When working with old wood, it’s often necessary to repair damages such as large holes resulting from rot or poor craftsmanship. Whether you’re diving into a detailed tutorial on advanced woodworking or simply tackling the neverending home improvement list, understanding wood filling is essential. Here are nine commonly used methods to help any DIY-er fill voids and large holes in various types of wood.
Understanding the wood grain and types of wood you’re working with can influence your choice of wood filling methods. Wood putty is a compound designed for repairing holes in wood. It’s available both pre-made and as a powder that you mix with water. Its color closely resembles wood, making it ideal for blending in holes when the wood grain remains visible, like on wooden furniture.
Although there’s a tutorial on creating your own wood putty using drywall compound and fine sanding dust, many opt for off-the-shelf wood filler putty. While wood putty isn’t the only option for wood filling, it’s among the most popular for filling voids, especially small ones like screw holes in visible locations.
Clean the hole of debris. For deep holes, deepen them slightly using a chisel to ensure the putty fills them entirely.
Follow the package instructions to mix the wood putty. If it’s in powder form, add water until achieving a thick paste consistency.
Use a putty knife to fill the hole, applying light pressure in a back-and-forth motion.
Smooth the putty’s surface with the knife, removing any excess.
Allow the putty to dry, typically around 24 hours.
Sand the dried putty with fine-grit sandpaper or an electric sander until smooth. Finish with stain or other products as necessary.
Epoxy is versatile for filling wood holes, with the best method depending on the hole’s size and shape. Epoxy adheres to wood’s pores and fibers similarly to dyes or varnishes. Most hardware stores carry two-part epoxy kits, which include a hardener to mix with the resin, resulting in a durable, waterproof filler.
For small holes, a putty knife or epoxy ball suffices. For larger holes, consider mixing in sawdust or wood shavings to form a paste. Once the epoxy dries, sand it flush with the wood’s surface. Then, paint or varnish as needed.
Epoxy can also be mixed with sawdust for larger or deeper holes. While epoxy requires some skill, it’s perfect for extensive damage or severely rotted wood.
Shellac sticks, also known as burn-in sticks, are solid sticks of colored shellac that can be used to fill small imperfections in wood, including holes, dents, and scratches. They come in various colors to match different types of wood and their respective wood grain.
How to Use Shellac Sticks:
Clean the hole to ensure it’s free of debris and dust.
Heat a burn-in knife (or a regular knife if you don’t have one) using a propane torch or alcohol lamp.
Touch the heated knife to the shellac stick to melt a small amount.
Drip the melted shellac into the hole, slightly overfilling it.
Allow the shellac to cool and harden.
Use a scraper or razor blade to carefully remove the excess, making it flush with the wood surface.
Buff the area with fine steel wool or sandpaper to blend it in.
Finish with a coat of wax or polish to enhance the shine and match the surrounding area.
