What is the difference between wood putty and wood filler?

Quick Answers

Wood putty and wood filler are both used to fill holes and cracks in wood. The main differences are:

• Wood putty is designed for small holes and cracks, while wood filler works better for larger gaps.
• Wood putty dries fast and sands smooth, while wood filler takes longer to dry and requires more sanding.
• Wood putty provides a better color match, while wood filler is more noticeable.
• Wood putty can’t be stained, while most wood fillers accept stains.

In summary, wood putty is best for small, unnoticeable repairs, while wood filler handles bigger fixes but requires more work to blend with the surrounding wood. Consider which attributes are most important for your project.

What is Wood Putty?

Wood putty, also called plastic wood, is a fast-drying compound used to fill small imperfections in wood surfaces. It is designed to:

• Fill nail holes, cracks, gouges, and other small blemishes in finished wood
• Dry fast, usually within 30 minutes
• Sand smooth with minimal shrinkage
• Provide a color-matched repair to hide visible flaws

Wood putty consists of a thick paste made from various ingredients such as chalk, linseed oil, and talc. Many brands contain microfibers to help the putty blend with the wood grain. Wood putty is available in different wood tones to match common finishes like pine, oak, cherry, walnut, and mahogany.

Here are some typical uses for wood putty:

• Filling small nail or screw holes
• Repairing minor cracks and chips in wood trim, furniture, cabinets, and other finished wood surfaces
• Smoothing imperfections prior to painting or staining
• Filling knot holes and defects in finished lumber

Wood putty works well for hiding small blemishes because it dries hard and sands flush with the surrounding wood. The colorants help it blend with the wood, making repairs practically invisible. It’s quick and easy to apply right from the container for minor touch-ups.

Advantages of Wood Putty

• Dries fast – Typically dries in about 30 minutes so repairs can be sanded and finished in the same day.
• Sands smooth – Sands flush with wood with minimal shrinkage.
• Good color match – Available in a range of wood tones to disguise repairs.
• Works for small repairs – Ideal filling small holes, cracks, gouges and defects.
• Simple to apply – Goes on straight from the container; no mixing required.
• Won’t rot – Putty is moisture resistant once cured.

Limitations of Wood Putty

• Not for large repairs – Only practical for small holes less than 1 inch wide.
• Can’t be stained – The colored putty won’t absorb stains.
• Surface repairs only – Not meant for repairs below the wood surface.
• Weak bond – Doesn’t adhere as strongly as wood filler.
• Can shrink over time – May eventually crack or loosen from wood.
• Not for outdoors – Lacks water resistance for exterior repairs.

Wood putty works great for quick, inconspicuous repairs of surface blemishes, but isn’t the right choice for large fills, deep repairs, or outdoor use. Make sure to observe the recommended guidelines for best results.

What is Wood Filler?

Wood filler, also called spackling compound, is designed to fill larger holes, gouges, cracks, and other imperfections in wood. Its main advantages are:

• Fills gaps up to 1 inch wide
• Bonds strongly and stays firmly in place
• Sands to a smooth finish but requires more sanding than wood putty
• Accepts stains, paints, waxes, and other finishes

Wood filler is essentially a thick paste made from vinyl or latex resins, and binders like talc or chalk. Some varieties contain wood fibers or sawdust to provide extra bulk. Wood filler comes in basic off-white for staining or painting. There are also some wood-toned fillers for simple color-matched repairs.

Common uses for wood filler include:

• Filling nail holes, gouges, worm holes, and larger defects prior to finishing
• Patching damaged wood molding, cabinets, furnishings, etc.
• Repairing cracked or split wood
• Filling gaps where wood boards meet

Because it can be stained, wood filler allows for near-invisible repairs on unfinished wood projects. It also takes paints and clear finishes well. Wood filler bonds tenaciously to the wood surface and sets hard to create a permanent repair.

Advantages of Wood Filler

• Fills bigger holes and gaps – Works well for repairs up to 1 inch wide.
• Bonds strongly – Forms a permanent repair that won’t easily crack or fall out.
• Takes stains and paint – Filler accepts most wood finishing products.
• Ideal for unfinished wood – Can be stained to match surrounding wood closely.
• Withstands weather – Water-resistant for interior and exterior repairs.
• Cheap and accessible – Widely available at hardware stores.

Limitations of Wood Filler

• Longer drying time – Typically takes hours to cure fully.
• Requires extensive sanding – Doesn’t sand as smoothly as wood putty.
• Can shrink and crack over time – Filler may eventually loosen if not sanded and finished properly.
• Limited color selection – Only available in basic wood tones and white.
• Weakens with moisture – Water can deteriorate filler over time.
• Not for small repairs – Too difficult to sand smooth in small holes.

Wood filler works well for larger repairs where strength and an inconspicuous finish are needed. But it requires proper sanding, priming, and finishing for best results. Not suitable for quick minor repairs.

Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler Comparison

Now that we’ve covered wood putty and wood filler separately, here’s a direct side-by-side comparison of their major differences:

Drying Time

Wood putty dries quickly, usually within 30 minutes up to an hour. This allows repairs to be sanded and finished on the same day. It’s great for time-sensitive projects.

Wood filler takes several hours to fully cure. Most types need 6-8 hours before sanding. This makes wood filler less convenient for quick repairs.

Hole Size Capabilities

Wood putty only works for small holes, nail holes, and surface chips less than 1 inch wide. It cannot adequately fill and bond in larger gaps.

Wood filler can fill holes, gouges, and cracks up to about 1 inch wide. It provides the bonding strength needed for larger repairs.

Sanding Properties

Wood putty sands very smoothly with little shrinkage. Only light sanding is needed to level off the filler flush with the surrounding wood.

Wood filler requires extensive sanding to feather out the edges of the repair. It tends to dry with a shrunken, uneven texture that must be sanded down.

Stainability

Wood putty is already colored to match various wood tones. The putty does not accept stains or absorb pigment well.

Wood filler is designed to be stained for close color matching on unfinished wood. Most types readily accept stains, as well as paints, glazes, and other coloring agents.

Color Matching

Wood putty provides very good color-matching straight from the container. The tinted putty closely approximates the color of stained woods like oak, pine, cherry, etc.

Wood filler is only available in natural white and basic wood tones. Achieving an exact color match requires skillfully staining the filler to blend with the surrounding wood.

Bonding Strength

Wood putty bonds adequately for small repairs, but lacks the strength of wood filler for large gaps and fills. The putty can eventually crack or loosen over time.

Wood filler forms a tenacious bond with the wood surface to create permanent, long-lasting repairs. The filler won’t easily crack or fall out of the repair area.

Weather Resistance

Wood putty can deteriorate when exposed to moisture and does not hold up outdoors. It should only be used for indoor repairs.

Wood filler contains water-resistant resins and is formulated to withstand weather. It can be used for both interior and exterior wood repairs.

Ease of Use

Wood putty is extremely simple to use right out of the tub. Just press it into holes and gaps with a putty knife. No mixing or prep needed.

Wood filler takes a little more effort to prepare and apply. The filler typically requires stirring or kneading, and may need thinning. More skill is needed applying it smoothly.

Cost

Wood putty is slightly more expensive ounce-for-ounce than basic wood filler. But very little is needed for minor repairs.

Wood filler is widely available in large tubs for only a few dollars. The greater amount needed for big repairs offsets the lower cost.

How to Choose Between Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler

Deciding whether to use wood putty or wood filler depends mainly on the details of your specific repair project:

For small holes and surface defects:

• Nail holes
• Pinholes
• Knot holes
• Minor scratches and gouges

Use wood putty for its quick dry time, smooth sanding, and color-matched ability to conceal small flaws.

For large gaps and heavy damage:

• Large holes wider than 1 inch
• Split or cracked wood
• Rotted wood damage
• Missing wood chunks and gouges

Use wood filler for its superior bonding strength and ability to be stained and finished smoothly.

For unfinished wood:

• New woodworking and carpentry projects
• Unstained furniture, trim, cabinets, etc.

Use wood filler so repairs can be stained to match surrounding wood precisely.

For finished wood:

• Factory finished furniture and molding
• Pre-stained wood surfaces

Use color-matched wood putty for instant invisible repairs.

For outdoor wood repairs:

• Decks
• Fences
• Siding
• Outdoor furniture

Use exterior wood filler formulated to resist moisture damage.

Tips for Using Wood Putty and Wood Filler

Follow these best practices to ensure the best results from your wood putty and filler repairs:

For wood putty:

• Select a putty color that matches your wood closely.
• Work putty into holes thoroughly pressing into edges.
• Let dry completely before sanding smooth.
• Apply finish coat within several days to avoid shrinkage.

For wood filler:

• Clean holes thoroughly before applying filler.
• Overfill holes slightly because filler shrinks as it dries.
• Allow plenty of cure time before sanding.
• Thin filler for easier application filling large gaps.
• Prime and paint repairs for best results on finished wood.

Both putty and filler require proper sanding to achieve an invisible repair. Be sure to feather out the edges so the transition is subtle, not abrupt. With careful application and finishing, you can achieve flawless repairs with either product.

Conclusion

Wood putty and wood filler each have their ideal uses, benefits, and limitations:

• Wood putty excels at quickly filling small defects in finished wood with its easy application and matching colors.
• Wood filler is better suited for bigger repairs where bonding strength and stainability are needed.

Knowing when to use which product comes down to assessing the repair job. Small holes and surface flaws? Reach for the wood putty. Large gaps, cracks, and unfinished wood? Wood filler is the go-to choice. With the right product and method, you can fix unsightly wood blemishes to make them practically disappear.