Have you ever noticed that wood filler has a funny smell? It’s because it literally contains sawdust, which means it can absorb the scent of the wood you’re working with.
While this is great for those who want their project to smell like cedar or pine, not everyone wants their project smelling like a freshly milled board.
So how do you get rid of that smell? Is there any way to color it or tint it so that it doesn’t stain your hands when applying? Here are some quick and easy ways to change how your epoxy wood filler looks once applied:
How do you color over wood filler?
You can color wood filler several different ways. The first is by using a colored wood filler, which is available in many different colors.
If you don’t want to buy a specific color, you can also use acrylic paint or even colored pencils to change the color of your existing filler.
If you are repairing a dark-colored object with a light-colored paint and want it to match perfectly, then fill your cracks with dark-colored filler before painting over them with light-colored paint.
This way, when you apply the second coat of paint (and any additional coats), there won’t be any white cracks showing through that detract from the overall look of your repaired area.
Alternatively (or additionally), if there are areas where wood has rotted away completely and needs replacing entirely, then simply use a darker shade than what was previously present in order for those spots not only to match but also blend into their surroundings seamlessly once dry.
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Can you darken wood filler?
This is a common question, so we’ve put together a list of ways you can darken wood filler.
- Use a darker wood filler. If you have some on hand, try using that first. If not, head over to your local home improvement store and find the darkest filler they have available.
- Stain the area before applying the new color coat of stain or paint to get it dark enough!
- Try painting over it with a darker shade of paint or stain (if possible) to achieve the desired look without having to strip off the existing layer(s).
Can I mix stain into wood filler?
Yes, you can mix stain into wood filler.
It’s a great way to get the color you want and it’s super easy. Just mix up a small amount of the wood filler with your chosen stain (or paint) and use it like normal.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t use an oil-based stain or paint, as these will not stick to the dry particles of wood filler.
Instead choose something high quality with lots of pigment in it – there are many good brands available on Amazon.
Can you paint wood filler?
Wood fillers can be painted with any type of paint, though it is best to use paints that are designed for this purpose.
The ideal choice would be water-based paints (e.g., latex or acrylic) because they are easy to clean up, but oil-based and epoxy paints will also work well if properly prepped for painting.
Even though the general rule is that you should always prime bare wood before painting over it, this does not apply when using filler as an undercoat because it will not absorb any moisture from the surface below and so won’t allow anything else to stick properly in future applications.
Can I sand and stain wood filler?
Wood filler, like many other products, is available in a variety of colors. Since wood filler is applied to fill gaps and holes in wood, you can choose which color you think will look best on your project.
But what if you don’t like the color of the wood filler that was used? Or maybe there is too much of it on one side of the object? Well, here’s how to fix it!
- Sand down the area until smooth. You want to remove any excess product from around the edges so that when you stain or paint over it later, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding surface. When sanding down excess material from around an object such as a table or chair leg (which has been filled with wood filler), try using fine grain sandpaper so as not to cause scratches on neighboring surfaces such as floors or walls where these objects might be placed later on down in their lives.*
How do you make wood filler look natural?
If you’re planning to use wood filler, take a look at the wood itself. If it’s light, then go ahead and use a lighter-colored filler.
Likewise, if your wood is dark, you’ll want to match that with a darker-colored filler.
If you don’t want to spend money on two different fillers (and why would you?), there’s another option: just add some tint to the one that matches your wood color!
The great thing about tinted fillers is that they’re already mixed together—you don’t have to buy separate components like white glue and sanding dust separately (though if you do mix your own components in order to get exactly what shade or tone of color that works best for you, more power!).
How do you hide wood filler?
If you’ve got a large, obvious gap in your woodwork, or if it’s unsightly to begin with, using wood filler is an easy fix.
But sometimes that quick-and-easy solution can leave you with less than ideal results. In those instances, rather than trying to paint over the wood filler or going through the hassle of repainting it yourself (which might lead to drips and runs), consider using one of these three methods for changing its color instead:
- The first option is to use a color that’s similar to the stain used on your piece of furniture. This will help make sure that no matter where you look, everything blends together seamlessly and looks like it belongs where it is—even though there was once a noticeable gap before you added the new finish!
- If you don’t want to go overboard with your creativity but still want more variety in terms of what colors are available when choosing finishes for different pieces across various rooms throughout any given home or apartment building…then why not use another method? Try painting over what was originally white plaster wallboard before installing drywall panels instead! It may seem counterintuitive at first glance because we’ve been taught since childhood about how bad this stuff smells when we’re using our hands during construction projects around our house – but think about how much easier life would be without worrying about whether or not some paintbrush dipped into white plaster wallboard will ever come off again.”
How do you tint epoxy wood filler?
The best way to tint epoxy wood filler is with a color-matched dye. Pour the dye into a container and add it to your epoxy, stirring well.
If you’re not sure how much dye you need, start with just a few drops—you can always add more later if needed.
Conclusion
It’s a lot easier to color wood filler than you think! You can do it in many different ways, depending on the look you want.
If you’re trying to darken the filler or make it look more natural, sanding and staining is a great option. If you want it lighter or have already stained your wood project but don’t like how dark the stain looks on top of this filler, painting over it with latex paint will give you that perfect finish every time!
