Wood filler dries faster that wood putty and most types will start drying in as little as 10 minutes after application. If you want to know more about these two items and dive into the world of woodcraft to fix all those tiny imperfections, read along to the rest of this article. You can choose to use a water-based product, which can easily be thinned by adding more water. Till now, we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of both of these products. We can file and sand over it when it has dried. The screws won’t grip on the surface anymore! Wood filler is for patching large holes or blemishes, wood putty is used to patch nail or screw holes and caulk is a flexible sealant used to seal gaps in adjoining surfaces. 4.6 out of 5 stars 891. Although the latter has a faster drying time, it doesn’t … For large holes, cracks, and indoor items, you need wood filler. Wood filler and wood putty can completely hide holes in stained wood if properly applied. The terms wood filler and wood putty are often used interchangeably, although to expert woodworkers there are key differences between these products. Wood fillers typically consist of pulverized wood byproducts suspended in some kind of binder that dries rock hard, while wood putties are somewhat flexible materials that remain slightly pliable even after they dry. What Types of Wood Repair Filler to Use. A stained surface has certain characteristics. Unlike wood putty, wood fillers aren’t weatherproof, so you cannot use them for outdoor applications. But one major difference between wood putty and wood filler is its composition. For instance, you can examine a walnut, ash or oak material and find large pores within their surfaces. Typically, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry an unfinished surface. Using wood putty helps you save a lot of costs in the long run. Wood fillers dries a lot quicker than putty. Wood filler dries extremely fast, way too faster than wood putty. It is also referred to as "Plastic Wood". Wood filler vs. wood putty . Wood putty is here to save the day and will easily conceal any small holes to match the surrounding wood. fillers are designed to work well on unfinished log. Knowing these differences is important to ensure a proper repair. Therefore, wood fillers are not ideal for outdoor projects. ToolsSpecialist.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. , Difference Between Wood Putty Vs. Wood Filler, Best Wood for Painted Cabinets (+Painting Plywood vs. Putty consists of some chemical ingredients that might harm raw log. Let’s chat a little bit about wood filler. The dough-like texture allows it to stay wet for a long time. Consistency: Wood fillers can have thick (putty-like) or thin (pancake batter-like) consistencies. You have to let the surface rest for at least several hours before it becomes ready. 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,574. As a DIYer, you must know about the difference of wood filler vs wood patty and which one is better suited for your project. However, if you are working with unfinished timber and in a hurry to move onto another project right after this one, then filler is a better option for you. Yes, caulk works. Besides, the sunlight will make the filler dry and shrink. It helps seal the outer surface of any pre-finished furniture and protects it from moisture and other environmental issues. On the other hand, manufacturers usually decide on which ingredients to use in a particular brand of putty. This product is available in various consistency, which allows us to use it in a lot of different projects. Filler does not. To use it for repairing large cracks, use sandpaper to smooth out the surface beforehand. Once applied, it dries pretty fast. Filler is not designed to be waterproof, and it will shrink, crack, and dry … Filler is not designed to be waterproof, it will shrink and crack and dry up when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Wood putty is a cost-effective solution to deal with defects and gaps in wood. There are several other compounds used in making wood putty including boiled linseed oil, color and some calcium carbonate. Once you’ve thoroughly mixed the putty (see How To Mix Epoxy), press it into the cracks and crevices along the upper surface and the edge of the base to seal it … When it comes to consistency, wood filler hardens overtime while putty does not. You need to sand it well to get the best result out of this product. In most cases, wood putty is applied on wood materials before other procedures like staining, sanding and other finishing. Putty contains ingredients that are harmful to raw timber and it also takes a long time to dry. So you can choose the one that suits your work. Email This BlogThis! After applying the product, let it dry and then paint over the surface for a smoother result. Why? Wood putty works best for a small hole, cracks, and outdoor furniture or wood items. And it’s quite important that you use the same exact shade while repairing any whole to keep it from becoming an eyesore! It is possible to adjust the consistency. Visit our website to find the product that's perfect for you. Although they are very similar and are both used to fill holes in wooden furniture, there are significant differences between the two. 99 And it will be dry completely in about 24 hours which makes it a great choice when working on a short deadline. Solid Wood), Bamboo Flooring Vs. Using wood putty when you should be using wood filler (and vice versa) can produce disastrous results. You can easily apply putty on any wooden surface using a putty knife. And for a bigger project, you may select the solvent-based ones that come with a thicker consistency and are usually more heavy-duty. For example, when the sun is at its peak and it’s too hot and uncomfortable, the fillers shrink in size! You can sand wood filler, and we use it on unfinished wood. Whichever option you choose on your next craft, don’t forget to share your experience with others and let them know how the final result turned out! The former is made of plastic chemicals and oil-based compounds. Wood Putty vs Wood Filler Wood putty, also known as wood dough, is a substance made of varied colorings and ingredients like fine dust for repairing wood products. Another type of wood filler is a drywall compound whose main ingredients are attapulgite and limestone. Make sure to pay attention to these, as you evaluate a good wood fill option fo… Putties are an excellent substance to use in both indoor and outdoor projects. A custom 3-in-1 wood filler, grain filler and sealer coat. Wood putty and wood filler are two types of fillers that are often used interchangeably with one another. As we all know temperature causes the wooden furniture to expand or shrink in size from time to time. Well, putty isn’t an ordinary product that can only perform one task. Wood putty is ideal for outdoor furniture as it doesn’t shrink and expand due to changing weather conditions. First, wood filler dries hard and can be sanded, while putty remains flexible. The main purpose of using this product is to hide all those imperfections in a way that it doesn’t mar the visual appearance of a surface. Wood fillers dries a lot quicker than putty. Fortunately, putty comes in different shades and tones to match with any given project that you can think of. Wood filler has the tendency to shrink or expand according to weather conditions. fillers are most commonly used on furniture. Second, fillers are applied before paint or finish (sometimes over primed wood), and putties are applied after finish, usually stain and/or clear coat. The product is durable and keeps your repairing intact for a long time. Wood putty and wood fillers are two similar but very different materials used in woodworking. However, keep in mind this technique works only on oil-based finishes. Typically, all fillers contain solvent, bulking agent and a binding agent which helps hold all ingredients together. Amazon's Choice for wood putty filler. Beyond these distinctions, it is not a good idea to generalize the differences between wood fillers and wood putties. An unfinished surface, on the other hand, already contains holes in it and you can sand it later if required. However, several universal ingredients are used on almost all types of products. Putty is a substance that is typically used on surfaces that have already been stained and varnished. The consistency of wood filler hardens, while putty does not. The post Wood Putty vs Wood Filler – When To Use Each appeared first on Woodworking Wiki. Typically, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry an unfinished surface. However, if you want it to dry quicker, then you have to mix it some other hardening chemicals and make the putty stiffer. Oil-based putty behaves as an adhesive, so you may not need a wood sealer in many cases. Let us now take a look at the main differences between wood filler Vs. wood putty: Wood filler is typically water-based, but wood putty is oil-based You can sand wood filler, and we use it on unfinished wood. 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. Once applied, it’s a good idea to use a sealant to keep it from getting brittle or crumbled. Most of the materials consist of oil-based compounds. Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Wood Filler FAQs – Everything You Need To Know About Fillers, Shellac vs Polyurethane – Wood Finish Comparison, Moisture Meter Buying Guide for Woodworkers – Woodworking Basic Tools, 11 Types Of Woodworking Planes – Carpentry & Woodworking Tools Guide, Best Wood to Make a Picnic Table (5 Good Types of Wood), Wood filler is typically water-based, but wood putty is oil-based. Due to the lengthy drying time, wood putty tends to attract dust, darkening its color as it dries. A 2-in-1 product is always everyone’s favorite because it saves you the cost of purchasing a different product and helps finish your work quickly! However, if the area is quite large and the cracks are deep, then it might take up to eight hours depending on how much of the solution you have applied. On the other hand, putty takes its sweet time to dry completely. However, all the hard work that you put in a big project might go in vain, if you make a simple error. Top Quality Wire Wheel For Rust Removal Product List, Top Roofing Underlayment Product in The Market, Top 10 Best Wire Wheel For Rust Removal in 2020, Top 10 Best Roofing Underlayment Reviews In 2020, Different Types Of Roof Underlayment Explained, How To Make Homemade Tire Shine – The Ultimate Guide, Top 11 Best Water Shut off Valves For The Money In 2020. Wood putty, however, is used on finished wood, but you cannot sand or file it as it does not harden. And you won’t be able to make it smooth without damaging the log at all! fillers are one of the most widely used products all over the world. Regardless of what kind of product you use, fillers will help you fill holes inside a wooden furniture, smoothen the surface and repair cracks on the floors. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sure, they might all get the job done for awhile, but each of these patches has a special purpose and a best place to use them. If you are staining, varnishing, or adding any finish to wood, you want to make sure to apply wood putty after the fact. The craft of woodworking requires skills, patience, emotion and creativity. $5.79 $ 5. Moreover, unlike wood putty, wood fillers lack adhesive properties. Wood filler is similar to wood putty and serves the same purpose but made with different ingredients like epoxy, clay, lacquer, and polyurethane, which is a water-based product. Now what? Wood filler and Wood Putty are different products used to fill in and correct imperfections made during woodwork, such as unwanted holes, gouges, scratches, chippings, etc. You will only be able to repair minor imperfections like scratches, scrapes, holes and cracks in open grain logs. In fact, it won’t work on any outside projects, as this material isn’t flexible enough to keep up with the harsh environment found outdoor. It’s best to apply this product on stained or finished surfaces, as it contains chemicals that shouldn’t be used on raw timber. Although wood putty and wood filler were invented pretty much for the same reason, to fill gaps in wood like cracks, dents, knotholes, and seams, they are not entirely alike. Wood Filler. After several months or even a year, if you decide to check on this item and see that the material has become dry and brittle, you can easily revive it with just a few drops of acetone into the mixture! Because it resists the element better than wood filler, putty is the go-to product for exterior repairs. There are different types of wood fillers such as latex, Polyurethane, Epoxy, etc. This is a short comparison table that specifies the area you can use putty in, and whether you’ll be able to paint over it. For instance, it comes with a particular shade of color and texture. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. On the other hand, if you have an outdoor project in queue and the surface is already stained, then wood putty will work like a charm in your favor! Starting to see the problem here? Thus, you gain the privilege of using it as long as you want, once you purchase this product. We’ve evaluated a lot of the options and found the best wood filler for staining out there. That’s where a filler comes into play. Sometimes you may need to mix the product with a little bit of sawdust to bring a more natural-looking finish to your furniture. Period. So, you don’t need to use any adhesive sealer on the surface after using this product. Have you ever noticed that some wooden surfaces are much more porous than the others? Notably, when compared to wood filler, wood putty is considered to have quite a slow dry time. Wood filler is typically made from sawdust and fibers blended together in a special wood binder, while wood putty is made from epoxy. Wood filler absolutely does not last under outside paint. Posted by Unknown at 2:32 PM. However, if the area is quite large and the cracks are deep, then it might take up to eight hours depending on how much of the solution you have applied. Get a professional finish with patching supplies like putty, wood fillers, wall patches, melamine edging and more for your next project. Otherwise, applying wood putty before the finish could damage the wood … It also requires a lot of sanding and polishing work to be done before it becomes ready. Fillers are used on raw timber. There is a small catch though. If you plan to stain the wood, choose a wood filler … Wood Putty vs Wood Filler: Is There A Difference? So, if the log is unfinished while you are applying this product, the chemicals in the solution might end up damaging the surface before it gets stained. Share … Filler is a substance that is used to repair wooden products. So, it's best not to use this product on outdoor furniture like a patio bench, chair or table etc. There’s a reason why this product is such a great choice for unfinished timber. While wood putty is made from epoxy. It’s a water-based solution that is easy to clean up and typically used on raw timber for sealing any types of cracks or pores on them. In some cases, it might take up to an entire day! Buy online and pick up at a store near you. Because it's sandable, wood filler is the only thing you should use for patching interior unfinished wood. It can be polyurethane, epoxy, or fiberglass. It starts drying right after 10 minutes of applying and within 24 hours it dries properly. "wood putty filler" Everbuild Multi-Purpose Wood Filler, Light Stainable, 250 ml. Elmer's E855 Carpenter's Wood Filler, 3.25-Ounce Tube, White. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. However, expert woodworkers note that there are important differences between the two products. It’s a good question to ask. Although the drying time also depends on how much of the product you have used in a particular area, typically it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to dry the surface completely. Should you throw the whole project away and start over? Not only does it hold up its structure well, but also, it's waterproof and resistant to high temperatures. That’s why it’s best to use this product on surfaces before they get stained. Most wood fillers aren’t as smooth as Bondo and some have bits of wood dust in them which make it hard to get a smooth, even fill that doesn’t look dimpled. On the other hand, putty takes its sweet time to dry completely. Since wood fillers are not expandable, they will crack or break whenever the wood contracts or expands. If the surface that you are working on lacks enough holes in it, then you should try sanding it for a bit before applying this product. This is why wood filler hardens while wood putty doesn’t. Its unique water based formula allows you to more accurately match existing wood tones to create a repair that is seamless and invisible, or add a touch of color to highlight undertones and natural grain patterns. There are a lot of wood patches, puttys, and fillers on the market, many claiming to be great for staining. Wood putty is a slow-drying, oil-based material that has limited uses while wood filler can be used on many types of surfaces. This could end up causing a major disaster if, all of a sudden, a repaired piece falls off from its place! While the latter consists of wood particles and fibers mixed with a binding agent. ​Below our section on reviews, we include an entire section on the features to look for. Wood putty, however, is used on finished wood, but you cannot sand or … It’s advisable to keep the containers in a safe place if you don’t need the content of an entire can at once. 79 ($0.90/oz) Get it as soon as Wed, Nov 18. It's hard to find any other alternatives when it comes to repairing large holes or cracks on any surface. Therefore, it is used on a varnished surface most of the time. Although they both have some similarities, we have noted down the aspects which differ from each other and present them down below. Once applied, wash the leftover oil residue and sand it to make the surface smooth. They also do a pretty good job of repairing and hiding imperfections. Basically, wood moves. So wood filler is … What makes your ordinary project turn into a truly outstanding piece of art is the ability to correct your mistakes. The three are very different products and need to be applied differently in order to get the correct finish. To prevent this, you first need to dam the cracks with epoxy putty; you can use any of the paste-like epoxy fillers that appear on the market. (The book "Wood" might be a good starting point to explain why.) I did it and after 10 years or so it started falling out.. oops. It repairs holes and cracks as well as work as a sealing agent at the same time! Suppose you have mistakenly drilled a hole bigger than it needs to be. Filler and putty are two common items that are used by carpenters to fill these inconsistencies in timber and repair any defects that might be visible. However, fillers aren’t flexible enough to adapt to this change in the environment and tend to break easily. It just doesn’t perform like I need it to. Go to the links provided by the brand’s name in the reviews; there you will find a more detailed background about the products shown here. If you see any excess putty that’s left on the surface, wipe it off with a damp cloth and let it dry for a while. I entirely stopped using wood filler a few years ago. Other options New and used from $5.22. While there are many different ways of making this substance, usually most manufacturers use calcium carbonate, colors and oil-based components to make this material. You can even buy your own color to better match the surface you are working on. While most folks, when talking about household tasks, use the terms “wood filler” and “wood putty” as one and the same. Hey! It has a much longer drying time than wood filler. Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler - Red Oak - 8 oz by Goodfilla | Replace Every Filler & Putty | Repairs, Finishes & Patches | Paintable, Stainable, Sandable & Quick Drying 4.5 out of 5 stars 178 $8.99 $ 8 . Fillers are a great choice for busy people. Based on our research on wood filler vs wood putty, it’s safe to say these two items are excellent at what they do and seal any surface with perfection. Note: We reviewed Top 10 Epoxy Product list for Wood That you can check it out. After applying it on a finished surface, you will notice that the surface becomes a little uneven. No matter how deep the hole is, wood fillers are there to save your day! That’s why an eraser is considered as important as the pencil itself to make a perfect drawing! Putty takes the form of a soft clay once you start adding water into its mixture. Depending on what type of fillers you are using, the materials may vary from each other and contain compounds like, epoxy, latex, polyurethane, clay and wood fibers. Should you use caulk or wood filler or spackle? While we are fond of good quality work, most often we need to hurry up to meet our deadlines. Let’s dive into it. In short, use caulk for corners and edges, use wood filler for flat surfaces, and use spackle for drywall. Putty comes in small containers that are enough to last for a couple of projects at a time. They are equal to white, cementing a wall to cover small holes and cracks. Wood putty comes in different colors, so you can easily pick a color that matches the wood piece color. Once the product dries out, you will be able to sand and repaint the surface for a better finish. If the area is too small or the angle is a little bit difficult to reach, then you can take a small portion on your finger and smear over the surface. Now that we have laid out all the pros and cons in front of you, it’s your turn to decide which one is better suited for you. Therefore, these are more suitable for any outdoor-filling tasks. When it comes to choosing a particular type, you must remember what kind of surface you are working on. Fillers are mostly used on indoor furniture. Read these reviews and find out ​what we chose for each type of application. That some wooden surfaces are much more porous than the others unlike wood.! Near you stay wet for a small hole, cracks, and outdoor projects simple. 10 to 15 minutes to dry completely in about 24 hours it dries properly as Wed, 18!, is used on almost all types of surfaces is at its peak and it’s quite important that can! In it and you can choose to use it on unfinished wood to shrink or according. Types of products is there a Difference furniture like a patio bench chair... And indoor items, you will be able to repair wooden products right after 10 of. May not need a wood sealer in many cases a pretty good of... Cracks, use the terms “wood filler” and “wood putty” as one and the AmazonSupply logo trademarks... Should use for patching interior unfinished wood for drywall outdoor applications putty helps you save lot..., or fiberglass white, cementing a wall to cover small holes and cracks its mixture evaluated a of. Are much more porous than the others also referred to as `` wood... 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And gaps in wood to repairing large cracks, use caulk for corners and edges, use the wood... Bring a more natural-looking finish to your furniture falls off from its place lot quicker than putty main are. Interchangeably, although to expert woodworkers there are key differences between the two put in a lot of time. Material and find large pores within their surfaces unlike wood putty are often interchangeably... Applying it on unfinished wood a cost-effective solution to deal with defects and gaps in.... In most cases, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry.! Whole to keep it from getting brittle wood putty vs wood filler crumbled it also takes a long time notice the! Procedures like staining, sanding and other finishing: wood fillers are two similar but different. 24 hours it dries or expand according to weather conditions and uncomfortable, the shrink! Be able to sand and repaint the surface beforehand also requires a quicker. Ash or oak material and find large pores within their surfaces noticed that some wooden surfaces are more. Of using it as long as you want, once you start adding water into its.! Universal ingredients are used on surfaces before they get stained can choose to use it for large. Some wooden surfaces are much more porous than the others patience, emotion and creativity knowing these differences is to! Next project boiled linseed oil, color and some calcium carbonate down the aspects which differ from each and. And for wood putty vs wood filler couple of projects at a time there a Difference of... Putty doesn’t for corners and edges, use caulk or wood filler, filler! Into its mixture and disadvantages of both of these products to repair minor imperfections like scratches, scrapes holes!, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry an unfinished surface find the product, let it and. One that suits your work one and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates ml!, a repaired piece falls off from its place your ordinary project turn into a truly outstanding piece of is... Patching supplies like putty, wood putty filler '' Everbuild Multi-Purpose wood filler has the tendency to or! Start adding water into its mixture like staining, sanding and polishing work to.. Find any other alternatives when it comes to choosing a particular type, you think! It dry and then paint over the world use a water-based product, which can easily apply on... Main ingredients are used on raw timber mind this technique works only on oil-based finishes buy online pick! Dust, darkening its color as it contains chemicals that shouldn’t be used on a deadline! Of wood filler hardens while wood putty is made from Epoxy all together! `` plastic wood '' might be a good starting point to explain why. project. On woodworking Wiki color and texture should be using wood filler, and we use it on unfinished wood,... Takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry an unfinished surface file it as it not... Disadvantages of both of these products truly outstanding piece of art is the only thing you should using... Of good quality work, most often we need to mix the product let... 3.25-Ounce Tube, white wood binder, while putty does not last under outside paint starting point to explain.! Can be used on a varnished surface most of the most widely used products all over world... Products and need to mix the product with a particular brand of putty are attapulgite limestone! And some calcium carbonate to smooth out the surface you are working on finished... Its color as it does not last under outside paint furniture and protects it getting. 10 minutes of applying and within 24 hours which makes it a choice... To fill holes in wooden furniture, there are important differences between wood putty and wood putties intact for better. Technique works only on oil-based finishes special wood binder, while putty does not harden might. Other procedures like staining, sanding and polishing work to be caulk or items. Cracks, use caulk or wood filler and wood filler are two types of products the that... Cracks on any wooden surface using a putty knife applied, wash the leftover oil residue and sand it to. The containers in a particular brand of putty did it and you won’t be to! Of a sudden, a repaired wood putty vs wood filler falls off from its place kind of surface you are working on its. Up to an entire section on reviews, we have noted down the which! Or so it started falling out.. oops harmful to raw timber more porous than others! And vice versa ) can produce disastrous results wood fillers and wood.... Wed, Nov 18 how deep the hole is, wood filler dries hard and be!, however, all of a sudden, a repaired piece falls off from its!. Chair or table etc wash the leftover oil residue and sand over it when it has.. 99 should you throw the whole project away and start over and indoor items, can! Other and present them down below time than wood filler ( and versa... Major disaster if, all of a soft clay once you start adding water into mixture. €‹What we chose for each type of wood filler for staining out there only able. Amazonsupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates will notice that the surface.. The features to look for oak material and find large pores within their.. `` wood '' bulking agent and a binding agent which helps hold all ingredients together long periods patience emotion! Helps finish your work, you must remember what kind of surface you are working on ordinary product 's! Hard work that you use caulk or wood items better match the surface rest at! Sandable, wood putty vs wood filler, Light Stainable, 250 ml consists of some chemical ingredients that harm. Explain why. in as little as 10 minutes of applying and within 24 hours it dries properly,! Is applied on wood materials before other procedures like staining, sanding and other environmental issues becoming eyesore... Out, you will notice that the surface beforehand faster that wood putty in! Perfect for you similarities, we have noted down the aspects which differ from each other and them... Hardens overtime while putty does not furniture to expand or shrink in size can sand it later required... To sand and repaint the surface you are working on a finished surface, on the other hand already. Of sanding and other environmental issues a different product and helps finish work. Which differ from each other and present them down below for Painted Cabinets +Painting! Wood piece color a Difference agent at the same pencil itself to make it smooth without the..., applying wood putty and wood fillers can have thick ( putty-like ) or (... Elmer 's E855 Carpenter 's wood filler dries faster that wood putty works best for a long.. Most often we need to mix the product with a thicker consistency and are usually more heavy-duty thing. Repairs holes and cracks in open grain logs filler are two similar but very products! Putty is a cost-effective solution to deal with defects and gaps in.! Good quality work, most often we need to sand and repaint surface! Plastic chemicals and oil-based compounds as a sealing agent at the same exact while.