
- Sand and clean the wood surface in need of repair. Start by preparing the surface to which you are going to apply wood filler. ...
- Apply the wood filler using a putty knife. Start at the edge of the damaged area, pressing the wood filler into the depression. ...
- Allow the wood filler to dry completely. Check the packaging for manufacturer recommendations on how how much time is needed for the wood filler to dry. ...
- Sand the filled area so that its height is flush with the surrounding wood. Once dry, work with a light hand to sand the area smooth. ...
- C omplete the project by applying your choice of finish.
How to use wood filler properly?
Using Wood Filler Properly
- Equipment Needed to Use Wood Filler. The equipment needed to use wood filler can be found at most hardware and lumber stores, and can likely be found at major retailers ...
- Step One: Prepare Your Surface. ...
- Step Two: Sand Rough Edges. ...
- Step Three: Apply the Wood Filler. ...
- Step Four: Wait for the Filler to Dry. ...
- Step Five: Finishing. ...
What is the best furniture repair kit?
- BEST OVERALL: FORTIVO Leather and Vinyl Repair Kit
- BEST BUDGET: Numola Leather Repair Patch Kit
- BEST FOR STAINS: Leather Hero Color Restorer Complete Repair Kit
- BEST FOR PET SCRATCHES: MastaPlasta Self-Adhesive Patch For Leather Repair
- BEST FOR COLOR RESTORATION: BlendItOn Leather Max Complete Leather Refinish
What is the appropriate wood glue for outdoor wood furniture?
- BEST OVERALL: Gorilla 6206005 Wood Glue
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max
- BEST POLYURETHANE: Franklin 2303 Titebond Polyurethane Glue
- BEST CA GLUE: Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin, Premium Super Glue
- BEST HIDE GLUE: Titebond Leather Glue
How to refinish wood furniture with lacquer?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Applying Additional Lacquer Coats Download Article
- Sand the surface lightly again, with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe with a tack cloth.
- Apply a second coat of lacquer. Let it cure.
- Sand and wipe the surface. Apply a third coat of lacquer and let it cure for 48 hours. ...
- Finish by buffing the surface of the furniture with No 0000 steel wool. Wipe with a tack cloth, and then apply paste wax to the surface.

How do you use wood filler on furniture?
InstructionsMix the Wood Filler. To apply wood filler, first mix it up in its container with a putty knife (wood filler can separate after it sits for a while). ... Apply Wood Filler. ... Smooth With a Finger. ... Sand the Wood Filler Smooth. ... Wipe With a Tack Cloth. ... Finish the Wood.
How do you fill in damaged wood furniture?
1:426:24How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake some of the wood filler out of the container with a putty knife. Then spread it over your holeMoreTake some of the wood filler out of the container with a putty knife. Then spread it over your hole or scratch leaving a lot of excess on the surface. You want to spread.
How do you use wood filler on damaged wood?
STEP 1: Sand and clean the wood surface in need of repair. ... STEP 2: Use a preconditioner on the damaged area to prevent color discoloration. ... STEP 3: Apply the wood filler using a putty knife. ... STEP 4: Allow the wood filler to dry completely.More items...•
How do you use wood filler before painting furniture?
When preparing wood for painting and applying wood filler, here are the steps you should follow:Sand and clean the wood surface.Apply the wood filler.Let the wood filler dry.Sand the filled area to create an even surface.Paint the entire surface.
How do you fill gaps in old furniture?
0:354:13How to Choose and Use Wood Filler | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use a water-based wood filler right here just fill the hole. But you always want to overfillMoreYou can use a water-based wood filler right here just fill the hole. But you always want to overfill. The hole. So it it'll shrink.
How do you repair chipped wood furniture?
6:5511:02How to Fix Chipped Wood Corners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you get it all lined up just hold the hot glue mold in that position for a couple of minutesMoreOnce you get it all lined up just hold the hot glue mold in that position for a couple of minutes until the bondo really starts hardening.
What's the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
The key difference between wood filler and wood putty is that wood filler hardens once dried (so it can be sanded smooth) and wood putty does not. Wood Filler can be used on interior and exterior applications (at least the products I mentioned above), whereas wood putty can be used on interior projects only.
How big of a gap can wood filler fill?
However, it does have its limits with how much it can cover. Anything more than 3/8-inch isn't advisable. Aside from that, you can sand, paint, and wood stain putty after it hardens.
Does wood filler crack?
Since it hardens and does not remain flexible, wood filler is an option for repairing damaged interior walls but not a good choice for exterior repairs. Filler can crack as it shrinks and expands in response to significant temperature changes.
Can you paint over wood filler?
0:212:08Best wood filler! For painted surfaces.. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd. I use it all the time whenever. I know I'm going to be having a painted finish. So just mix theMoreAnd. I use it all the time whenever. I know I'm going to be having a painted finish. So just mix the two parts together you don't need to add much of the hardener just a little dab.
Should I sand before wood filler?
Sand down the area until it is smooth and even with the wood. Use an orbital sander or standard sandpaper to sand down the area. Sand until the filler is evened out and it is level with the surrounding wood. Wipe it down to remove dust before painting or staining.
Why is wood filler showing through paint?
Different fillers have varying levels of absorbtion as does the original surface of the wall. That means when you paint over it the paint behaves in a different way on each surface. Ideally when you use filler you need to prime it with a watered down solution of your top coat.
What's the difference between wood filler and wood putty?
The key difference between wood filler and wood putty is that wood filler hardens once dried (so it can be sanded smooth) and wood putty does not. Wood Filler can be used on interior and exterior applications (at least the products I mentioned above), whereas wood putty can be used on interior projects only.
What is wood filler?
Wood filler is made up of a hardening resin solution that contains a suspension of wood byproducts. The formula allows it to take a soft and pliable form that's relatively easy to apply.
How do you fix missing wood chunks?
1:5512:47How To Repair Missing Pieces On Furniture | Ashleigh LaurenYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake all the hardware off and just remove any other pieces of that particle board that's coming offMoreTake all the hardware off and just remove any other pieces of that particle board that's coming off I'm just gonna start to peel those off. So that we can start to make those. Repairs.
How do you restore wood furniture without stripping it?
How to restore wood furniture without sanding and strippingRemove any hardware. ... Wipe on mineral spirits. ... Clean the surface. ... Fix the white rings. ... Fill small cracks and imperfections. ... Try to fix the dents. ... Restore the colour with gel stain. ... Renew the lustre with a wipe-on finish.
What is wood filler?
That’s where wood filler comes into play. Wood filler is a soft, putty-like material that’s used to fill areas where the wood is damaged. Once exposed to air, the putty dries to a solid form that can be sanded smooth to blend in with the wood surface and then painted. Elmer’s Wood Filler happens to be the brand I choose to repair furniture.
What is the second use of wood filler?
The second use for wood filler is to fill large gaps or holes in the wood.
How to fix a broken veneer?
The first type is broken or missing veneer. First, remove any veneer that’s already peeling away. Apply carpenter’s wood glue under the edges of the veneer and let dry overnight to prevent any additional veneer from peeling away. Then using a flat putty knife, spread the soft Elmers Wood Filler putty over the damaged area.
How to extend the life of a tub of soft putty?
To extend the the life of an opened tub of the soft putty, store it in a plastic ziplock bag and then place that sealed bag in a sealed plastic container. This wood filler is strictly for painting and priming. It will not accept stain well enough to blend in with the real wood.
What to do with damaged molding?
The easier solution is to re-build the damaged molding with wood filler.
Can I use wood filler to repair furniture?
Using wood filler to repair furniture that’s damaged is easy and effective. It’s also something that should be done prior to ever painting a piece of wood furniture. Today I’d like to show you how to use wood filler to repair furniture and make it like new again.
Can you paint older furniture?
Painting older pieces of furniture is much more than a can of paint and a paint brush . Many often require some repair work. When I first began painting furniture, I would experiment on just about any piece. This often meant working on pieces that had dents, broken legs, or damaged moldings.
What is wood filler?
Wood filler is made of a binding agent and a filling substance . It can be used for any deep scratch, hole or gauge where the height of the wood in that area is no longer level with the rest of the surface. The filling substance is usually a type of wood shavings or even tiny particles of plastic.
What is the best product to repair wood furniture?
There are several different products to use to repair wood or laminate furniture. Some of my favorite products for fixing wood furniture are caulk, wood filler and wood repair epoxy. However, I also want to share with you how to fix basic finish damage without refinishing.
What kind of caulk should I use for furniture?
For wood furniture, I like to use Dap Alex Plus Acrylic Latex Caulk because it is waterproof but also dries pretty fast. You can clean it up with baby wipes easily and it is also paintable. I have used it time and time again on furniture products and have always been pleased with my results.
How to fix a veneer table top?
DAP Plastic Latex-Based Wood Filler is also the best way to fix damaged veneer on furniture. Before you start adding wood filler, be sure to use your putty knife to check to see if any of the veneer is loose. If it is, break this piece off. Now, fill the remaining “hole” with wood filler as I show you above. If most of the veneer on the tabletop is coming up, then, loosen it with your putty knife and pull up all of the veneer. Be sure to wear safety glasses. Once all the veneer is removed, sand the top and you have a whole new tabletop to refinish.
How to repair scratches on wood furniture?
LET ME SHOW YOU: 1 How to fix major surface damage to wood furniture 2 The easy way to remove water rings and restore faded wood 3 How to touch up scratches to your furniture piece 4 A fool-proof way to replace large chunks of furniture so it looks like new
How to get scratches out of wood furniture?
Pick the stain color that is slightly darker than the stain on your furniture piece. Mark over the scratches and use a paper towel to remove any excess on either side of the scratch. Let the stain from the marker dry for at least 20 minutes. If you have a deep scratch or gouge, use the wood filler I mention below.
How to level a hole in furniture?
STEP 1: Sand the Hole or Deep Gouge in Furniture. Sometimes a hole will have raised edges and you want those to be level with the rest of the furniture piece, so be sure to sand the hole before you get started. I like to use my sander with a rougher (60 grit) sanding pad.
What is wood filler?
Wood filler is a soft, putty-like material that’s used to fill holes in wood. Once exposed to air, the putty dries to a solid form that can be sanded smooth to blend in with the wood surface and then painted. Over time, it resists shrinking and cracking. Elmer’s Wood Filler happens to be the brand I choose to repair furniture.
What is the second use for wood filler?
The second use for wood filler is to fill large holes.
How to repair damaged molding?
This is where you need to channel your inner pottery skills. Apply the wood filler and very gently shape it. Allow to dry overnight, sand, and then apply a second coat if needed.
How to repair a broken veneer?
The first is broken or missing veneer. Using a flat putty knife, spread the putty over the damaged area.
What happens when you prime a piece of wood?
Once the first coat of primer is painted on a piece of wood furniture, you will see small dents and dings in the wood that weren’t as visible prior. I always inspect a piece after it’s primed and fill the small holes.
How to store soft putty after opening?
Once the tub is opened, it does not seal air-tight and will harden; so you should store it in a plastic ziplock bag to dramatically extend the life of the soft putty. If make it last even longer, double-bag it or store it in a sealed plastic container.
Can you tell if wood filler is sanded?
As you can see, if the wood filler is sanded to a smooth finish, once the paint is applied, you cannot even tell where the wood was patched.
How long does it take for wood filler to dry?
It will be hard to the touch when it is dry. It may take up to 8 hours on a large or deep area, though it can dry in under half an hour. Check the packaging for wood filler for specific drying times.
How to smooth out a filler?
Smooth the filler out with a putty knife. Go over the filler with a putty knife to make a smooth area. Wipe off the knife and go over the area again if the first pass didn't get it as smooth as you'd like. Keep in mind you'll be sanding it later, so it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect.
How to fill a hole in a drywall wall?
1. Squeeze the filler into the hole. Use the tube to squeeze the filler into the area, making sure to fill in the deepest area by pressing the end down into it. Start at one end and gradually work your way to the other end. If you don't have a tube, use a putty knife to apply it.
How to get filler to stick?
Remove any debris. If you leave any loose debris or sawdust behind , the filler won't stick as well. Wipe it down with a damp tack cloth and then let it dry thoroughly. You can also use a shop vac if you have one.
How much do you need to overfill a sandbox?
You only need to overfill it a little bit, maybe 5%.
How to fix small holes in wood?
Start by prepping the area, then move on to filling it with the wood filler.
What to do if you don't have a tube?
If you don't have a tube, use a putty knife to apply it .
When to let wood filler dry?
After the wood filler is spread out all over the area that is damaged, it ’s time to let it dry .
How long does it take to mix wood filler?
You have about 5-10 minutes to work with the wood filler, depending on how much hardener to the base you mixed together.
How to harden Bondo golf balls?
Knead the hardening agent (included when you buy Bondo) and squirt a little bit onto the Bondo base . **Use about a 3-4″ long squeeze of hardener for a golf ball size of the base.
What is the best stain for Bondo wood?
Use a gel stain ( General Finishes Java Gel Stain is my favorite!) to stain the Bondo wood filler and the rest of the wood.
How long does it take for bondo wood filler to harden?
Mix the Bondo base and the included hardener together to make a wood filler that will start to harden within 5-10 minutes.
How to sand Bondo wood filler?
Using 220 grit sandpaper, sand the Bondo wood filler down flush with the rest of the wood around it .
What happens if you chip a veneer?
Typically if some of it is chipped, there is more loose veneer right around the chipped-off veneer.
