As a woodworker, there are numerous instances you have to drive screws into a piece of wood but it end up leaving narrow holes at the top. Also, there could be other open holes or gaps that typically don’t make your wood look so good especially if you want a smooth texture. Well, you inevitably have alternative agents to do away with these holes; using wood putty and wood filler.
This article helps you not only understand the two possibilities but also how to employ them for remarkable wood surfaces.
Wood putty, also known as wood dough, is a substance made of varied colorings and ingredients like fine dust for repairing wood products. It can be polyurethane, epoxy, or fiberglass.
In most cases, wood putty is applied on wood materials before other procedures like staining, sanding and other finishing.
It helps fill the small knots, cracks, splits and other wood defects. Once applied, it undergoes a chemical reaction to dry hard producing a glossy finish on your material. It is widely used for wood bonding and wearing for an attractive look.
Veteran woodworkers can attest to the fact that it always saves the day when doing tasks like hardwood flooring. You can fill the abysses either before or after the finishing, and in minutes you are eyeing a satisfactory and nearly neat wood texture.
Wood putty could be water-based, a preferred choice for diminishing the coarse wood looks. On the other hand, it can also be solvent-based for thickening uniformity on unwanted holes.
Wood filler is traditionally made of wood fibers or sawdust added to glue. However, it may consist of other components like a bulking agent, solvent for binding parts or filling pores on the wood surface.
It is a solution for woodworkers seeking a silky and super clean texture. You will find it easy to fix the many defects on walnut, oak, and other applicable materials. It’s largely impervious, a brilliant idea for outdoor use.
Nonetheless, for those that are strained for easy matching to pieces of wood, they are suitable for indoor use. Other applications of wood fillers include fixing scratches and scrapes usually done after filling or staining the defects.
Pertinent tips on using Wood Putty and Wood Filler
Using wood filler
Make sure you have a Putty knife, Wood putty, and Sandpaper then follow these other ideas for concentrated application of your wood filler.
Using wood putty
Essentials to keep in mind
In most cases it is fitting to use wood filler when you have finalized light wood sanding, otherwise, deep sanding might cause an irregular surface on your wood. This will ensure you reach deep into the holes for an accomplished finish.
Advisably, apply wood putty before staining the wood to bring out a satisfactory look after sanding for a smooth texture. Or else, doing this after staining affects wood coloring. This is why you normally come across unmatched colors on your piece of wood after your project is exhaustively done.
Conclusion
The wood filling is a great way to do away with the stains on your wood surface. When using both wood filler and wood putty, just in case you don’t have the sandpaper to scrub off the surfaces, you can opt for a burlap or microfiber rag.
However, avoid using abrasive materials like steel wool likely to damage the texture of the surface. For wood putty mixing, adopt the appropriate and recommended formula from the manufacturer for outstanding results.
