stainable, but it does come in a range of wood colors. Use it to occasionally wipe drying filler off of your finger to ensure consistent application. Most wood fillers come in a neutral color. You can also add dyes and tints if the filler does not look like your wood. However, when it comes to wood putty vs. wood filler, its important to know which situations are better suited for putty and when a filler is an ideal option. In this case, its also important to take the time to find or mix the filler with a good color match, since the stain or sealer wont hide it. The best brush for painting spindles, detailed moldings and getting those hard to reach spots. Learn how to do it with tips along the way. All types of wood filler will be dry in less than 24 hours, though many types dry long before that. Most paint stores that I have been inuse the same tinting colors for all their paints except lacquers. Step 4: After the Wood Filler from Step 3 has dried, take a piece of 220 grit sandpaper and smooth it out. However, the more putty used for a repair, the longer it will take to fully set. I like the part about adding whiting to make it a little dryer. Using180- or 220-grit (extra-fine) sandpaper, gently sand the filler with a few light passes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Editor's Letter: Technology and the future of woodworking. Apply it to the wood with a putty knife, let it dry and then, sand it smooth. #TuesdayTipsWithFallon, Use This Product on The Drawers of Your Wooden Furniture to Make Them Look Great Again! We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Even after it dries, the putty remains flexible so it can be used for exterior repair jobs.

Installing door or window trim, baseboards, or crown molding almost always results in nail holes (and sometimes screw holes) that need filling.



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