Wood filler products have many uses to repair wooden surfaces and objects. There are water-based wood fillers, which can be diluted with water, and thicker solvent-based products, which are typically used to patch up cracks and holes.
It is important to choose the product with the consistency that is appropriate to the job. Wood fillers dry to a hard finish so they can be sanded or drilled. They can also be painted over or coated with varnish, which is necessary for exterior applications.
Here are some ways to use wood filler products.
Fill Up Holes
If you have a wooden floor, fixture, or any wooden item that has a hole or crack, you can use a thick wood filler to fill up the openings. However, you can’t just jam the filler inside the crack without any prep work.
1. First, smooth out the inside surface of the crack using sandpaper and vacuum all the sawdust afterwards.
2. Then, push the wood filler in using a putty knife. Use the knife to smooth out the top.
3. Let the filler dry and then sand the area to get an even surface.
Fix Spots on Furniture and Flooring
Combine thin and thick wood filler products to fix spots on the surfaces of your wooden furniture, except on load-bearing parts like the legs of tables or chairs that will require a stronger compound, such as a wood hardener to reinforce the wood and ensure a solid base.
1. For spots on wooden floors, wood filler products with thinner consistency are normally used.
2. Spread the filler evenly.
3. Leave it to dry completely before staining.
Even Out Wood Grain
Wood filler products are also used as wood grain fillers. If you’re starting a wood project, one of the first things to do prior to painting or staining the wood for the first time is to smooth out the wood grain.
Certain woods like oak, walnut, and mahogany have large pores that absorb too much stain, so applying a coat of wood filler onto the surface will make it nice and smooth to be painted or stained.
1. Use a large trowel or putty knife to apply a thin coat of wood filler onto the surface of the wood you’ll be working on.
2. Allow the filler to dry thoroughly before sanding down the surface to smooth it.
3. Afterwards, the wood will be ready for you to paint or stain.
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Tags: Wood Filler Products
