Wood filler sticks are a simple and easy way to fill in gaps and cracks in wood. But how do you use them? Is there more than one type of wood filler stick?
And what’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler? We’ll answer all those questions here, plus show you how to apply it properly for an invisible repair job on your furniture or other projects.
How do you use wood putty sticks?
There are a few ways to apply wood filler sticks. You can use your finger and spread it on the surface of the wood, or you can use a putty knife or similar tool.
Once you’ve applied it to the damaged area, smooth it out with your finger or another tool that has some texture to it.
If using a putty knife, be sure not to scrape off any excess material; simply patting down with moderate pressure should suffice.
Once dried, sanding is necessary for removing any roughness and getting them ready for painting!
When finished working on your project, remove all traces of excess glue by wiping it off with newspaper or an old rag soaked in mineral spirits (this will prevent future staining).
Table of Contents
How do you apply wood filler?
- Use a putty knife or a small spatula to apply the filler.
- Spread it evenly over the gap, pressing firmly into the joint as you go.
- Wipe off any excess with a damp cloth.
What are wood filler sticks?
Wood filler sticks are a type of putty, applied with a putty knife, that is used to fill small holes and cracks in wood.
They can also be used to fill gaps between wood joints. The best thing about wood filler sticks is their fast drying properties; once you’ve wiped away the excess from your project, it will begin to harden almost immediately and you’ll be able to use it again in no time!
Do fill sticks Harden?
Yes. The sticks are only like paste and will harden eventually. The more you use them, the harder they get.
Using fillers is a great way to save money, especially when using wood filler sticks because they are less expensive than liquid fillers.
What’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler?
You might be wondering, what’s the difference between wood putty and wood filler? Put simply: Wood putty is a softer, crumbly material that is more forgiving during sanding.
Wood filler is a hard, solid material that takes more effort to shape but can be sanded to a smooth finish.
So which one should you use? That depends on your project and personal preference. If you want an easy-to-work-with product that allows plenty of room for error in shaping it into place and will allow you to sand back down after mistakes (or if you’re just not good at measuring things), then wood putty may be for you.
But if strength and durability matter most—and/or cost isn’t an issue—then it makes sense to go with wood filler instead.
How do you smooth out wood filler?
Once you’ve filled the gaps, use a putty knife to smooth out any excess wood filler. If it’s still a bit lumpy, use a sanding block to smooth it out.
You can also use a wet rag to smooth out any lumps or bumps in your wood filler when it’s still wet–this isn’t recommended for dry wood filler, however, as it will crumble easier than if left alone.
How thick can wood filler be applied?
The thickness of the wood filler will depend on the size of the gap, but if you’re unsure how much to use, err on the side of applying too little rather than too much.
If you find that your wood filler is too thick, use a putty knife to scrape some off until it’s at a more appropriate thickness for filling in cracks and holes.
Once you’ve applied enough wood filler to fill in all gaps between the wood and wall surface, let your patch dry completely before sanding it smooth with medium-grade sandpaper (between 100 and 150 grit).
What’s best for filling gaps in wood?
If you’re looking for a cheaper filler, then wood putty or other types of filler sticks are your best bet. You can also opt to use these products if you need to fill larger gaps.
Wood putty is great for filling larger gaps and imperfections in the wood but it tends to be messier than most other options.
Wood filler sticks are usually available in two different types: one that contains sawdust and another that doesn’t.
The non-sawdust type generally costs more money because it has a higher concentration of resin and will dry much harder when cured than those with sawdust content.
You can also choose between two different types of tubes depending on how big the gap needs to be filled: one-kilogram tubes or 500g tubes (which are smaller).
If you want something easier to work with, we recommend using tube form because it comes out easily without leaving any residue behind on your fingers or hands after each squeeze so there won’t be any mess left behind either!
Conclusion
As you can see, wood filler is a very versatile product that can be used in many different ways.
Whether you’re filling cracks or holes, or just need to smooth out some rough edges on an existing piece of furniture, there’s no doubt that this guide will come in handy when it comes time for your next woodworking project!
