What Is And How To Use The Epoxy Wood FillerĀ
If youāve got a hole in your door or a piece of furniture with some rotting wood, youād want to go ahead and cover those up with an epoxy wood filler. While you could hire someone to help you with fixing these items, itās also something thatās not difficult to do on your own. Just pick up some tools, follow the instructions and youāre good to go. Not only will it help with saving a good amount of money, but youāll also feel like a talented craftsman after youāve done the repairs.
Below, weāll provide you with everything you need to know about epoxy wood fillers. Weāll provide a brief overview of what an epoxy wood filler is, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide you with detailed reviews of six of the best epoxy wood fillers that weāve found.
What is an Epoxy Wood Filler?
Itās essentially a filler thatās used to fill any unsightly dents, scratches or cracks. Itās also one of the rare fillers out there thatās a reliable adhesive. As it forms a strong bond and comes with special structural characteristics, itās a great product to use to repair damaged wood. Additionally, as thereās no water or solvent to evaporate, epoxy also does not shrink. You can also sand your epoxy wood filler and paint over it after youāre done.
Epoxy wood fillers are often used to repair and seal any cracks and holes in damaged wood components and you can apply it with a spatula or even syringes or brushes. Some epoxy wood fillers are also mixed with wood flour to help with increasing its strength.
FAQ
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions that weāve received about epoxy wood fillers.
Will epoxy stick to wood filler?
It depends on what type of epoxy wood filler youāve purchased. Generally speaking however, epoxy wood fillers are a reliable adhesive so they will stick. Epoxy resin in particular sticks to nearly all surfaces and the thinner the resin, the more likely itāll penetrate the pores of the wood and bind to it.
What is epoxy filler used for?
Theyāre great if youāre looking for a filler that has more structural integrity ā perhaps for a widening crack or a rotting void. They come in either a tube or a can and can be either clear or colored ā depending on your needs. When using an epoxy filler, itās important that you apply it with care.
How Do You Fill Holes in Wood with Epoxy?
There are a couple of steps that youād need to take to fill holes in the wood with epoxy.
- If youāre filling rotting wood, youād need to find and stop the cause of the rot. If youāre not sure whatās causing the rot or how to repair it, itās best to call a professional for some help. If thereās moisture within the rot, ensure that your wood has about a week to dry properly as trapped moisture can cause additional rot and even prevent the epoxy from bonding properly.
- Then, youād want to probe the area surrounding the damaged woo to determine the extent of the rot. Soft wood should either be removed or reinforced with epoxy consolidant.
- Once youāve determined the cause, proceed to remove all decayed wood before applying the liquid wood epoxy consolidant according to the manufacturerās instructions. Youāll want to work it into the wood with a small brush until the entire wood is saturated. Then, go ahead and let it dry for at least a week before starting the next step.
- Before applying the epoxy, youād need to go ahead and mix it. As epoxy can harden ā especially in warmer weather, youād want to work with it quickly. Try and keep your epoxy materials as cool as possible when youāre working with it, and you can speed up hardening with a hairdryer or spotlight.
- Then, go ahead and fill the wood cavity with the epoxy wood filler. Start by pressing the putty into the area with a putty knife. Make sure that youāre pressing hard so all voids are filled and thereās a good bond.
- After that, youāll want to make sure that youāre wearing chemical-resistant rubber gloves to shape the epoxy with your fingers and overfill the repair. You donāt need to get the shape perfect, just make sure that youāve got enough material leftover to match the surrounding profiles.
- With that, youāre good to go when it comes to filling the hole with epoxy. If itās warm, youāll be able to shape it in about three to four hours. If not, youāll need the patch to harden overnight. Once thatās done, you can go ahead and sand the epoxy or proceed to paint over it.
Tips for Using Epoxy Wood Filler
If youāre new to using an epoxy wood filler, here are some tips to get you started:
- Epoxy should generally be used for large voids, and if youād like you can also mix epoxy with tints and pigments from an art supply house for an additional touch of colour. When applying, make sure youāre doing so carefully with a knife or wooden stick as it can be difficult to clean up.
- You should always follow the manufacturerās recommendations when mixing your epoxy, and make sure that youāre using the right ratios to ensure that the glue cures fully and reaches its maximum strength.
- As epoxy generates heat when it cures, itās best to mix it in smaller batches.
- Take the necessary safety precautions when working with epoxy. Itās important that youāve got proper protective clothing and safety glasses. Make sure that youāre also working in a well-ventilated space. Long-sleeved clothing is also recommended along with mouth protection.
- When mixing, try and do so in plastic containers as epoxy simply peels out after it has set.
- Epoxy is not UV-resistant, so if itās meant for the outdoors you should topcoat your wooden piece with an exterior varnish or paint.
Best Epoxy Wood Fillers
J-B Weld 8257 KwikWood Wood Repair Epoxy Putty Stick- 3.5 inch
This epoxy putty stick comes in two different lengths of 3.5 inch and 7 inch to suit your needs. Itās formulated to repair and rebuild wood and is easy to use and great for your household DIY repairs. To mix the two-part formula, youād need to do so by hand. Thereafter, it takes about 25 minutes to set before curing within the hour. When cured, it also has a light tan colour thatāll suit most wooden furniture with no issues at all.
In terms of strength, this epoxy wood filler comes with a 900 PSI strength and it wonāt shrink or rot and can be sanded, stained, drilled and shaped in accordance with your needs. Feel free to use it on door hinge repairs, dry rot repairs and more. Customers that have purchased this product are satisfied with their purchase. Not only is it easy to use, but individuals also mentioned that it does the job great.
- Easy to use
- Will not shrink or rot
- Can be used for plenty from knot hols to rotted wood
- Can be mixed by hand
Cons:
- Does not take stain well
Minwax 21600000 High-Performance Wood Filler
This high-performance epoxy wood filler is exactly what you need if youāre looking for a great product. Not only can it permanently repair any damage or rotted wood, but you can also use it to fill damaged gouges or holes. Whatās great about this particular epoxy wood filler is that itās weather, water and also rot-resistant. If youād like, you can also use it as a wood adhesive for anchoring screws and securing loose joints.
While this particular epoxy wood filler strongly bonds to wood, it also bonds with other rigid surfaces such as ceramics, metal and even fibreglass. You also wonāt have to worry about it shrinking or cracking, and itāll harden in 15-minutes and is ready to sand in about half an hour. Customers like how this epoxy wood filler is easy to work with and dries hard quickly. They also appreciate that it isnāt expensive and does the job both quickly and efficiently.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Dries quickly
- Inexpensive
- Weather, water and rot-resistant
Cons:
- Some reviews have mentioned that customers have issues with this epoxy wood filler drying too fast
Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler
If youāre looking for an easy to use epoxy wood filler thatās both paintable and sandable, this particular product will do the trick. Not only will you be able to easily sand it to a smooth finish, but itās also resistant to shrinking and cracking. If you need to clean-up this epoxy wood filler you can do so with water, and it comes with a resealable tube so you can use it for small jobs with no issues at all.
Feel free to use it to fill nail holes, fill gouges in hardwood floors and more. This particular epoxy wood filler is meant for indoor use, and itāll take about 12 to 24 hours to dry. Individuals that have purchased this love it as they mentioned that it goes on and sticks nicely. They also appreciate that itās easy to sand and doesnāt take too long to dry. Perhaps one of the biggest pluses of this epoxy wood filler is that you can paint over it very nicely.
Pros:
- Easy to sand
- Paintable
- Comes with a resealable tube
- Sticks nicely
Cons:
- Can only be used indoors
Bondo 20082 Home Solutions Wood Filler
This epoxy wood filler from Bondo is great if youāre looking for a solution thatāll allow you to make quick and durable repairs to both damaged and rotting wood. Not only will it cure fast ā usually within 15-minutes, but itās also sandable. If youād like you can also go ahead and stain and paint the epoxy wood filler after it has set for about half an hour. Additionally, this particular solution is also water-resistant so you can use it both indoors and outdoors.Feel free to use it for repairing doors, windows, furniture and more. As this epoxy wood filler turns medium brown once mixed, it works well and blends in with most wood surfaces. Customers like this epoxy wood filler and recommend it for large repairs. They also mentioned that it sets up pretty quick and can also be sanded and painted fairly quickly.
Pros:
- Cures fast
- Water-resistant
- Turns medium brown ā blending in with most furniture
- Sets up pretty quick
Cons:
- Once mixed, youāve only got a couple of minutes to use the product
Two Cans Wood Repair Epoxy Paste
This two-part epoxy wood filler paste is great for replacing any missing or rotting wood from your furniture or wooden pieces. Not only is it resistant to UV-light, but itās also both mildew and dry rot-resistant. Feel free to use this epoxy wood filler both indoors and outdoors. Unlike other epoxy wood fillers, youāve got a work time of at least 30-40 minutes with this solution and you can paint, stain and machine it after it has fully cured.
Itās resistant to all weather conditions, and wonāt shrink, crack or pop out of exterior wood. It has a tan coloured ā allowing it to fit in with most wood with no issues and comes with a strength of 850 PSI. You can use this epoxy wood filler to fill cracks and knots in wood, fix stairs and railings, and even preserve historical buildings. Customers like this as itās easy to use and will effectively repair damaged wood. They also appreciate how itās sandable, paintable and stainable.
Pros:
- UV-light, mildew and dry rot-resistant
- Can be paint, stained and machined
- Resistant to all weather conditions
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Some mentioned that itās not quite moldable
Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit
If youāre looking to repair your furniture, it canāt get any easier than this. This repair kit comes with an epoxy wood filler thatās great for chips, cracks, holes, scratches and more. Feel free to use it on a desk, shelf, decks and more. It works well on any material and wood of any color. With this purchase, youāll get 10 base compounds so you can mix it to achieve the color that you need.
If required, thereās also enough compound for you to fix large areas with ease. Instructions are also incredibly easy to understand and youāll cover damages and cracked areas on wood in no time at all. If youāre new to fixing wood, youād be happy to know that this kit comes with a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results. Customers are incredibly happy with this product as it allows you to blend your patches with no issues at all. They also like how it comes with plenty of videos thatāll teach you how to do it like a pro.
Pros:
- Comes with 10 base compounds so you can achieve the color that you need
- Great for large areas
- Comes with instructions and a step-by-step guide
- Plenty of paint in each tube to last for plenty of repairs
Cons:
- Hard to figure out the right colours for your wooden pieces
Bottom Line
We hope that this article was helpful, and youāve learned a little more about epoxy wood fillers. Repairing your wooden furniture or wooden pieces doesnāt have to be an arduous process ā especially if youāve got the right epoxy wood filler. When using an epoxy wood filler, remember to ensure that youāre mixing it as per the manufacturerās instructions and wearing the appropriate safety gear. By taking the necessary precautions and mixing your epoxy wood filler accurately, youāll fix up your damaged wooden pieces in no time at all.