By Manasa Reddigari and Tom ScalisiUpdated Jan 4, 2024 12:30 PM
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Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Cracks, divots, holes, or rot can crop up on wooden surfaces due to ordinary wear and tear and accidents, or during DIY projects. Fortunately, wood fillers can handle all sorts of repairs, and we tested some of the top wood fillers in several real scenarios to see how well they hid blemishes in wood grain or filled seams and gaps.
Wood fillers come in both water-based and solvent-based formulas. With the wide variety of wood fillers available—each having a unique formulation, usage scenario, and application technique—it can be tricky to pinpoint the right one to use. This guide will explain these practical putties and offer our hands-on testing results to help shoppers know how to choose the best wood filler for their needs.
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
We consulted with Jonathan Warshaw, a woodworking expert who is the founder and owner of SimpleWoodworker, an educational woodworking site. Warshaw says of wood fillers that “it’s crucial to look for one that is durable, easy to sand, and that can be painted or stained to match the surrounding wood.” He goes on to say that “the versatility of the filler for both interior and exterior projects, as well as its drying time, are also important factors to consider.”
As we tested, we got pretty scientific with this wood filler comparison. First, we found one piece of pine that was large enough to divide into separate sections for the different wood fillers. Then we divided each section into four segments, each with its own scenario:
Once each section was properly damaged, we set forth with the wood fillers to fill them in. When they were dry, we sanded the fillers to see how well they cured the damage. The result gave us all the information necessary to suggest the best wood fillers based on their strengths and weaknesses.
Each of the following wood fillers was hands-on tested to ensure that our picks were up to snuff. We also organized these options based on features such as formula or intended use.
When it comes to versatile wood fillers, Minwax Stainable Wood Filler sits at the top of the heap. This water-based wax features a compound made with real wood fibers, leaving behind a strong, durable patch once dry. It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor wood filling, and it can take paint or stain.
During testing, the Minwax Stainable Wood Filler proved to be a joy to work with. Its relatively dry consistency leads to almost no shrinking at all once dry. Also, because of its consistency, we were able to roll small wads of it like putty to fill large holes. Despite its grainy consistency, it was easy to spread with a putty knife and sanded to a smooth texture. The only downside we could find is that the large fibers and grain could be too large to seal off small pores.
Get the Minwax wood filler at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Menards.
Don’t want to lug around a pound of wood filler for a small-scale indoor or outdoor project? This 3.25-ounce, 7-inch tube of water-based stainable wood filler fits right in a pocket or tool box. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects, this wood filler also emits zero odor. Once dry, it can accept paint or stain.
During testing, we found the tube of Elmer’s stainable wood filler to have separated into a soupy liquid and a very stiff putty. After mixing (which was difficult to achieve in the tube), it reached a much better consistency and was easy to spread. The holes filled nicely, and despite its wetter consistency, it didn’t shrink much while drying.
Get the Elmer’s E887Q wood filler at Amazon.
Novice DIYers who aren’t sure how to tell whether wood filler is ready for sanding will want to consider Elmer’s Carpenter’s Color Change Wood Filler. This interior-only, no-mix, water-based product boasts a patented formula that goes on purple and then turns to a natural color when it’s dry and ready for sanding, staining, and painting. When applied to small repaired areas, the product’s color turns in as little as 15 minutes, and there’s no shrinking or cracking. When applied to deeper voids, the product dries in 2 to 8 hours.
Truth be told, we thought this product was a bit of a gimmick, so we didn’t have high hopes. In reality, it dried quickly without shrinking and sanded to one of the best finishes in the test. It was a little thick during application, but it packed well into the hole in the wood and sanded smoothly. This is definitely the real deal. The only downsides are that it’s a little thick (maybe because of the color additive), and it’s for indoor-only use.
Get the Elmer’s E913 wood filler at Amazon or Walmart.
For those looking for a premium product, the FamoWood wood filler is a worthy option. It has the versatility and viscosity to handle voids of different sizes, so one tub can handle almost any type of project. The formula is a combination of latex and real wood fiber, and it’s suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Also, the filler cures in 15 minutes to a harder-than-wood surface. Once dry, it can be sanded, planed, or sawed. It can also be stained or painted.
Here’s the deal: This wood filler is thick. It’s so thick, in fact, that it settled to the lid of the tub and was extremely frustrating to open. However, once we got the tub open, FamoWood did nothing but wow us. Yes, it’s thick, but it was the easiest and smoothest to spread. It also rolls into small wads for plugging holes. The finish left behind was almost entirely shrink-free, and it filled the pores of the test piece entirely.
Get the FamoWood wood filler at Amazon or Walmart.
Some wood filler applications don’t require a thick, opaque layer of product. Those who prefer a simple, light, see-through coat that simply seals pores will want to check out Aqua Coat Clear Wood Grain Filler. This wood filler has a thick, milky texture that dries to a clear finish, and since it’s eco-friendly and water-based, cleanup is a breeze.
Admittedly, there are few applications for a wood filler product that doesn’t actually make holes and gouges disappear. However, when it comes to sealing pores, we found Aqua Coat to do an outstanding job. It applied easily and created a smooth, glass-like finish over the wood. Since it’s water-based and eco-friendly, it’s a better choice than polyurethane (for some applications). The downside is that it doesn’t fill holes particularly well, and it does shrink quite a bit. But keep in mind that this product is for sealing pores, not filling holes.
Get the Aqua Coat wood filler at Amazon or Walmart.
There are nicks and scrapes, and then there are large holes left from screws, lag bolts, and even carpenter bees. For those big, gaping holes, Goodfilla Water-Based Wood Filler might be the product to choose. This wood filler has a clay-like consistency that doesn’t shrink when dry, and it’s stainable and paintable.
As it came out of the tub, we noticed that Goodfilla didn’t spread easily, so it’s not exceptional for filling scrapes or small spots. We were able to dilute it with a bit of warm water to create a more spreadable consistency, although the clay-like consistency made it very easy to wad into small balls and fill large holes. It’s also odor-free, doesn’t shrink at all, and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Get the Goodfilla wood filler at Amazon or Tractor Supply Co. (walnut color only).
Small nicks and chips in antique furniture don’t always respond well to traditional wood fillers, making Coconix an attractive option. This repair kit comes with everything necessary to match nearly any color and apply the water-based filler for a top-notch furniture repair. This product is water-based and is only suitable for repairing indoor furniture.
This might not be a traditional wood filler, but there is a lot to like about this kit. First, using the included color guide as a reference, we were able to perfectly match the pine test piece. It doesn’t fill large voids or holes exceptionally well by itself, but it comes with a wood putty that does the trick before coloring over it. The mixing and application were simple as it comes with several base colors, a mixing cup, a spatula, and an application brush. We noticed that this product takes seemingly forever to dry completely (at least a day), and it will shrink; however, it might be the best way to match colors in chipped furniture and millwork.
Get the Coconix repair kit at Amazon.
Also Consider8 Elmer’s Probond Wood Filler Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Product Specs Type: Water-basedIndoor or exterior: BothStainable: Yes ProsWetter consistency makes it easy to apply on furniture, molding, or baseboardsSeals pores well despite the grainy texture upon applicationStrong, durable formula suitable for exterior use provides long-term peace of mind ConsShrinks quite a bit after application, which is not ideal for some uses Those looking for professional results at a reasonable price would do well to consider Elmer’s ProBond wood filler. This tub of water-based wood filler features ceramic microsphere technology, which allows the dried wood filler to be tougher and more durable than most other wood fillers. Because it’s suitable for exterior applications (as well as interior), that strength could be a big benefit. Elmer’s ProBond was easy to apply, thanks to its slightly wet consistency. We felt that the finish it left behind was also very strong. Although the filler was slightly grainy, it seemed to fill the pores nicely on the test piece. However, this product did shrink quite a bit, most likely due to its high moisture content. Get the Elmer’s ProBond wood filler at Amazon (8 ounces) or Ace Hardware (32 ounces).
Those looking for professional results at a reasonable price would do well to consider Elmer’s ProBond wood filler. This tub of water-based wood filler features ceramic microsphere technology, which allows the dried wood filler to be tougher and more durable than most other wood fillers. Because it’s suitable for exterior applications (as well as interior), that strength could be a big benefit.
Elmer’s ProBond was easy to apply, thanks to its slightly wet consistency. We felt that the finish it left behind was also very strong. Although the filler was slightly grainy, it seemed to fill the pores nicely on the test piece. However, this product did shrink quite a bit, most likely due to its high moisture content.
Get the Elmer’s ProBond wood filler at Amazon (8 ounces) or Ace Hardware (32 ounces).
Wood fillers come in either water- or solvent-based formulas. Either can be used to fill wood voids or pores, but they have several differences.
Now that you have read about some of the best products on the market, here are some important features to consider when selecting the best option for a given project or intended use.
Wood fillers typically handle one or more specific tasks. Some are suitable for filling voids such as divots, holes, or gouges in all wood species. Others are for filling pores in open-grain woods with large pores visible to the naked eye, such as oak or elm, to smooth their naturally coarse texture. (As the filler inundates the pores, it levels any unevenness to achieve a finish particularly desirable on furniture.) The most versatile fillers can fill either voids or pores.
Wood fillers can have thick (putty-like) or thin (pancake batter–like) consistencies. Thicker fillers are primarily for filling voids, while thinner fillers mainly fill pores in open-grain woods. It’s important to choose the right consistency for your project, as thicker fillers contain large particles that don’t readily fit into the pores of open-grain woods, and thinner fillers generally lack the body to adequately fill voids. (Tip: In a pinch, some thicker fillers can be thinned with water to fill pores.)
The most common fillers come in white or wood-inspired shades; clear versions for filling pores are also available. If you don’t plan to ultimately stain or paint the piece, opt for a filler in a shade that either closely matches or contrasts with the original wood color, depending on whether you want to play down or play up the filler color. If you do intend to coat the cured filler with stain or paint, be sure to pick a stainable or paintable product, either in white or in a shade that’s lighter than the stain or paint you’ll use.
Fillers are generally for “interior-only” or “interior/exterior” use. This serves as an indication of how well the filler will hold up in the stated environment during application, while wet, and after it has dried.
Wood fillers are packaged in tubs, squeeze tubes, and sticks. Those in tubs are either no-mix and can be applied with a putty knife or spreader, while two-part fillers must be mixed before application. For tube fillers, you need only squeeze out a scant amount to fill voids or pores, while with stick fillers, simply rip off a small chunk and apply by hand. Tubs, which hold the most product, tend to be most economical and are suited to larger projects, while sticks are the least cost-effective and best used to repair scratches and cracks.
Even with all that background on the best wood fillers, you might have a few additional questions. This section aims to fill you in on the most frequently asked questions about the best wood fillers. Be sure to check for an answer to your question listed below.
Wood filler is designed to be stained or painted, and it goes on before the finishing coats. Wood putty is primarily for after finishing, and it comes in predetermined colors. Be advised that wood filler is designed to be durable enough for exterior use, while wood putty is suitable for indoor projects.
It depends on the product, but some wood fillers are suitable for use both indoors and out. Typically, epoxy-based wood filler is durable enough for outdoor applications. Just be sure that the surface is stained and sealed ahead of any inclement weather.
Almost all wood fillers are paintable; however, some are also suitable for staining. Be advised that some fillers may not work effectively with paint and may require a primer for an even, long-lasting look. Additionally, wood filler should be allowed to dry completely before any paint is applied (users will want to consider waiting up to 24 hours).
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Tom Scalisi is a full-time DIY and construction writer for many of the largest websites in the industry, including BobVila.com, This Old House, Family Handyman, and Forbes. He also owns and operates a pest control blog, RiddaBugs.com. He spent years working in the trades and industrial building maintenance and has had plenty of experience using wood fillers.
Additional research provided by Manasa Reddigari.
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