Have you ever had a project go smoothly at first, but then hit a snag? One day, your wood filler looked like it was going to work perfectly with the stain; the next day, you were left with an unsightly mess.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. There’s still hope for your project! In this article, we’ll explore why wood filler won’t take stains and how to make it happen (stainable wood filler that is).
Why is my wood filler not taking stains?
Wood filler is a different product altogether. It’s not painted, and it’s not a stain. So if you’re expecting your wood filler to take on the color of the stain you’ve applied, you will be disappointed.
Wood filler is actually a material that fills in cracks and other imperfections in your wood, making it smooth and level again.
You can usually find this type of product at hardware stores or home improvements centers like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
The thing about these types of stores is that they’re stocked with all sorts of products for all sorts of purposes—and sometimes these purposes overlap!
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How do you get wood filler to stain?
If you’re applying a wood filler over bare wood, it can be difficult to get the material to adhere without any stain. Staining is a good way to ensure that the filler won’t peel off or crack in the future.
There are two ways you can get wood filler to stain:
- Use a stainable wood filler. Wood fillers generally come in two types: non-stainable and stainable. Non-stainable fillers will not color at all when they dry out; they only alter the texture of your surface as they settle into it and level out unevenness. Stainable fillers, on the other hand, darken when exposed either directly or indirectly (in this case) with an oil-based sealer that penetrates their surface and allows them to absorb colored pigments from staining material such as paint or varnish.
How do you darken stainable wood filler?
You can darken the wood filler by using a darker stain.
- Don’t use a stain that is too dark. Using a very dark stain will cause it to look like you’re trying to color your wood filler black, which might be cool if you were actually trying to do that, but in this case, it’s not what we want. Some examples of stains that are “too dark” include red mahogany, cherrywood, walnut, and ebony (all actual names for actual stains).
- Don’t use a stain that is too light. This one can be trickier than the above because there are so many shades of paint labeled “light,” but the idea here is similar: You want something with enough color variation between the filler and your base layer without making things too far apart from each other or creating an unsightly contrast between them. Some examples of stains that are “too light” include whitewash (again with these crazy names), creamy white (another name), ivory cream (and yet another name)…the list goes on!
Can I sand and stain wood filler?
If you have filler that won’t accept stain, you can sand it and then stain it. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when sanding wood filler:
- Sanding will help remove any raised fibers from the surface of your wood filler. This is especially helpful if you’re applying a textured finish or want to create natural-looking edges on flat surfaces like baseboards and door frames.
What’s the best wood filler to stain?
While there are many factors to consider when choosing a wood filler, it’s important to remember that no matter what you choose, the end result is only as good as your ability to apply and sand it.
The best wood filler for staining will be one that is compatible with the stain—and not just any stain, but your particular brand of choice.
It should also be compatible with your wood type and project needs. For example, if you’re working with knots and flaws in an expensive piece of furniture then using a filler that can hide those imperfections may be more important than applying one that will accept more coats of paint or stain later on down the road.
Can I stain on top of wood filler?
You can stain on top of wood filler if it is a light color, but not if it’s dark or colored. The reason for this is that stain tends to sink into the wood filler and create a darker surface than you intend.
There are some exceptions; for example, if your filler was white and you wanted that color to show through after staining (or if your wood filler was white), then go ahead and try it out! But otherwise, we recommend avoiding staining over dark-colored fillers like brown or black.
Why is wood filler showing through paint?
When wood filler does not seal properly, it can show through paint. Here are some reasons why that might happen:
- It’s not sanded enough
- It’s not dry enough
- The color isn’t right for your project
- The brand of wood filler you’re using is different from the one you used before (different brands have different consistencies)
Can you gel stain over wood filler?
You cannot gel stain over wood filler because it’s not a good choice for filling holes or cracks. Gel stain is a water-based finish, which means it will pull away from the filler. This can cause chipping and peeling in your finished project.
If you’re considering using wood filler as your final coat, consider an oil-based primer instead of gel stain to achieve the best results for your piece.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble getting the wood filler to stain the way you want it to, try these tips:
Try a different wood filler. Different brands have different compositions and will react differently with water. So if one brand doesn’t work, try another one!
Increase the amount of water you use when mixing your wood filler. A higher percentage of water will allow more time for the stain to adhere before it dries out again; if this doesn’t work then try adding more stain or dye!
If all else fails, consider glazing instead of staining. Glazing gives an opaque finish that looks similar but requires less effort on your part (especially if you don’t have much experience).
It can be used over any type of paint without having an effect on its color or texture – so long as there was no previous finish present when applying new coats.”
