When it comes to wooden structures, dents, scratches, and rots are quite common. And these problems can deteriorate the overall looks of the fixtures substantially. If you rely on the professionals for fixing all of these blemishes, you will have to pay quite a chunk of money.
And if you do not want to spend that much money on restoring your damaged fixtures' looks, you should get the best stainable wood filler. These are the most cost-effective option that will get rid of most of the blemishes that occur on wood over time.
You can use it to fill nail holes, cracks, and most of the other imperfections. And they will dry into something that is rock hard, which will allow the fixtures to retain the looks that it had prior to the damages.
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5 Best Stainable Wood Filler Reviews
There are multiple wood filling products out in the market. They will come in different consistencies, dry rates, and textures. To make it easier for you to choose the right one, we have huddled a list of the ones that we believe are worth checking out. They are as stated:
1. FamoWood 40022126 Latex
Among all of the filling products that are out there, the ones that do not have any solvent in them are professional quality ones. And this one from FamoWood is one of them.
First of all, the formula that it boasts is entirely solvent-free. That makes it capable of drying up exceptionally fast. It will take about 15 minutes to dry up. That means you will not have to wait that long to use your fixtures again after you are done with the restoring process.
Once it dries up, it will become a rock-solid material that will have no signs of shrinking, crumbling, and cracking. As a result, it will be easier for you to work with them after they have dried up. You will not have to worry about damaging them.
Aside from that, you can sand it, paint it, and stain it pretty easily after it dries up. It accepts paints and stains just like a regular piece of wood after drying up. That will make it easier for you to make it achieve the look that the fixture once had before the damages.
Alongside that, the formula has a substantially low amount of odor. It will not stink like some of the average quality ones that are out there. Also, as it is solvent-free, you will be able to clean it up pretty easily as well.
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2. Minwax 42853000
Not all of the filling products that you are going to stumble upon will accept penetrating stains. However, if you were looking for one, you should consider this one that is from Minwax.
To start with, it features a unique formula that will enable you to use penetrating stains on top of it after it dries up completely. It can also accept most of the other types of stains. You can work with oil-based and water-based coatings on it.
Aside from that, the formula dries up exceptionally fast. You will not have to wait for an entire day for it to dry up. And once it does dry up, you can make apply paint and other coatings on it pretty easily. It will accept them like it is a piece of regular wood.
Apart from that, you will be able to sand it if you want to. That will enable you to make it achieve the shape that you were looking for. Also, the cleanup process of the unit is pretty straightforward. All you are going to need is water for cleaning it up.
It also has the ability to hold onto screws and nails. For that reason, you can use it like it is a part of the wooden fixture that you are working on. The formula can resist shrinking and cracking exceptionally well too. So the looks that you are going to get will be long-lasting.
However, if you're specifically looking for a formula to fix larger holes, then check out this article.
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3. Elmer's E887Q
Are you looking for something that will firmly hold onto the screws, nails, and anchors after drying up? Well, what you are probably looking for is this one that Elmer's is offering.
To begin with, it also features a solvent-free formula. And as there is no solvent in the formula, it will take a considerably short amount of time to dry up. You will not have to wait that long to start working on restoring your damaged fixture's looks after you apply this.
Alongside that, it becomes a durable part of the wooden structure after drying up. It will not crack, nor will it shrink or crumble into places when you are working on it. That means that the looks that you are going to get after it dries up will last for an extended amount of time without showing any issues.
Aside from that, the formula contains real fibers of the wood. That makes it sandable, stainable, and paintable. And you will not be able to tell the difference whether it is a filler or a piece of wood after painting and staining it because of how well it accepts them.
It can also hold onto screws, bolts, nails, and anchors just like a block of regular wood. And as this filler for nail hole comes in a resealable tube, it will be pretty for you to work with and store it.
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4. Bondo 20082
Want to make quick repairs on your damaged and rotted wood? Well, in that case, you should definitely put what Bondo is offering on your consideration list.
First of all, it accepts both paints and stains exceptionally well. You will not have to apply any other coating on the top just change the looks of the surface. And when it dries up, it achieves a medium brown color, which might not require any paint or stain depending on the wooden structure that you are working on.
Alongside that, the formula that it utilizes dries up reasonably fast. It takes only 15 minutes to settle and turn into something that is rock-solid. After that, you will be able to sand it to make it achieve the shape you were looking for. And after 25 minutes of application, you can make it receive paint and stain.
Aside from that, the kit contains a hardener and a filler. The hardener allows it to achieve a high level of durability. After mixing it, the filling solution will become more resistant to cracking, crumbling, and shrinking. And it can resist water as well. That means the surface will be less prone to water damages after you apply this.
Lastly, the application process is reasonably straightforward. You will have to mix the hardener with the filling solution and apply it to the fixture that you are planning to repair. For learning in-depth about wood hardeners, you can check our additional resources.
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5. Timbermate Walnut Filler
If you were in the search for something that is not only easy to work with but also easy to clean, then you should definitely check out this unit that is being offered by Timbermate.
First of all, the formula that the unit sports can be penetrated reasonably easily. That means it will not be difficult for you to put any sort of stain and paint on top of it when it dries up. And most of the paints and stains do end up looking beautiful on it because of the texture.
Aside from that, it dries up reasonably fast. You can put the coating of paint and stain on top of it after a couple of minutes. And after it does dry up, it will not show any signs of crumbling and shrinking. So what you are going to end up with will be exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
Other than that, as the formula is water-based, it will be pretty easy for you to clean it up. You can easily clean it up using just water and some mild cleaning solution. That means even if you apply it on a surface that you were not planning to apply it on, you will not have to go through any intricate processes.
Besides that, it comes in a resealable jar that will make it easier for you to store it after using some of it.
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Things to Consider Before Buying
We are aware that you are pretty thrilled to get one of the putties on your hands to start the restoration process. But if you do not want to make a wrong purchase decision, you will have to keep some factors in mind alongside just going through the reviews. The points that you need to factor in are as follows:
Quantity
First and foremost, you need to consider how much of putty do you actually need. For this, you need to factor in the amount of damage that is on the structure.
If the damage or the blemish is reasonably large, you would need something that comes in a large quantity like those fillers for wooden decks. However, if the imperfections are not as large, then you should be good with something that comes in small tubes.
And do note that it is better to have more than what you are going to need. Most of these will come in a resealable container. So even if you do not end up using all of it, you can easily store it. Because of having a high shelf life, these are not going to get ruined that easily either.
Drying Time
The drying time is an important factor that you need to consider when you are purchasing one of these. And in this case, the faster the formula is going to dry, the less the amount you have to wait to finish your restoration process. Considering that, we would recommend you to opt for the ones that take a reasonably low amount of time to dry up.
Sanding Capability
Alongside the drying time, you should also factor in the sanding capability of the formula. If you happen to get something that can not be sanded, you will have a tough time trying to get the shape that you were planning for.
You will also need to be extra cautious when applying them as you can not change the shape after it dries up. For that reason, you should opt for the ones that can be sanded after drying up.
Durability
Most of the fillers will have a high sanding capability and will dry up fast. However, not all of them will be able to offer you a high level of durability. And if you do end up purchasing one that is not durable, cracking, crumbling, and shrinking will occur after they dry up. Those can make the wood look bad.
So, if you want to end up with something that will last long without showing any sort of issues, you would want to shoot for the ones that are durable and do not crack, crumble, or shrink over time.
Paint and Stain Receiving Capability
Lastly, you need to consider how well does the putty can receive paint and stain. For this, you should check if the formula is penetrable or not. The higher the penetrable characteristics, the better it will be able to accept paint and stains.
And with one of them, you can get the looks that you were looking for pretty easily. For that reason, you should put a high priority on this factor.
Types of Wood Fillers
Wood fillers generally consist of wood particles and fibers. They are blended together with a binder that makes them turn into something rock solid. Nevertheless, there are two different types of them. And the types generally depend on the formula.
One of them is water-based. The texture of these is a bit crumbly. These contain a low amount of VOC and toxins. As a result, these tend to have a low amount of odor.
They are also easier to work with. Alongside that, because of being water-based, you will not have to go through any hassles in the case of cleaning them up. They can be easily cleaned using water and some mild cleaning solution.
On the other hand, the other type is petroleum-based. These have a considerable amount of VOCs in them. For that reason, the odor is a bit high compared to the water-based ones. Alongside that, you will also need acetone, mineral spirits, or other types of chemical solvent to clean these up.
In terms of durability, the petroleum-based ones tend to be more durable as they can fill up joints and can bond with wood reasonably well. However, the durability of the water-based ones is not that far off from what the petroleum-based ones have to offer. Therefore, you can use these as exterior wood fillers in some cases.
How to Apply Wood Filler?
The application process of filler products is reasonably easy. You will not have to go through any intricate processes for these. That being said, the step-by-step process for the application process is as stated:
Step-1: Mix the Putty Properly
Putties tend to separate after sitting for a while. For that reason, you need to mix them well before you start applying them on the wooden surface. Use a knife or an applicator to stir the putty properly in the container. Stir it until the color is uniform and the texture of it is uniform.
Step-2: Apply the Filler with a Knife or an Applicator
For applying the putty, you need to use the same knife or the applicator that you used for mixing it. Take some on the end of the applicator that you are using and press it into the surface. Wipe the excess off using the applicator. Repeat the process until you have covered all of the blemishes.
Step-3: Let It Dry
After finishing off the application process, you need to let it sit and dry up. Once it does dry up, shape it using a sander, and apply your desired coating on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there any difference between wood fillers and wood putty?
There is not a major difference between them. Both of them are the same thing. One difference that sets them a bit apart is that fillers are usually water-based, while the ones that people call putty are mostly petroleum-based.
2. Can I fill large gaps using wood fillers?
Yes, you can fill up large gaps using fillers. However, the durability of the structure might not be that high if you use fillers to fill a large-sized gap.
3. Are fillers as strong as wood?
Not really. Fillers usually have wood particles and fiber in them, but they are not as strong as wood. For that reason, they are not usually recommended to fill up large-sized gaps in between the wooden structures.
4. How long does it take for a filler to dry up completely?
The drying time for most of the fillers is pretty short. Most will dry up within 15 minutes, while there are many that will dry up in ten minutes.
5. Can I use filler to repair rotten wood?
Yes, you will be able to use these for repairing the rotten parts of a wooden structure. They do a great job in hiding the rots and restoring the original looks of the structure.
Final Words
Now that you have gone through the entire article, you are now fully prepared to head out in the market and get the best stainable wood filler. To conclude, we hope that the one you pick up allows you to easily get the old looks of your wooden back.
