What Is And How To Use The Epoxy Wood Filler 

If you’ve got a hole in your door or a piece of furniture with some rotting wood, you’d 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, it’s also something that’s not difficult to do on your own. Just pick up some tools, follow the instructions and you’re good to go. Not only will it help with saving a good amount of money, but you’ll also feel like a talented craftsman after you’ve done the repairs. 

Below, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about epoxy wood fillers. We’ll 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 we’ve found.

What is an Epoxy Wood Filler?  

It’s essentially a filler that’s used to fill any unsightly dents, scratches or cracks. It’s also one of the rare fillers out there that’s a reliable adhesive. As it forms a strong bond and comes with special structural characteristics, it’s a great product to use to repair damaged wood. Additionally, as there’s no water or solvent to evaporate, epoxy also does not shrink. You can also sand your epoxy wood filler and paint over it after you’re 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 we’ve received about epoxy wood fillers. 

Will epoxy stick to wood filler?

It depends on what type of epoxy wood filler you’ve 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 it’ll penetrate the pores of the wood and bind to it.

What is epoxy filler used for?

They’re great if you’re looking for a filler that has more structural integrity – 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 – depending on your needs. When using an epoxy filler, it’s important that you apply it with care. 

How Do You Fill Holes in Wood with Epoxy?

There are a couple of steps that you’d need to take to fill holes in the wood with epoxy. 

1. If you’re filling rotting wood, you’d need to find and stop the cause of the rot. If you’re not sure what’s causing the rot or how to repair it, it’s best to call a professional for some help. If there’s 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.
2. Then, you’d 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.
3. Once you’ve determined the cause, proceed to remove all decayed wood before applying the liquid wood epoxy consolidant according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll 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.
4. Before applying the epoxy, you’d need to go ahead and mix it. As epoxy can harden – especially in warmer weather, you’d want to work with it quickly. Try and keep your epoxy materials as cool as possible when you’re working with it, and you can speed up hardening with a hairdryer or spotlight.
5. 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 you’re pressing hard so all voids are filled and there’s a good bond.
6. After that, you’ll want to make sure that you’re wearing chemical-resistant rubber gloves to shape the epoxy with your fingers and overfill the repair. You don’t need to get the shape perfect, just make sure that you’ve got enough material leftover to match the surrounding profiles.
7. With that, you’re good to go when it comes to filling the hole with epoxy. If it’s warm, you’ll be able to shape it in about three to four hours. If not, you’ll need the patch to harden overnight. Once that’s done, you can go ahead and sand the epoxy or proceed to paint over it.

Tips for Using Epoxy Wood Filler

If you’re new to using an epoxy wood filler, here are some tips to get you started: 

1. Epoxy should generally be used for large voids, and if you’d 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 you’re doing so carefully with a knife or wooden stick as it can be difficult to clean up.
2. You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when mixing your epoxy, and make sure that you’re using the right ratios to ensure that the glue cures fully and reaches its maximum strength.
3. As epoxy generates heat when it cures, it’s best to mix it in smaller batches.
4. Take the necessary safety precautions when working with epoxy. It’s important that you’ve got proper protective clothing and safety glasses. Make sure that you’re also working in a well-ventilated space. Long-sleeved clothing is also recommended along with mouth protection.
5. When mixing, try and do so in plastic containers as epoxy simply peels out after it has set.
6. Epoxy is not UV-resistant, so if it’s 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. It’s formulated to repair and rebuild wood and is easy to use and great for your household DIY repairs. To mix the two-part formula, you’d 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 that’ll 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 won’t 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. 

Minwax 21600000 High-Performance Wood Filler

This high-performance epoxy wood filler is exactly what you need if you’re 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. What’s great about this particular epoxy wood filler is that it’s weather, water and also rot-resistant. If you’d 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 won’t have to worry about it shrinking or cracking, and it’ll 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 isn’t expensive and does the job both quickly and efficiently. 

Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler

If you’re looking for an easy to use epoxy wood filler that’s 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 it’s 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 it’ll 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 it’s easy to sand and doesn’t 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. 

Bondo 20082 Home Solutions Wood Filler

This epoxy wood filler from Bondo is great if you’re looking for a solution that’ll allow you to make quick and durable repairs to both damaged and rotting wood. Not only will it cure fast – usually within 15-minutes, but it’s also sandable. If you’d 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. 

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 it’s also both mildew and dry rot-resistant. Feel free to use this epoxy wood filler both indoors and outdoors. Unlike other epoxy wood fillers, you’ve 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. 

It’s resistant to all weather conditions, and won’t shrink, crack or pop out of exterior wood. It has a tan coloured – 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 it’s easy to use and will effectively repair damaged wood. They also appreciate how it’s sandable, paintable and stainable. 

Coconix Floor and Furniture Repair Kit

If you’re looking to repair your furniture, it can’t get any easier than this. This repair kit comes with an epoxy wood filler that’s 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, you’ll get 10 base compounds so you can mix it to achieve the color that you need. 

If required, there’s also enough compound for you to fix large areas with ease. Instructions are also incredibly easy to understand and you’ll cover damages and cracked areas on wood in no time at all. If you’re new to fixing wood, you’d 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 that’ll teach you how to do it like a pro. 

Bottom Line 

We hope that this article was helpful, and you’ve learned a little more about epoxy wood fillers. Repairing your wooden furniture or wooden pieces doesn’t have to be an arduous process – especially if you’ve got the right epoxy wood filler. When using an epoxy wood filler, remember to ensure that you’re mixing it as per the manufacturer’s instructions and wearing the appropriate safety gear. By taking the necessary precautions and mixing your epoxy wood filler accurately, you’ll fix up your damaged wooden pieces in no time at all.