If you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance you’ve run into some sort of wood-related problem in your home.
From cracks to gouges to holes, it’s easy for damage to sneak up on us and our floors. Luckily, there are solutions!
In this article, we’ll show you how to make wood filler look like wood by tinting and staining it so that it blends seamlessly into the surrounding area.
How do you hide wood filler?
- Use a wood filler that is the same color as your wood.
- Use a wood filler that is darker than your wood.
- Use a wood filler that is lighter than your wood.
- Use a wood filler that is one shade lighter than your wood, but not too light!
Table of Contents
How do you tint wood filler?
If you’re using a wood filler that is already tinted, no extra work is needed. But if you’re using a standard wood filler or wood putty and want it to look like real wood, there are a few ways to achieve this.
The easiest is probably just to use paint or stain on the surface of your filler after you’ve applied it (and before it dries). This can be done with paintbrushes or sprayers depending on how much coverage you need.
If this isn’t enough for your purposes, another option is mixing some epoxy resin into your wood filler before applying it. This gives it more strength and durability as well as giving it an aged appearance that looks closer to actual aged wood than regular fillers do alone.
How do you make wood filler look like grain?
- Use a wood filler that is tinted.
- Use a wood filler that is colored, but not tinted.
- Use a wood filler that is both tinted and colored.
- Use a wood filler that is both tinted and colored with texture to it (like flax seed or fine sand).
Can I mix stain with wood filler?
Yes, you can stain wood filler. You can use regular wood filler or self-leveling wood filler in any color to match your project’s finish.
Your options for finishing it are also limitless: you can use water-based stains or oil-based stains (or a combination of the two).
Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and remember that staining will not change the color of your wood filler—you’ll still need to sand away any excess after it dries.
How do you stain a wood filler to match the floor?
To dye a filler to match the floor, you’ll need a stain that closely matches. You can use either a brush or roller application to apply the stain. Let it dry for at least 24 hours before sanding lightly with 80-grit sandpaper and applying another coat.
How do you darken wood filler?
If you want a dark wood filler, there are a few options.
- Use a darker wood filler. This is the easiest solution and will likely result in the best-looking results.
- Use a darker stain before painting with your chosen paint color. This might be more work than it’s worth, but if you’re looking for something that looks like real hardwood flooring or trim, then this could be an option for you.
- Use a darker stain after painting with your chosen paint color (if needed). If you don’t like how much lighter than true-to-nature your original color turned out when applied over the filler, then try applying another coat after everything has dried—then sand lightly again with fine-grit sandpaper between coats! You’ll have to wait at least 24 hours between coats though so plan accordingly!
Can I color wood filler?
If you’re looking for a temporary fix, consider using acrylic craft paint. It’s easy to use and comes in a variety of colors that are easy to match with your project.
To apply the paint, brush it onto the filler until it’s fully covered. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping away any excess with a dry rag. This will give you time to see what needs touching up before fully curing and hardening.
The next option is wood stain, which can give your wood filler a more natural look while also adding contrast between dark and light areas on your piece (depending on what color you choose).
The same application process applies here: brush the stain onto your filler, let it sit until dry, then wipe away any excess with a rag or paper towel before allowing it to completely cure overnight.
Can you sand wood filler?
Yes. Sanding is an essential step in making the wood filler look like real wood.
If you want to stain or paint your project, sanding is absolutely necessary for a good finish. You’ll need to use fine-grit sandpaper and sand until it’s smooth and there are no rough edges or bumps.
Conclusion
There are many ways to conceal your wood filler. You can choose a stain that matches the flooring material so that there is no visible difference between the two surfaces.
You can also use sandpaper to make filler look like wood grain or even paint it with paint to give it color!