Wood filler is a very common and versatile product that can be used to fill holes, cracks, and other imperfections in wood. The consistency of this product varies depending on what you’re using it for.
How long does wood filler last after opening?
Wood filler isn’t the sort of thing you want to keep in your garage, so if you’re using it on a regular basis, it’s important to store it properly.
The lifespan of wood filler depends on how well you store it after opening. If you keep your wood filler in cool, dry locations and avoid moisture, heat, or direct sunlight (like under the sink or behind a toolbox), then its freshness will last longer.
But if you store your unopened cans for long periods of time in warm, humid conditions that encourage mold growth and oxidation—like under the kitchen sink or next to wet paint brushes—then their shelf life will be shorter.
Table of Contents
Can you save dried out wood filler?
If you’ve left wood filler in a dry place and it’s dried out, don’t worry! You can still use it. Just add some water to it and mix until it becomes soft again. Then put the wood filler back into its plastic container to keep it moist.
If your wood filler is hard and dried out because you kept it in a damp place, there’s a good chance that when you get home from work today, there will still be some usable filler left over—the water has likely evaporated by now!
If this is the case with your wood filler, try placing it in an oven set at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes before using; this should help soften up any hardened areas of the product so that you can use them again tomorrow morning without having to wait hours for them to dry once more (although we recommend storing all types of sealants/paints/finishes/woodworking products away from direct sunlight).
How do you make wood filler soft again?
If your wood filler is hard to work with, there are a few things you can do to make it softer again.
- You can use a hairdryer on low heat (or a heat gun) to gently warm the wood filler until it is malleable again.
- If you’re working with large pieces of wood, you can use a heat lamp—either in combination with the hairdryer or on its own—to soften the putty and make it easy to spread out into place.
- If you have access to an oven or other heating source and have time on your hands, stick some unused scraps of wood in there for 10–15 minutes at 300˚ Fahrenheit (150˚ C). The excess moisture will help soften up any excess glue that’s causing problems for you!
Can you thin wood filler?
You can thin wood filler with water or a solvent, such as turpentine, mineral spirits, or lacquer thinner. The amount of thinner you add to the wood filler will affect the consistency of your final product.
A thinned mixture may be easier to work with than a thick one, but it will not have as much strength.
When deciding how much thinner to add, keep in mind that you should always use less material than you think is necessary—not more—to create an effective product.
If too much material is added, it could cause problems when applying your wood filler and ultimately result in waste due to poor coverage or excess drying time required by an overly thin mixture
Why does my wood filler keep cracking?
Wood filler will crack if it dries out, so the first thing to do is be sure to keep your wood filler in a cool, dry place. It’s also important not to use too much filler; less is more when it comes to filling gaps.
Finally, if you’ve had your wood filler for a long time and find that it has become too hard and cracked, just mix in some fresh paint thinner or turpentine until the consistency is right again.
Does wood filler harden like wood?
Yes! Wood filler is a type of putty, which means it’s a soft filler that you use to fill holes and gaps in wood. Putty can also be used to fill holes and gaps in walls or even plaster.
How do you make dry putty soft again?
There are a few ways to soften dry putty. Using a damp cloth, you can wipe away dust, dirt, oil, and paint from the surface of your wood filler. You can also use it to wipe away rust or glue from the surface of your wood filler.
In most cases, you don’t need to worry about softening dry putty because it will be used soon after mixing it up with water—but if you have leftovers in an unsealed container (like an old coffee mug), moisture may seep into them over time and make them harden up again.
Are wood putty and wood filler the same?
- Wood putty and wood filler are two different products.
- Wood putty is a softer and more flexible version of wood filler. Wood putty comes in tubes and is used to fill in small holes and dents, while the harder wood filler comes in cans and is used to fill in larger holes and dents. Both products are made from sawdust mixed with glue, but they cure at different rates: Wood putty will dry faster than wood filler, which allows you time to sand it before it hardens completely so that you can get an even finish when you paint or stain over your repaired spot.*
Conclusion
With these tips, you should be able to keep your wood filler fresh and ready for use. As always, we recommend that you store your filler in the refrigerator if possible so that it never dries out.
And remember: when in doubt, mix up some more!
