I’m always looking for a new project to try, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right materials. One day I was working on repairing some furniture that had been damaged in a move and needed new wood putty.
However, I was walking through the store and couldn’t find any wood filler that looked as good as what I’d used before! That’s when I got curious: could drywall mud be used as wood filler?
Well, this isn’t a question you should answer alone! Let me tell you everything you need to know about using drywall mud as an alternative filler for your next project.
What can I use instead of wood filler?
You can use a variety of materials to fill holes in wood. Wood filler is simply one of the best options. The products listed below are great alternatives to using wood filler:
- Drywall Mud (also called joint compound)
- Patching Compound
Drywall mud and patching compound are both putty-like materials, whereas drywall mud is typically much thicker than patching compound.
If you’re working with something like a small hole or crack, you may not need anything other than some sandpaper and the appropriate primer/sealer coat for your project if there isn’t any paint involved; just be sure to allow plenty of time for that coating to dry before applying anything else!
Table of Contents
Can you use mud to fill holes in wood?
Drywall mud is not a good wood filler, because it’s too thick. If you try to fill in a hole with drywall mud, the gap will be visible through the dried mud and you’ll have to start over.
The same applies if you try to use drywall mud as a filler on furniture or other surfaces: because it’s so thick and hard, it won’t look right when dried and sanded down.
Drywall mud can also crack if used as an adhesive or filler for pieces of wood that are subject to movement (such as drawers or doors).
Can I use drywall mud to fill holes?
The short answer is yes. Drywall mud is a very versatile material that can be used for many purposes, one of which is filling holes in wood.
If you have a small hole that needs to be filled and the surrounding area around it isn’t damaged, drywall mud will do just fine.
However, if you have large holes or significant damage to your wood project beyond its surface, it would be best to seek out another method of repair.
If your project requires filling larger holes than what drywall mud can accommodate or repairing deeper damage to the material itself (i.e., cracks), then you should look into using other methods such as epoxy glues or putty instead
Is joint compound a good wood filler?
- Not really. A joint compound is used to fill holes in drywall, not to fill the gaps left by a missing piece of wood. It would be far too thick for your purpose and would require you to smooth it out with sandpaper before painting or staining the surface.
- Yes, but only when the joint compound is applied correctly. The right way to apply joint compound as filler involves mixing it with water until it’s thick enough that you can’t stir it anymore—but not so runny that it drips down onto your workbench or floor and ruins everything nearby! This can take some practice if you don’t know what consistency to aim for yet (if any), so start slow and build up speed over time as needed until everything looks good enough on its own merit rather than because you’re rushing through things in order not lose momentum
How do I make my own wood filler?
To get started, mix an equal amount of sawdust and drywall compound. Add a little water to make the mixture easier to apply with a putty knife.
Apply it to the areas in need of repair, then let it dry for about 30 minutes before sanding down any rough patches.
Can I use a patching compound on wood?
You can use drywall compound on wood. It’s the perfect solution for filling holes, cracks, and dings in your furniture or cabinetry.
It’s sandable, paintable, and strong enough to hold screws, so it won’t pull out of the wood when you attach things with them.
It will also flex with seasonal changes (for example shrinkage due to humidity), making it ideal for areas you need to keep waterproof (like bathrooms) or withstand fire damage (like cabinets inside a kitchen).
Can you use drywall compound on plywood?
- Yes! You can use drywall compound to fill in the gaps in plywood.
- Drywall mud is good for wood filler because it hardens and prevents the wood from warping or cracking, and it keeps out water. It works well on doors, furniture, and just about anything made of wood that needs a little TLC.
- If you’re looking for a way to fix your furniture or make it look new again, then drywall mud is a great option for you.
Will thick drywall mud crack?
Yes, you can use drywall mud as a wood filler. The problem is that the fibers in it will expand when water touches them and create a crack in your project.
You can avoid this by mixing the drywall mud with a little water before using it to fill any gaps.
When filling cracks in drywall or other applications where you don’t want any shrinkage, simply mix up some more drywall mud without adding any water at all to avoid cracking issues.
Conclusion
We hope you now have a better understanding of the difference between drywall mud and wood filler.
If you’re looking for a product that can fill holes in wood or plywood, we recommend using a patching compound instead of drywall mud or joint compound.
If your project requires filling larger gaps like dents and gouges then our experts say that applying some joint compound overtop will be sufficient enough to handle those jobs!
