Wood filler alternatives | Pianotech (2024)

FAQs

What can I use to substitute wood filler? ›

Wood putty is great for covering up nail holes, scratches, dings, and small gouges. Wood putty does not harden, making it ideal for outdoor use. Wood filler is stainable and sandable, whereas wood putty is not.

You shouldn't use wood filler on wood that is already finished or on wood that is to be used in an exterior setting. Wood filler shrinks and hardens and will fail in the event of expansion and contraction, which is much more likely in exterior uses than interior uses.

Caulk is a more common choice for sealing smaller cracks and holes that experience minimal expansion and contraction, while wood filler is better for filling larger holes and cracks. Incorporate both for your projects, and you'll be able to remedy any situation.

Mix the Wood Filler

Gather the cleaned sawdust into a small pile or in a paper cup. Add wood glue and stir with a craft stick, adding more glue until the mixture is a thick putty, roughly the texture of cookie dough. Avoid adding so much glue that the mixture becomes runny.

Wood filler or wood grain filler is a compound that is usually made from a combination of materials such as epoxy, lacquer, clay, and polyurethane. It is used to repair damaged wood such as small dents, cracks and large splits.

Minwax Stainable Wood Filler

The product is designed with such expertise that you can use it for both exterior and interior applications. Customer review shows that the product is easy to use and also dries fast.

Wood putty is denser than wood filler, and it's so pliable you typically have to apply it with a putty knife. Like window glazing or plumber's putty, wood putty is a mixture of plastic and oil-based solvents. Because it doesn't harden like wood filler, wood putty won't shrink or crack, but you can't sand it.

What can I use to fill wood joints? ›

Some sort of glue (Wood glue/Craft glue - it serves as the binding agent. Almost any type of glue works. I like to use some multipurpose glue, as it's easier to clean than epoxy for example. Also, please use transparent or white glue, as coloured glues can stain the putty, and we don't want that).

Many fillers are multi-purpose and can be used for walls and wood alike so you don't specifically have to buy a specialist. However, we recommend using our Multi Purpose Wood Filler that flexes and bends with the wood for a longer perfect finish.

Use roughly a teaspoon of pumice for every square foot of surface. Add more oil if the mixture appears chalky. The oil filler has a generous open time, so you really can pack it into the grain. Examine the surface against a low-angle light, a technique known as backlighting, to make sure all of the grain is filled.

Bondo, and other polyester fillers, are the go-to product for many people working with wood where strength is the requirement. They are easy and fast to mix, bond very well to wood, harden quickly and dry extremely hard¹.