When you’re trying to fix a hole in your furniture or other wood surfaces, it’s important that you get the right kind of product. Wood putty and wood filler both do essentially the same thing: they fill holes and cracks in wood.
However, there are some differences between these two products that will determine which one is better for your particular project.
Can you use wood filler instead of putty?
If your project requires a lot of filling, you may find that wood filler is more durable. Wood putty is better for smaller areas because it can be sanded and shaped more easily than wood filler.
Putty also dries quickly, so it’s a good choice if you don’t have time to wait around for the product to dry completely before moving on to the next step in your project (such as painting).
Table of Contents
Is putty the same as filler?
Putty and filler are similar in that they are both used to fill gaps in wood. However, there are some important differences between the two:
- Filler is usually used for filling holes or cracks in wood, while putty is more commonly used for filling gaps.
- While both products can be applied with a putty knife, a filler is typically easier to apply because it has a finer texture than putty. Filler also dries faster than putty does (in as little as 20 minutes), so you won’t have to wait as long before sanding the surface smooth again if your project requires it.
What is the purpose of wood putty?
Wood putty is a type of filler that can be used to fill gaps and holes in wood, as well as cover blemishes on the surface.
For example, if you have a small crack or hole in your piece of furniture that needs to be fixed, you can use wood putty to fill it up. You can also use it to cover knots on the surface of your piece and protect them from damage.
Wood filler is similar to wood putty but much more durable because it contains more wax than its counterpart.
The main difference between these two products is their texture: while both are sticky and easy to use with a spatula or knife, wood filler tends to be slightly harder than wood putty because there’s no need for drying time like what happens when using paint thinner over another layer of paint (which usually happens when painting over an existing layer without sanding first).
Does wood putty get hard?
The drying time of wood putty will depend on the type you use and the temperature in your home. In general, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days for a small patch of drywall to fully dry depending on how much moisture that patch has absorbed.
Drying time can also vary depending on how thickly you apply the filler and how humid your house is at any given point in time.
In very humid climates or indoors where there’s not much ventilation, drying times may be longer than usual because excess moisture slows down evaporation by pulling heat away from the surface of your patch and into its surroundings (in other words: it takes longer for anything to evaporate into thin air).
If you’re concerned about how long wood putty takes to dry after applying it, simply run an unplugged electric fan nearby as well as use a dehumidifier if possible – both should speed up this process considerably!
What’s best for filling gaps in wood?
Let’s start with the basics. When you’re working with wood putty, you should use it for filling:
- Small gaps (1/8″ or less)
- Nail holes
Wood filler is best for filling larger gaps and cracks that are wider than 1/8″, but both can be used on any size hole or crack. Before you decide whether to use wood putty or wood filler, keep in mind that they have some differences:
How do you apply wood putty filler?
Applying wood putty fillers is a pretty straightforward process. You can begin by applying the filler to the area that needs to be filled, and then use either a putty knife or your fingers (depending on what type of wood filler you have) to spread it evenly over the surface.
Once that layer has been applied and smoothed out, you’ll want to allow it time to dry before sanding down any bumps or uneven spots that may have formed while spreading it around.
Once dry, you can simply sand off these raised areas with fine-grit sandpaper before moving on with your project!
How long does wood putty take to dry?
When it comes to the drying time of wood putty and filler, there are a few factors that determine how long they take.
The first thing you need to know is that both putty and filler have different drying times, depending on the type of material used in their production.
The drying time of a standard wood putty can be anywhere between 30 minutes up to an hour or two.
This depends on whether you use one made with oil or synthetic resin as its base, which will allow for quicker drying times. However, some brands take even longer to dry due to their formulation and composition.
Do you use wood filler before or after sanding?
If your wood has been painted, the first step is to sand down the top coat of paint. This will allow your filler to adhere better to the surface and give it a nice finish when you’re done.
After that’s done, apply some wood filler where you need it—but don’t overdo it! It’s easy enough to add more later if needed, but impossible to take away once you’re finished.
Conclusion
The main difference between wood putty and wood filler is that the former is used by craftsmen to repair cracks, while the latter is a ready-made product.
