Elmer’s has a range of interesting wood filler products in their inventory that encompasses diverse features making them useful for different groups – DIY project makers, carpenters, and more. A feature common to all Elmer’s wood fillers is the drying time and texture which is around 1-2 days and the curing makes them sufficiently hard for any project. Elmer’s has managed to be on top of the industry in terms of quality and promise. Their wood fillers have the most impressive features that anyone can ever need. Both can be used for the same primary purpose – filling in crevices, but there are some major differences between the two. You can always paint over the wood later, in which case the color of the filler doesn’t have much of an impact. If you're looking for a reliable solution for exterior wood projects, we highly recommend using Bondo Wood Filler. Its two-part formula blends seamlessly to create a natural-looking medium-brown shade that can restore and reconstruct damaged or rotted wood. It's also versatile enough to be used to fill in missing pieces. After curing, which typically takes only 30 minutes, it forms a strong bond with the wood, creating a long-lasting and waterproof repair that won't warp or shrink. Read more about why wood filler hardens, how to soften and get it out of the tube, and how to keep the filler from hardening in the future. Types of Wood Fillers

Before painting, don’t forget to sand your wood down for the smoothest possible finish and to ensure the DIY filler doesn’t leave any rough or bumpy textures that break the otherwise smooth wooden surface. That said, you also don’t need to spend a lot of money on professional-grade wood filler, especially for smaller projects. Different Types of Wood Fillers Elmer’s E887Q Stainable Wood Filler is ideal for interior and exterior use. The white finish is easy to paint and stain, and the tube is easily resealable for continued use over multiple projects. Wood Filler Alternatives Wood filler is designed to be stained or painted, and it goes on before the finishing coats. Wood putty is primarily for after finishing, and it comes in predetermined colors. Q. Can you use wood filler on items that are meant to be left outside?Properly storing wood filler is vital to preserve it and keep it malleable. It can take several years for wood filler in a container to harden completely if it’s not sealed correctly, but it’s a situation you want to avoid altogether, not delay.

The product is a water-based, low-VOC, and low-odor filler, so you can work in the kitchen comfortably. It dries within an hour or so, after which you can apply another coat if needed, or go ahead to sand the cabinets lightly, apply primer, and then paint as desired. The Aqua Coat product itself is white, which makes it easier to see how effectively you're covering the wood grain, but it can be painted any color you choose once dry. It cleans up with soap and water once you're done. By 1991, they started their venture into the kid’s crafts category. In 1994, they shifted their focus on developing the most celebrated adhesive-related products for home repair use, school use, hardware, and others. From 2000 to 2002, Elmer’s acquisition of two individual companies called the Ross Products and Hunt Corporation further strengthened their base in the adult arts and crafts sector. They expanded to crafts products for children to improve cognitive development in their early childhood phases. Soon after, they introduced a bunch of different wood fillers, display boards, paint markers, and glues (of course!). Their products have always been cruelty-free and produced using natural plant-based materials which appealed to the common public even more. Moreover, the quality and expenses were far reliable and reasonable than any other brand at that time and continue to be. You won’t be able to tell if the filler is brittle unless you test it. Employ a hydration method according to what kind of wood filler you have; if it softens the filler, you can still use it for a good while.Water-based ones will primarily contain cellulose, wood fiber, or gypsum. They are generally less pungent than solvent-based fillers for the primary reason that they seldom release any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most of the time, water-based fillers are considered more versatile. This is because of their readily water-soluble property which can be advantageously used as a thin filler. Lastly, they take only around 15 minutes to dry and can also be readily cleaned by employing only soap and water. DAP Plastic Wood is the best wood filler overall. This heavy-duty, professional-grade formula looks and performs like actual wood, only stronger, and it can be sanded, painted, or stained just like the real thing. That said, Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler is a close runner-up on account of its ultra-strong, multi-purpose formula that is very easy to use, whether indoors or outside. What to Look for in Wood Filler Types of Wood Fillers To remove wood filler that won’t come out of the tube, use acetone or water to rehydrate it, then slowly work the liquid through to soften the filler. A tube of wood filler that won’t budge means the filler has hardened, so softening it to get it out is typically the best option. Wait approximately 30 minutes to an hour for the glue solution to dry completely. The exact waiting time varies depending on the hole’s size and how much glue was used. One of the key benefits of DAP Plastic Wood is its no-mix formula, which allows for effortless spreading and results in a smooth, even layer. This makes it easy to achieve a professional-grade finish, even if you are not an experienced woodworker. Additionally, the filler is available in multiple finish colors, including natural, golden oak, red oak, walnut, and white, so you can choose the perfect shade to match your project.

Store away from chemicals. Ensure there aren’t any chemicals close to the wood filler that could damage the tube and degrade, dissolve, or alter the wood filler. Elmer’s Probond was easy to apply, thanks to its slightly wet consistency. The finish it left behind was also very strong. Although the filler was slightly grainy, it did seem to fill the pores nicely on the test piece. However, this product did shrink quite a bit, most likely due to its high moisture content. If you’re looking for the best wood filler overall, it’s our opinion that you can’t go wrong with Minwax Stainable Wood Filler. However, if you’re OK spending a little more for an excellent finish, consider FamoWood Wood Filler for its top-notch quality and smooth finish. How We Tested the Best Wood Fillers Solvent-based filler is smoother and is known to be more durable, and can withstand the elements better than water-based. It tends to be more expensive than water-based fillers and takes longer to dry. Once each section was properly damaged, we set forth with the wood fillers to fill them in. When they were dry, we sanded the fillers to see how well they cured the damage. The result gave us all the information necessary to suggest the best wood fillers based on their strengths and weaknesses. FAQsTask: Wood fillers typically handle one or more specific tasks. Some are suitable for filling voids such as divots, holes, or gouges in all wood species. Others are for filling pores in open-grain woods with large pores visible to the naked eye, such as oak or elm, to smooth their naturally coarse texture. (As the filler inundates the pores, it levels any unevenness to achieve a finish particularly desirable on furniture.) The most versatile fillers can fill either voids or pores. Water-based wood fillers are generally a mix containing cellulose, wood fiber, or gypsum. They tend to have a less potent odor, as they emit few, if any, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some water-based wood fillers are more versatile than their solvent-based counterparts because they can be readily diluted with water and used in projects requiring thinner filler. Water-based fillers typically dry in about 15 minutes, and cleanup requires only soap and water.

It’s unlikely that wood filler will completely dry if stored and sealed correctly. If you’ve done everything right and your wood filler still appears to have hardened, don’t throw it away; try to soften it using one of the methods listed here. For those looking for a premium product, this FamoWood Latex Wood Filler is a worthy option. It has the versatility and viscosity to handle voids of different sizes, meaning one tub can handle almost anything. The formula is a combination of latex and real wood fiber, and it’s suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Also, it cures in 15 minutes to a harder-than-wood surface. Once dry, it can be sanded, planed, or sawed. It can also be stained or painted after staining. Admittedly, there are few applications for a wood filler that doesn’t actually make holes and gouges disappear. However, when it comes to sealing pores, we found Aqua Coat to do an outstanding job. It applied very easily and created a smooth, glass-like finish over the wood. Since it’s water based and eco-friendly, it’s a better choice than polyurethane (for some applications). The downside is that it doesn’t fill holes particularly well, and it does shrink quite a bit. But this product is for sealing pores, not filling holes. Wood fillers are either water or solvent based. Either can be used to fill wood voids or pores, but they have a number of differences.

Compare The Best Wood Fillers In 2023

The two most common kinds are water-based and solvent-based. You can tell the difference between the two by opening them up and smelling them. Solvent-based wood filler has a chemical smell that water-based filler doesn’t. Those looking for professional results at a reasonable price would do well to consider Elmer’s Probond Filler. This tub of water-based wood filler features ceramic microsphere technology, which allows the dried wood filler to be tougher and more durable than most other wood fillers. Because it’s suitable for exterior applications (as well as interior), that strength could be a big benefit. Solvent-based fillers tend to consist of vinyl or epoxy. They have a higher VOC content and are correspondingly smellier. Solvent-based wood thinners take about an hour to dry, and cleaning up after use calls for acetone or turpentine. Cost-wise, solvent-based fillers are pricier than water-based fillers because they’re more resistant to water, humidity, extreme heat and cold, and rot, making them best suited to exterior wood projects and applications.