5 Best Nail Hole Filler in 2022

Are you planning on renovating your room? Or are you looking to sell your place, and it has become necessary to hide the imperfections?

Well, in any case, walls and boards are filled with nail holes, which should be hidden at any cost. And for that, you will need the right accessory.

That is why, in this article, we will help you find the best nail hole filler. We have already picked five fillers for you while providing all the necessary information regarding them.

Along with that, you will also find a buying guide and the most frequent questions answered here.

So, let’s not delay any further and get right into it already!

5 Best Nail Hole Filler Reviews 

Finding a suitable nail hole filler may not seem like the toughest task ever, but the confusion remains there at times. That is why we have picked the five best ones for you while providing all the details that you could possibly need.

1. 3M High Strength Small Hole Repair

Do you want your repairs to be fast and easy? Are you looking to get the job done without going through much hassle? In that case, here’s the perfect product for you. This item repairs 3 times faster than traditional vinyl spackling quite easily, making it quite commendable among its users.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this item is perfectly apt for you because it is designed to produce professional-looking results. Furthermore, this spackling compound has been primer enhanced, which gives it top-notch hiding power and makes it reliable at all times.

On the other hand, this item can repair holes that are up to 3 inches in diameter, giving it an upper hand among its competitors. Besides that, it also comes with the ability to hold nails and screws firmly after repair — so you won’t have to undergo any extra hassle at all.

What makes this item truly versatile is that you will be able to use it for both exterior and interior spaces. After you are done, you can seal it using an external paint or a wood sealer for outdoors (for the best result). Moreover, to make sure the results look top-notch, the product prevents the flashing of paint.

But that’s not all. The design of the spackling makes sure to keep it long-lasting. For instance, it is made to be lightweight, which prevents it from shrinking, sagging, or cracking. As a result, you won’t have to worry about repairing the nail hole anytime soon again.

However, the product is made using an ingredient that can potentially cause cancer in humans, and hence, you should use it carefully. Furthermore, the bottle is quite thick, making it difficult for the users to squeeze the product through it.

2. DAP 12346 Drydex 5.5 Oz Raw building material

If you are willing to invest in a nail hole filler, then you should at least make sure that the investment would be worth it. While not all items guarantee an excellent value for money, this one does, which makes it quite a fan-favorite. Find out more about its amazing facilities in our comprehensive review.

The process of filling nail holes can be quite hassle-some, and you wouldn’t want to make it more frustrating by investing more time into cleaning. But that’s not something to worry about with this product because it has been designed to be easy to clean, making it really convenient.

For further convenience, the consistency of the spackling has been made in such a way that it makes it utterly easy to spread. Moreover, it comes in a tube that is quite effortless to squeeze. Hence, you won’t be facing any hassle at all while working with this time.

Why limit your uses to only the exterior or the interior when you can find a product that will work in both cases? This aspect of the product makes it rather versatile.

As a result, you won’t have to get separate products for exterior and interior uses, because this one takes care of it all for you. In fact, this one is regarded as the best exterior wood filler by many experts.

However, the item comes with a feature that sets it apart from the rest of its counterparts. And that is, it provides a signal that shows if the item is ready to sand or paint. Therefore, you won’t have to check from time to time because the stainable wood filler will let you know by itself.

But the product can get dry while remaining in the tube, which can be a major let-down for its users. Moreover, you might have a difficult time sticking the item to the wall, which can be quite an inconvenience for the users as well.

3. Elmer's E855 Carpenter's Wood Filler

If you are looking to buy a nail hole filler for multiple small tasks, then you will need one that comes in a re-sealable package. Not many fillers come in such beneficial packages, but this one does, which makes it ideal for accomplishing various tasks. Find out more about it right here.

What makes this item very convenient to use is that it can be sanded and painted on. You won’t have to worry about the filler making a mess because once it dries, it will remain intact, which will allow you to perform the aforementioned tasks without any hassle whatsoever.

In fact, the filler sands effortlessly to a very smooth finish — to the point where once you are done, you won’t be able to tell that there was a nail hole before, to begin with! You can choose to paint or to leave it all by itself once you are done sanding.

Furthermore, once you are done with your project, you won’t have to take any more trouble because the filler can be easily cleaned with water. Therefore, you won’t have to use other items for the cleaning process either, and you surely won’t have to worry about it making a mess.

When it comes to longevity, this item won’t let you down either. To make sure the filler makes a long-lasting impression, its formula has been created in such a way that makes sure it resists shrinking and cracking at all times. As a result, the results will remain top-notch for a long time.

However, the filler might seem stiff and clumpy, which can make it rather difficult to use. Hence, you will have to put extra effort into making it work. On the other hand, the texture of the product is quite dusty, which makes it disappointing.

4. Minwax 13616000 Wood Putty

Are you looking for a nail hole filler that will provide multiple color options for you to choose from? In that case, here’s one that you should check out right away. Other than that, it offers other commendable features that make it one of a kind. Find out about those facilities in our review.

If you are a beginner and have little to no prior experience in this field, then you will surely need something easy to use. And we can assure you that this is the perfect item for that. In fact, working with this is so convenient that you won’t have to sand afterward either, which will save your time as well.

One major cause of frustration while working with such products is that the item gets stiff, making it difficult to spread. But that’s not an issue you will have to face because it comes with a non-hardening formula. As a result, you can expect it to remain smooth.

The versatility that this product offers will only amaze you. For instance, you will be able to repair minor scratches as well as gouges with this, along with filling nail holes, of course. Hence, you can use this one product for all the issues instead of buying them separately.

Moreover, this item works on a variety of surfaces, which makes it even more versatile. You can use it on painted, bare, stained, and even finished wood. Its uses know no limits, which makes it even more convenient for the uses. So you can use it in every part of your house.

5. Red Devil 0542 ONETIME Lightweight Spackling

Filling nail holes may seem like a small task, but often it takes a lot more time than one can think. That is why it is necessary to get a filler that will dry fast, which will allow you to paint over it as fast as possible. And here’s an item just like that. Find out more about its fantastic facilities here.

What makes it even more convenient as a product is that you will be able to use it anywhere around the house because it is meant for both exterior and interior use. As a result, you won’t have to spend extra money on getting a separate product for different applications around your place.

No matter where you use this item, you won’t face any hassle whatsoever because it is quite effortless to work with. For instance, it spreads pretty easily, and you will be able to use it with any putty knife. With minimal effort, you will be able to bring in a professional look.

For further convenience, the spackling requires no sanding whatsoever. All you will have to do is smooth in the repair flush where necessary, and that’s about it. There are no additional tasks for you to take care of, and hence, you won’t have to invest extra time or energy on this.

Are you concerned about going through the hassle of filling the hole all over again? Well, with this one, there’s nothing to fret about because, with one application, you will be getting a long-lasting repair. This repair will be permanent, as it won’t shrink or crack.

But you will have to be a little careful during its application, as it can drop messy clumps all over the place. On the other hand, the hole or the joint gap might become visible once the paint dries up, so you will have to coat it cautiously.

What to Look For Before Buying?

Whether you have worked with nail hole fillers or not doesn’t change the fact that various factors need to be considered when getting one, and that is simply because not all of them will be suitable for your requirements.

That is why you should take your time before choosing one. And by that we mean, you should examine the crucial factors of the product, and then come to a decision.

To make the process easier for you, we have made a list of all the facilities that are important. Along with that, we have provided sufficient details as well. If you keep these in mind, then you surely won’t be disappointed with your purchase.

Size of the Nail Hole You Would Be Filling 

Not all products are fit for filling holes of various sizes. There is wood filler for large holes and vice versa. That is why, before you purchase a filler, you should determine the size of the nail holes first.

Once you have determined the size, make sure the filler is suitable for it.

Is It Hardening or Non-Hardening? 

You will find two types of fillers out there — hardening and non-hardening.

The former is suitable for surfaces that need to be sanded and painted — basically completely raw surfaces.

On the other hand, the latter is more suited for non-hardening surfaces, which have been painted and finished already.

Is It Pre-Mixed or Not? 

Mostly, before using a filler, you would be advised to use a primer for better results. However, if you don’t have time for that, then you can choose a pre-mixed filler.

The benefit of a pre-mixed formula is that they have been combined with a primer already, so you won’t have to prep anything extra before application.

The Drying Time of the Filler 

You will find fillers with various drying times- some dry within minutes, and others can take days.

If you are prone to making mistakes when doing such projects, then you should go for one with a slow drying time.

However, on average, most fillers take about 24-48 hours to dry.

Reachability of the Filler 

Sometimes you will have to fill nail holes that are deep within corners and nooks. For that, you will need a filler that comes in a tube that is highly reachable in such difficult areas.

However, if that is not a priority and if you mostly need to fill holes in open surfaces, then you shouldn’t bother.

Is the Filler Sandable and Paintable? 

Although we have discussed the type of fillers that are sandable and paintable, this is quite a necessary factor.

That is because sanding and painting will make the surface more even.

Furthermore, without it, the nail hole may look different from the rest of the surface even after it has been filled.

Colour of the Filler 

If you don’t plan on sanding or painting on the surface anyway, then you should go for a colored filler.

And, you should also make sure that the color matches the surface completely.

In that case, you should look for the ones that come with multiple color options. Also, make sure the color doesn’t change once it dries.

Is It Worth the Money? 

Nail hole fillers are reasonably priced, and there is no point in splurging on one.

You will find a great one within 15 dollars, and spending much more than that just won’t be worth it. At the same time, these do come in smaller quantities mostly. So, if you're looking for wood fillers for decks, then you should opt for larger options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it necessary to sand after filling nail holes? 

There are some fillers that don’t require any sanding at all. However, there are others, for which sanding is a must. To find out whether or not it would be necessary to sand, you will have to go through the instructions manual or the description of the item during purchase.

2. How do I prevent the remaining filler from drying up in the tube? 

One of the major issues that you will have to face with fillers is that they can get dried up in their tubes. To make sure that doesn’t happen, you should seal the tube properly, which will prevent any sort of moisture or air from getting in. If you can assure that, then the filler will go a long way.

3. Can I use nail hole fillers to fix other minor issues as well? 

Yes, nail hole fillers aren’t necessarily only suitable for nail holes— they can be used to fix other minor issues, such as scratches too. Of course, the procedure of fixing both the issues is not similar. Hence, to fix scratches, you will have to go through the instructions properly before application.

4. How long can I expect a filler to last? 

That mostly depends on the filler that you will be using. There are some fillers that are the best wood hardeners; whereas, you’ll find some that are non-hardening. The former is meant to be a permanent solution, so they are supposed to last for years. However, the latter may only last for a few months.

5. How much do nail hole fillers cost in general? 

Nail hole fillers do not fall under the category of expensive woodworking accessories, so you can rest assured about most of them being reasonably priced. You will be able to find a great one within 10-20 dollars. However, the price can go higher or lower depending on the brand itself.

Final Words

Finding the best nail hole filler is fairly easy but tricky at the same time. You will find plenty available out there, which will make the process even more confusing.

But before purchasing, you should always prioritize your work requirements, which will let you find the aptest one for you.

Before signing off, we would like to recommend this content if you're looking for a 15 gauge finish nailer.