Best Wood Filler For Repairing Scratches And Holes

Wood filler is essential for fixing scratches, dense and holes in wood surfaces. Whether you’re restoring furniture, repairing flooring, or fixing up trim, choosing the right wood filler can make a huge difference in the final result. And this guy we will go for the best wood fillers for various repair jobs and how to use them effectively. 

What is wood filler? 

Wood filler is a substance used to fill gaps, cracks, or holes in wood. It comes in different forms, including a water base, solvent based, and epoxy based filler. Summer designed for interior use, while others are tough enough to be on exterior applications.

Types of wood fillers

Wood base, wood fillers

• Easy to clean up
• Dries quickly
• Best for interior projects

Solvent based wood fillers

• More durable and shrink resistant
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
• Requires solvent for cleanup

Epoxy wood fillers

• Extremely strong and waterproof
• Ideal for major projects and exterior application applications
• Requires mixing before application

Latex wood filler

• Flexible and easy to apply
• Good for minor repairs and finishing work
• Paintable and stainable

Best wood fillers for different repairs

Best overall:  Minwax high-performance wood filler. 

Minwax is a trucker brand in wood repair, this high-performance filler is excellent for both large and small repairs. It’s fast drying, making it great for high traffic areas.

Pros

• Dries in about 15 minutes
• Can be sanded, drilled or painted
• Works on both exterior and interior wood

Cons

• Requires mixing
• Has a strong odor

Best for small scratches Elmer’s carpenters wood filler

If you’re dealing with a minor scratch and a small nail hole., Elmer carpenter wood filler is a top choice. It’s easy to use, nontoxic, dries quickly.

Pros

• Affordable and widely available
• Paintable and stainable 
• Nontoxic and easy to clean up

Cons 

• Not suitable for large holes
• May shrinks slightly when drying

Best for exterior use Bondo wood filler

Bondo is a heavy duty filler that resists moisture, making it perfect for outdoor board repair. It hardens like real wood, and can even be shaped after drying.

Pros

• Super strong and durable
• Water resistant and weatherproof
• Can be carved or sanded

Cons

• Requires mixing
• Drives very fast, so work quickly

Best for staining Timbermate wood filler

Timbermate as a unique water based wood filler that doesn’t contain solvents. It observes stain except exceptionally well, making an ideal for matching wood green.

Pros

• Easy to sand and reapply
• Dries quickly without cracking
• Accepts stain evenly

Cons

• Not for outdoor use
• Can dry out in the container if not sealed properly

How to apply wood filler properly

• Prepare the surface, clean the damaged area by removing dust, debris, or loose wood.
• Apply the filler use a putty, knife to press the filler into the scratch or hole. Overfill slightly to account for shrinkage.
• Let it dry check the product instructions for drying time. Some fillers dry in minutes and others may take hours.
• Sand, smooth once it’s dry, sand the area until it flush with the surrounding wood.
• Stain or paint applying stain or paint for seamless finish.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right wood filler depends on the type of repair, the location, indoor or outdoor, and whether you need it to be stained or painted. For small touchups, our carpenters wood filler is a great choice, while Bondo wood filler is perfect for exterior repairs. If you’re looking for a high performance, all around filler, Minwax high-performance wood filler is hard to beat. 

Got a wood project that needs professional repair? Call us at 313-513-1185 for a professional expert handyman.