Wood Filler - Restorate

Wood Filler

Need guidance? View our handy FAQs and Buying Guide

Wood Filler FAQs

How long does wood filler take to dry?

Depending on the manufacturer, most single part and two part wood fillers take from 30 to 120 minutes to dry before you can sand, dye or overcoat them.

How do you choose a colour for a wood filler?

Pick out the darkest shade of the wood grain, as going darker often looks more natural. If you're dyeing or staining the wood, choose a filler colour that's closest to that of the wood grain, not the stain you're applying.

Can you stain wood filler?

Yes, most single part and two part fillers can be stained with a wood dye after the filler has dried.

Can you drill or screw into wood filler?

Only two part wood fillers are hard enough to be drilled into or screwed into. Single part filler will crumble.

Can you use wood filler on walls?

Single part wood filler can be used for very small holes or pin holes for walls. However bear in mind that they have been formulated to adhere to woodgrain, so there is a chance it might not stick as well as a Toupret filler. If you're filling scratches in plaster or plaster board gaps, use Toupret Fine Surface Filler or Toupret Interior Wall Filler.

How do you apply wood filler?

Each type of wood filler has its own process: ready-to-use, single part fillers are used straight out of the tub or tube. Two-part fillers need to be mixed with a line of hardener/activator and then applied. Usually, wood fillers are applied using a plastic or metal scraper or spatular. Apply the wood filler and sand prior to application of stain, dye or paint.

Wood Fillers are great for filling holes, gaps and splits in wood. Chose from a range of fast drying single or two part fillers specialised for particular applications or general purpose.

Wood Filler Buying Guide

There are so many types of wood filler. Finding the right type for the application is very important as each type has their own specialism and behave differently.

For interior applications, you can use a single part wood filler, which can be used for small gaps and holes and are easily sanded ready for painting or finishing. Try Liberon Wood Filler, which offers a flexible finish in four colours.

If your project is outdoors or the gap you want to fill is larger than 5mm, you'll need a two-part filler. These have a thick polyester filler, which you mix with an activator and can then mould for larger gaps. A great example is the Everbuild range, which is quick drying and weatherproof.

Toupret fillers are growing in popularity because they can be used across a range of applications. The single part filler can go to a depth of 10mm, while the two-part option has no depth limit.

If you are repairing divots in a grain before laquering, you need a grain filler like Jenkins Grain Filler - but ensure it's used in a well-ventilated area.

Or for thin cracks in wood floors or furniture, wood filler sticks can be melted and manipulated into the gap before shaving off any excess and using a wax polish. Briwax Filler Sticks are perfect for maintaining or restoring antiques.

Meanwhile, fillers mixed with sawdust, such as Jenkins Joint Filler Gel and Bona Mix and Fill are used as a joint filler for floors. You can also use gap sealer for this, but would need something underneath to give it something to hold on to. Gap sealers, such as Osmo Interior Gap Sealer, are more commonly used for skirting boards and stair treads thanks to their flexibility and the ease of achieving a professional finish with sanding and painting.

For exterior applications, you need an epoxy adhesive that won't crack. You'll need to dig out any rotten wood and use a stabiliser to harden the wood to maximise adhesion of the product. Timbabuild Repair Care is a popular choice thanks to its fast curing that allows sanding after just one hour.

For more detailed advice, see our blog page.

Got a question? Chat with us on WhatsApp
Back to top