What’s the difference between wood filler and wood putty?

When fixing or building wooden products, you'll frequently be required to plug gaps. Wood flaws or poorly placed nails are common causes of these divots. Holes in a workpiece can be repaired with either wood filler or wood putty.

As a result, putty and filler are commonly used interchangeably in the woodworking industry. Although both are useful for fixing gaps in wood, they are distinct materials. For the right job, woodworkers need to know the distinction between wood filler and putty.

It's human to err sometimes. Erasers are included with pencils because there is typically a way to fix things. It's not too different to use woodworking techniques in your home. When DIY initiatives go wrong, what are the repercussions? Imagine a situation where a hole has been expanded. It sounds like you might need to throw it out.

Fortunately, there are low-cost solutions to these problems. Wood filler and wood putty are useful for repairing holes and dents in wood. Understanding the distinction between the two is crucial. Fillers and putties made specifically for wood might help you cover up and smooth over flaws. Before going any farther, let's evaluate the similarities and differences between the two.

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Flexible Oil-based Wood Putty

Wood putty looks and acts much like window glazing or plumber's putty. Being oil-based, they are impervious to moisture, harden without becoming rigid, and are extremely versatile. Putty is ideal for use in the outdoors since it does not wash away or crack when wood expands and contracts.

When mending tiny flaws in finished wood, a little bit of putty goes a long way. Putty can't be stained, but it is available in various wood colours.

Water-based paint should not be applied over oil-based putty. It should be fine to use a small amount of putty and let it dry for a few days.

Water-Based Wood Filler Is Sandable

The most well-known wood filler is DAP's Plastic Wood. A lot of comparable fillers are based on water. Wood filler shares the same components as joint compound, including cellulose, limestone, and attapulgite. Water-based DAP product plastic wood and latex wood filler includes limestone however no cellulose.

Epoxy wood fillers, which come in two parts, combine the properties of wood filler and wood putty. Epoxy can be applied to both prefinished and raw wood. It's more accurately described as fillers than a putty because it cures to a hard enough consistency to sand.

In place of this, finishers typically employ wood-grain filler. In preparation for the first coat of finish, it is spread very thinly on a table or countertop and sanded. It makes a flat, even surface on which to apply a coating or paint.

The Most Effective Use of Filler Is Indoors

Manufacturers are not required to follow any specific guidelines when producing products that are explicitly labelled as fillers or putties. However, in most cases, when a filler has been dyed to match a particular wood species, it will be covered with a clear finish. The term "matching" is used to describe this procedure. When a result of the inflexibility, fractures form on the surface as the wood grows and compresses.

On top of that, it dries out and shrinks when subjected to direct sunshine. If you patch a hole or crack in an exterior surface using wood filler and then paint over it, the filler will likely flake off after a year or two.

Use Two-Part Putty Outside

Although putty doesn't harden by itself, you can find two-part preparations that require a chemical reaction to set. Compared to wood, these materials are more durable and stick together nicely. On the other hand, dry putty doesn't look like wood until it's painted. Some carpenters favour using auto body filler, a two-component putty made of fibreglass, for fixing exterior wood. The grey colour of a item is unimportant after a coat of priming and paint has been applied.

Introduction to Wood Putty

Wood putty is often referred to as "plastic wood" due of its widespread use in everyday language. Many workplaces seem to rely on it as the default option whenever a hole or flaw in the wood must be repaired, as it is one of the most widely used wood filling solutions. However, there are some situations where this material is not the best option.

How it's Put to Use

Wood putty should be applied after the wood has been stained or varnished. Wood putty is excellent for touching up previously finished furniture.

Raw wood shouldn't be repaired with wood putty because of the toxins it may contain. It has the texture and rigidity of clay. It's often applied with a putty knife. Because of this, it is a challenging filler. Essentially, it behaves like resin.

Once you've applied it, give it some time to dry. Wood putties may claim to dry quickly, but in reality, they take quite some time to set up. In some cases, chemical hardeners are required to ensure that putty dries properly. Some people just get tougher over time. What one buys has significant implications.

Because of the lengthy drying processes, colours may change. When dry, lighter colours tend to get darker, thus a lighter shade will be required. When left out to dry, putty can attract dust and other unwanted particles.

Alternatives

Wood putty's popularity has resulted in a large variety of brands and types being offered in the market at the moment. There are several brands to pick from, and each one comes in a rainbow of colours. It is our hope that you'll be able to find a putty that will work with even the most outlandish colour schemes.

Ingredients

Wood putty could be made in a variety of methods, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, depending on the producer. All wood putties are based on oil, however the type of oil used might vary substantially. The most popular oil is boiled linseed oil, but you can also get different oils in stores.

The pigment in wood putty is just what gives it its woodsy appearance. Most of them are made with calcium carbonate as well. You should also think about the chemicals involved if the wood putty you want to use has to have one added to it.

Cost

Wood putty is inexpensive and can be stored indefinitely. Don't worry about this spoiling or going bad anytime soon. Given its durability, it's a great choice for making weather-resistant outdoor furniture.

Introduction to Wood Filler

There is a big difference between wood filler and wood putty, and both are used for very specific purposes. They are not interchangeable under any circumstances.

How it's Put to Use

Wood filler is often used before a final coat of stain or paint is applied. It's a great alternative to wood putty because it won't ruin your precious raw wood. It's more putty-like in texture, making it easy to mould and shape. It's effortless to maintain its position and spreads evenly.

As an added bonus, this wood filler dries quickly. In most cases, five minutes is all it takes for a large ball of wooden filler to start drying in the air. All wood fillers dry in under twenty-four hours, and many dry in much less time than that. There are "fast-drying" alternatives to consider if the time is of the essence.

Check out our range of timber repairs Melbourne at Hitch Property Constructions.

Alternatives

Typically, wood fillers won't add any noticeable colour to your wood. Because of this, you may have to stain them to make them blend in with the wood. Although, you do use these prior the stain, so it shouldn't be a problem. Blending the filler and sawdust from of the wood being used is highly advised to provide a more natural look.

Ingredients

Wood filler is made from a variety of materials including epoxy, lacquer, and clay. Latex is among the most common kinds because it is liquid and easy to clean. Also, this kind works well with dyes, so you may drill bigger holes without worrying about the wood looking two-toned.

You might also find it helpful to keep epoxy and polyurethane on hand in your office. However, they still require some additional sanding. Before you can put a finish on them, you need to sand them.

Cost

The cost of wood putty is comparable to that of wood filler. However, it's not as sturdy, so it'll need more maintenance over time. Due to the fact that this does not contract and expand like hardwood furniture, it is not suitable used as outdoor furniture. It won't work out as planned, and instead of not cracking, you'll have flaws.

Sunlight causes this material to dry up and crack, which can necessitate further maintenance work down the road. It's possible that the final tally for these fixes will exceed your budget.

Also, this stuff is normally used for bigger cracks, so you'll probably require more of it if you want to fix a bigger crack.

Why Do We Need Wood Filler?

Let's go over some of the many reasons why wood filler is a good choice.

Quick Drying

Although it is always important to generate high-quality work, there are instances when it is more convenient to get something that works quickly. Wood fillers are almost always a item for any toolbox if you ever find yourself in a time crunch.

Very little time passes between applying wood filler and its complete drying. Nonetheless, many of the available choices these days may dry in 10 to 20 minutes. The wood filler you use and the final result will both affect how long it takes to dry.

Good for Surfaces with Holes

Fillers are the best bet for repairing porous surfaces. If you discover that the surface you are utilising isn't performing properly, you can improve its functionality by sanding it before applying wood filler.

Take into consideration that wood filler is indeed an excellent tool for repairing imperfections in unfinished lumber. Even after sanding, the surface will be uneven and bumpy if wood filler is used on a final item. The question presented here is how difficult it will be to get it to a more manageable state for you.

Wood filler can be used to patch holes in an unfinished surface before it is sanded smooth.

Good for Patching Up Significant Gaps

You may save a project with wood filler no matter how big or wide the hole is. The amount of time you save is enormous. It can be difficult to discover a better solution than what is now available for fixing gaps or cracks in the wood's surface.

If you need to fix a huge hole in the wood, you should first use some sandpaper to smooth up the surface first. Once the wood filler has dried, it can be painted for a smooth surface.

Never Use Wood Filler When...

You should know that wood tends to shrink and expand based on the weather as well as other environmental elements before you add wood filler to the project.

The difficulty would be that wood filler doesn't offer the pliability needed to account for this shrinking and expansion. Because of this, wood filler is best used on furnishings or wood crafts that won't be exposed to the elements, such as those that will be kept within a home.

Now that we've established how wood filler is and why it's appropriate, let's move on to discussing wood putty.

Wood Putty

Wood filler is used on raw wood, while wood putty is used on wood that has previously been lacquered and stained. It's also been called "synthetic wood" by some.

Most companies that produce wood putty combine oil-based ingredients with calcium carbonate. This, regardless of the fact that wood putty can be made through a number of different methods. As a result, when you add water to the mixture, the wood putty becomes more like soft clay.

Wood putty, being clay-like, can stay wet for long lengths of time; if you're working on projects which needs to be finished quickly, you may need to search for different ways.

Wood putty is most effective when applied on smooth, finished wood. This is because it has chemicals that should never be used on raw wood and causes the wood to rot. Sanding the area after applying wood putty can give your project a smooth finish and get rid of any lingering dust or debris.

Why Do We Need Wood Putty?

The usage of wood putty in your latest recent woodworking job is recommended for a number of different reasons. Let's check out several of them.

Very Simple to Use

One of the many benefits of wood putty is that it could be applied to almost any sort of wood with little effort. Putty can be distributed with such a putty knife across broad surfaces or dabbed on with a finger for more precise repair of smaller areas.

Any remaining wood putty can be removed with a damp rag before it has a chance to set, and the surface can then be given time to dry.

Choice of Many Colors

Wood putty comes in a wide range of colours and textures to accommodate a wide range of needs, as different stains and finishes impart different tones and textures to the wood. To avoid having the repair stand out, it's important to use wood putty that is the same colour as the original wood.

Your woodworking project will go more smoothly if you choose a stain or paint colour that complements the wood's finish.

No Extra Glue Necessary

Despite its usefulness for fixing cracks and gaps in wood, wood putty is often overlooked for its potential as a sealing agent. Can you please explain why that's an important consideration? You save money because you won't need to acquire an extra adhesive sealant to apply to your project's surface.

Money-Saving Measures

As a last bonus, utilising wood putty can help you save money in the long run. Wood putty is durable, so it can be used to make repairs that won't have to be performed as often.

Smaller quantities of wood putty nevertheless contain enough material for several uses. This is a major benefit of working with wood putty. Put it away as quickly as possible in a cold, dry location if you won't be using it all right away.

When Not to Use Wood Putty?

Perhaps the strongest argument against using wood putty is that it can damage raw wood. Wood putty over unfinished wood can harm the surface, making it impossible to colour the wood until the problem is fixed. This is due to the abrasive nature of the materials used to create wood putty.

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Which Should You Use: Wood Filler or Wood Putty?

Wood putty should be used to repair finished wood. Putty sticks, sometimes known as lacquer pencils, are used to mend damaged wood in furniture. When fixing something outside, putty is preferable to wood filler since it can withstand the weather.

Sandable wood filler is the only option for repairing holes in unfinished wood inside. Wood filler made from cellulose is preferable than limestone if staining is in your future. Epoxy filler won't take a stain, thus most woodworkers use pre-stained filler when repairing furniture, flooring, and other woodwork.

Unless the wood is painted or coated, wood filler will not adhere to it. Putty can be used indoors as well as outdoors to fix smooth surfaces. You should never leave putty uncured. To hide minor repairs, use varnish, lacquer, or water-based polyurethane.