If you’re like me, then you’ve always assumed that wood filler and spackle were the same things. However, upon closer inspection of the labels on my local hardware store’s joint compound, I discovered that there are actually some differences between the two.
Sure, they both fill holes in wood—but which one should you use? In this article, we’ll explore those differences and more so you can make an informed decision about whether to buy spackle or wood filler next time your project calls for it.
What can I use to substitute wood filler?
If you need to fill in a small hole, you can use wood putty or spackle.
Wood putty is thicker and more pliable than spackle, so it’s easier to work with. It also has more texture than spackle, which makes the surface look more like original wood.
On the other hand, caulk works better for large holes and will not shrink as much when dried out.
If your hole is less than three inches wide, caulk might be a better choice than wood putty (especially if you’re working with softwood).
Table of Contents
- What can I use to substitute wood filler?
- Can DRYDex spackling be used as wood filler?
- Can I use drywall spackle on wood?
- Can you use wood filler to fill holes in drywall?
- Does DAP wood filler crack?
- Can you use caulk instead of wood filler?
- What’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler?
- How do you fill gaps in wood?
Can DRYDex spackling be used as wood filler?
Yes, DRYDex spackling can be used as a wood filler. It is a thick putty that dries to form a hard surface and can be sanded once it has dried.
It’s generally used to fill gaps in wood or holes left by knots or cracks, but if you’re careful with your application, you can use it to fill larger areas like the back of a table too!
Can I use drywall spackle on wood?
- Spackle is made for walls, wood filler is made for wood.
- Spackling compound is a flat material that can be applied to interior walls in any direction without worrying about curved surfaces. Wood filler has more flexibility and can be used on curved surfaces if necessary.
- Spackling compound is intended to be left in place until it’s painted over or covered up with another layer of drywall. Wood filler should not be left exposed–it will eventually crack and flake away from the surface it was covering up.
Can you use wood filler to fill holes in drywall?
It’s not the same as wood filler. The big difference is the flexibility of the material. Wood filler is malleable, making it possible to fill holes and cracks in wood.
Drywall spackle isn’t malleable at all; it’s very hard and brittle, so it doesn’t have the flexibility needed to fill gaps between pieces of wood (or other materials).
If you try to use drywall spackle on a piece of furniture or some other wooden item, you’ll likely end up with cracks when you try to sand down your repair later on—and since drywall spackle isn’t water resistant either, those cracks will leave small spaces where moisture can get in and cause even more damage!
Does DAP wood filler crack?
You should also know that DAP Wood Filler is not as good as other wood fillers. DAP Wood Filler doesn’t work as well for certain types of cracks. It’s not as strong or durable, either.
You want to make sure you choose the right one for your project and that means being clear on what it’s going to be used for.
Can you use caulk instead of wood filler?
You can use caulk instead of wood filler to fill smaller cracks and gaps in your walls. However, you shouldn’t do this if the crack or gap is too wide, deep, or long.
Caulk is also not a good choice for large holes that need to be filled because it doesn’t offer as much coverage and may require another coat of caulk or other material in order to fill the hole adequately
If you have a wide gap between two wooden boards on your wall, then using caulk might be better than using wood filler.
This is because caulk is easier to apply and will also last longer than wood filler in most cases since it’s made from silicone which dries hard like plastic instead of softening like some kinds of paint (including oil-based paints).
What’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler?
There are some key differences between wood putty and wood filler.
- Wood putty is thicker than wood filler, making it more pliable and easier to apply. It’s also harder to sand, so if you’re going for a smooth finish, you may want to pay extra attention when applying your first layer of putty.
- Wood filler is the opposite: easier to work with because it’s thinner, but also much cheaper than its counterpart.
How do you fill gaps in wood?
Depending on the size of the gap, you can use either wood putty or spackle. If you want to fill in just a little bit of space, go with wood putty—it’s thinner and will allow for more movement within the wood in case it expands or contracts over time.
If there’s a big gap between two boards in your flooring, though, spackle is the way to go since it’s thicker and will have more staying power over time.
If you’re working with both types of filler at once (say, if there are some large gaps but also some smaller ones), mix them together before applying them to your project so they’ll dry together evenly without leaving any lumpy bits behind when they dry out completely later on down the road!
Conclusion
Wood filler is a great tool for filling holes in wood and other materials. It’s available in a variety of formulas, including DAP Wood Filler and DRYDEX Spackling.
You can use it to fill nail holes, gaps between boards or panels, cracks in trim pieces such as baseboards or molding—even gaps left by nails that were removed from your project!