Wood filler is a popular way to fill holes and dents in furniture. It’s easy to use, and it fills gaps quickly without requiring any sanding or prep work.
But when the project is done and you want your piece of furniture looking its best again (and ready for sale), you might be wondering what’s the best way to get rid of wood filler once and for all. That’s where this article comes in!
We’ll cover all your options for removing wood filler—from simple methods like sanding down rough edgestoine grit sandpaper, to more advanced techniques involving chemicals like acetone or bleach (though we’d recommend against those).
What can I use instead of wood filler?
As you may know, there are many different types of products that can be used to fill holes in wood. Wood putty is one option, as are wood filler (which comes in two varieties: compact and non-compact), caulk, and peanut butter.
If you don’t have any of those on hand and you’re not feeling particularly adventurous, perhaps it’s time to turn to the old standby: drywall mud.
Although this product has been around for ages in construction work, it’s only recently become popular among hobbyists looking for a quick fix for their wood-related problems.
The material comes in either powder form or pre-mixed liquid; both versions will do the job well enough once applied according to instructions included with your purchase—or simply by following our step-by-step guide below!
Table of Contents
- What can I use instead of wood filler?
- How do you fill holes in wood DIY?
- How do you fill holes in finished wood?
- Can I use caulk instead of wood filler?
- Can you use wood glue as a filler?
- Can you use peanut butter as wood filler?
- Can I use drywall mud instead of wood filler?
- What is the difference between wood putty and wood filler?
How do you fill holes in wood DIY?
- Apply the filler to the hole using a putty knife. You don’t want to glob it on; just smear it into the hole with your finger or a damp rag.
- Rub the filler in until it is level with the surrounding surface of your piece of furniture or woodworking project (or any other wooden surface).
- Wipe off any excess filler before it dries so you don’t have an uneven surface to sand later on!
- Sand down your filled-in surface until it is smooth and even again, then apply a finish if desired!
How do you fill holes in finished wood?
To fill a hole in finished wood, you’ll want to use wood putty or filler that matches the color of your wood.
If the hole is very small and the area around it is smooth and clean, then you can use regular sandpaper to remove some of the finish surrounding the area.
You don’t have to sand all of it off; just make sure there aren’t any big bumps or ridges left when you’re done.
If you need to fill larger holes (1/2 inch wide or more), then we recommend using a two-part epoxy filler kit instead of a standard wood putty or filling material because it’s stronger and more durable for bigger repairs like these.
Can I use caulk instead of wood filler?
Wood filler is a great way to fill holes in wood. But sometimes you need a more flexible alternative, like caulk. Caulk is good for filling larger holes than wood filler, but it’s not as strong and not as easy to use.
If you have an area where you want something that can flex and bend with the surface of your project but still be durable enough to last, then using caulk would probably be your best option.
In addition, if your project involves several different types of wood and materials that are patched together or layered on top of each other (such as in multi-layer furniture), then using caulk may work better than trying to fill those types of gaps with just one type of filler material (like spackle).
Can you use wood glue as a filler?
Wood glue is a water-based adhesive that you apply to wood surfaces and lets dry for several hours. It’s ideal for bonding small pieces of wood together, but it can be used to fill holes in wood as well.
Wood glue is an adhesive made from polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which comes in the form of a liquid or powder. The PVA reacts with the moisture in your fingers when you rub it onto the surface of your project, creating an instant bond that fills any holes or cracks without leaving residue behind.
Wood glues are also non-toxic and easy to clean up after use, so they’re great for kids’ projects as well as DIY household repairs!
Can you use peanut butter as wood filler?
No! No, no, no! Peanut butter is not a good wood filler. Nor is it a good wood putty. Nor is it a good wood glue.
As we’ve already discussed in this article and others on the site (like this one), peanut butter makes an excellent sandwich spread and perhaps even an acceptable dessert topping if you’re into that sort of thing—but any more than that and your peanut butter-laced dish will probably look less like something straight out of Martha Stewart’s kitchen and more like something straight out of Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory.
Can I use drywall mud instead of wood filler?
Yes, you can use drywall mud to fill holes in wood. But we don’t recommend it. Drywall mud is not sandable, paintable, waterproof, or strong enough to withstand rigorous use.
What is the difference between wood putty and wood filler?
Wood putty is used for filling holes and cracks. This DIY wood filler is great for fine woodworking and will match the color of your wood.
Wood putty can also help to seal in moisture while it dries, so it’s great for areas that may be susceptible to water damage like windowsills or siding on your house.
Wood filler is used for filling holes and cracks in furniture or other items made from natural materials such as hardwood floors and cabinets.
Because of its brown color, this type of DIY fix typically doesn’t match the color of the surrounding surface, as well as white putty, does—but if you’re not concerned about matching colors perfectly, then this option might be easier for you!
Conclusion
We hope this article has made it easier for you to understand what is the difference between wood putty and wood filler.
We also hope that you were able to find some helpful tips on how to fill holes in your wooden pieces of furniture without using any kind of filler at all.