In this blog post, I will discuss 5 top-rated bestseller and commonly available fast-drying wood fillers which are affordable, reliable, and user-friendly.
Fast-drying wood filler, indoor and outdoor:
- J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair Epoxy Putty Stick
- PC Products 167779 PC-7 Two-Part Heavy Duty Multipurpose Epoxy Adhesive Paste
- Minwax Stainable wood filler
- Minwax 13611000 Wood Putty, 3.75 Ounce, Golden Oak:
- Dap Plastic wood filler
Contents
Different types of wood fillers:
1. Cellulose-based or water-based wood filler:
It is sold in either a powdered form or paste form. It is one of the most affordable and cost-effective wood fillers, easily available in hardware stores and online. It is very user friendly and good for beginners. It has a long shelf life. The wood surface after its application is easily paintable and stainable. The wood surface is also reasonably tough after its application.
A water-based wood filler has gypsum in it. Because it is made out of natural wood fibres, it has minimum odour. It cannot emit any volatile organic compound.
A water-based wood filler is not waterproof and it is not weatherproof so it is better suitable for indoor use. A cellulose-based or water-based wood filler can dry within only 15 minutes. Its thickness can be manipulated where a thin layer is needed. If you intend to remove the cellulose-based or water-based wood filler from your furniture, you can do it within a couple of minutes by simply using some soapy water alone.
2. Epoxy-based or solvent-based wood filler:
This filler is sold in two different parts that need to be mixed very well before application. Epoxy-based wood filler can also be used as an alternative of wood glue to paste two different surfaces on to each other. But it is not ready to use like other wood fillers so it will take a few more minutes in preparation.
Epoxy-based wood fillers are waterproof and weatherproof so they are ideal for outdoor use. It emits high levels of volatile organic content and is characterized by a strong unpleasant smell. This wood filler takes longer to dry as opposed to its water-based counterparts as you might have to wait for up to an hour.
Removing this wood filler needs you to use turpentine or acetone. It is resistant to water, extreme heat, rot, cold and humidity.
3. Latex or vinyl or solvent-based wood filler:
This type of filler is the fastest drying wood filler. But it is not crack proof if you apply it in thick layers. This type of wood filler is very easy to mould and shape to flatten the surfaces that are not even. This wood filler is waterproof and weatherproof so it is ideal for outdoor use.
It comes in the ready-to-use form and is extremely user-friendly. It does not stain easily.
What is the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
Wood putty is made up of epoxy, fibreglass or Polyurethane. While wood fillers are made up of natural wood fibres or sawdust. Although both of them are used to fill the gaps or cracks in the wooden objects, they are different in texture and hardness.
Wood putty is waterproof, weatherproof, stain proof, crack-proof and ideal for outdoor use. Wood putty does not shrink and it is easily paintable. While a wood filler is infused with pigments to match a certain type of wood and is intended to be coated with a clear finish.
Some wood fillers are not flexible, and they can crack when the wood expands and contracts under the direct sunshine. Wood putty is for big holes. Because it hardens due to a chemical reaction and not as a result of its contact with air, you can put it into very deep holes, and it will be rock hard in just 10 minutes.
Wood putty is a very good adhesive, so if you have 2 pieces of wood that you would like to link together, this is a good choice. The wood filler is for shallow holes only, i.e., 1/4″ or less. Because it dries due to interaction with air, the more shallow the hole, the quicker it will dry.
Fast-drying wood fillers
1. J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair Epoxy Putty Stick
This product has 853 verified customer reviews on Amazon and 75% of them are 5 stars. This wood filler sets in 25 just minutes and cures in one hour. It has a strength of 900 PSI.
It can be drilled, nailed, screwed, taped, moulded, stained, filed, painted, shaped or sanded. It has the same density as wood and it will not rot, shrink, crack or pull away. It is hand mixable.
There are only 4 simple steps to use this stick:
- Step 1: Cut a piece out of it as much as you want
- Step 2: Knead it with the palms of your hands
- Step 3: Apply it to fill the hole created by insects or any other damage in the wood, and
- Step 4: Wait for it to cure in 60 minutes.
It comes in a resealable packet that can be used in different projects and remain usable over time. This product will fill exterior cracks – and hold well – as long as the wood is not underwater. Be sure the project is thoroughly dry – and the crack cleaned out before you begin.
2. PC Products 167779 PC-7 Two-Part Heavy Duty Multipurpose Epoxy Adhesive Paste
This product has 779 verified customer reviews on Amazon and 75% of them are 5 stars. This product is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It is a three in one product which can be used as a wood filler, wood sealant, and glue.
- It is a water-resistant, chemical resistant, oil resistant, fuel resistant, salt resistant, mild acid resistant, caustic resistant, detergent-resistant, and gasoline resistant paste.
- It has the capability to paste together two different surfaces such as fiberglass, wood, concrete, many metals, brick, glass, ceramic, and rubber. It features a work time of just one hour.
- It can seal oil, gas, and water tank leaks, as well as plumbing and masonry cracks. It Has a strength of 2150 PSI.
- It can fill holes, castings, and molds in the wooden floors, decks, planks, fences, cages, doors, windows, and furniture.
3. Minwax Stainable wood filler
This product has 683 verified customer reviews on Amazon and 68% of them are 5 stars. This is a really fast drying wood filler. It is great for both indoor and outdoor use.
It will never shrink or crack. It gives you an easily paintable and stainable surface. The surface is strong enough to hold nails and the screws tightly.
4. Minwax 13611000 Wood Putty, 3.75 Ounce, Golden Oak:
This product has 676 verified customer reviews on Amazon and 54% of them are 5 stars. This product is perfect for use on a bare wood surface as well as a finished wooden surface. You can also use it on a stained or painted wooden surface. You can use it to fill deep holes that you have drilled screws into or wood that was attacked by termites and made hollow. It is a non-hardening and permanent putty. Its color resembles that of the Golden oak and it looks really pleasant when used on your indoor furniture or outdoor stuff.
This putty is not water-soluble. It is fully waterproof and weatherproof. It works best when a coat of finish is applied after the putty is rubbed into cracks and gaps in wood flooring or planks. It is possible to use it when a coat of finish will not be applied, but, with no finish to protect it and hold it in, some amount of the putty will come out over time. It expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity so it will never crack or shrink when used outdoors under direct sunshine.
If you have a wooden floor indoors, and gaps in the floor bother you, just expect to periodically have to putty those cracks. This putty is very easy to use. Take a minute or two to fill cracks as they appear, or thoroughly putty all cracks before re-coating the floor with a wood finish. One of the drawbacks of this product is that it comes in a very small package and you will have to buy multiple packages for a large project.
5. Dap Plastic wood filler
This product has 307 verified customer reviews on Amazon and 55% of them are 5 stars. This is a two in one product, you can use it for filling cracks, gaps, and holes both in wood and plastic objects. It is available in different colors.
This wood filler will harden instantly at the exposure to air. Before the application of this wood filler, you must make sure that the surface is free from any kind of oil, fat or grease.
This wood filler is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use on planks, fences, doors, gates, windows, furniture, and decks. You can easily drill it, sand it, varnish it, lacquer it, plain it, slice it, paint it, or stain it.
Final remarks
To conclude this blog post I would say that, I have made sure that all of these products are available on Amazon. Their prices are reasonable and they are only a few clicks away from you.