Apart from giant redwood trees, wood ages over time, and since you can’t stop the aging process, wood is a hard material to maintain.
A wood filler can solve some of the issues that come with the wear and tear of wood, such as cracks that have formed due to aging.
Not all wood filler is created equal, however, and not all of it suits the same purpose, making finding the best wood filler somewhat problematic.
That’s why we’ve conjured up an informative guide regarding proper wood filler. If you want to get your grain back in shape, keep reading!
Top 10 Wood Fillers
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elmer's E855 Carpenter's Wood Filler, 3.25-Ounce Tube, White | Oil Based | $$ | 4.6 |
| 2. Elmer's E848D12 Carpenter's Wood Filler 1/2-Pint | Oil Based | $$ | 4.5 |
| 3. Minwax 21600000 High-Performance Wood Filler, 12-Ounce Can | Oil Based | $$$ | 4.5 |
| 4. Elmer's E887Q Stainable Wood Filler, 3.25-Ounce | Water Based | $$ | 4.4 |
| 5. Elmer's E892 Stainable Wood Filler 32 oz | Water Based | $$$ | 4.5 |
| 6. Dap 21506 Plastic Wood Filler, 16-Ounce | Oil Based | $$ | 4.3 |
| 7. Elmer's Products E847 Carpenter's Interior Wood Filler, 1/4-Pint | Water Based | $ | 4.4 |
| 8. Bondo 20131 Rotted Wood Restorer - 8 oz., | Oil Based | $$$$ | 4.5 |
| 9. Guardsman Wood Repair Filler Sticks - 5 Colors Plus Sharpener | Oil Based | $$ | 4 |
| 10. Mohawk Finishing Products Fill Stick (Fil-Stik) Putty Sticks (Maple Rock) | Water Based | $$ | 3.9 |
Shopping Tips: How to Make Your Wood Look Great
A great filler isn’t as easy as you would think to find; rather, you’re going to have to pay attention to several important points before finding the filler that’s perfect for your use. We have a list of points you’ll want to consider, below, when you’re considering a particular brand of filler.
- Suited for Natural Holes, Man-Made Voids, or Both? Some types of wood have natural openings that are present in their grain, and thus need a wood filler with less viscosity and smaller particles.
On the other hand, wood filler that’s designed for man-made voids or openings in beams of wood is usually thicker and is a putty-like substance.
Sometimes, a filler will come in a putty form but have the option to be diluted for a less thick texture, if you’re looking to fill in natural voids.
- Oil or Water-Based. This is an important distinction to be aware of before you purchase a wood filler, because oil-based fillers are more dangerous to use, and often require care when applying.
Additionally, water-based wood fillers are ideal, because they’re environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
- Stainable? This is an important attribute to be aware of, especially if you’re staining indoor furniture or wood, such as hardwood floors.
- Sandable? The best wood filler is a filler that can do its job without being noticed; a filler that’s sandable won’t stick out like a sore thumb!
Top 3 Best Wood Filler Reviews
1. Elmer’s E855 Carpenter’s Wood Filler
Built for indoor and outdoor use and containing wood fibers to hold the putty at a resolute level of firmness, this wood filler is great for any cracks or natural crevices present.
It’s not water-based meaning that you might need to wear gloves and a breath mask to work with it, but it goes on smooth and sands very well and easily.
It contains actual wood fibers, making it ultra firm and able to be used in areas of wood that have been damaged by screws, weather, or blunt/piercing damage.
In addition to staining reasonably well, it also dries very quickly, so if you’re working outside and the weather doesn’t look so great, have no fear.
Elmers makes more than glue; they make an excellent brand of wood filler. This wood filler is superior to other brands in many ways, from its quick drying capabilities to its firmness and ability to be sanded quickly.
2. Elmer’s E848D12 Carpenter’s Wood Filler
Easy to sand, non-shrinking, and easy to stain, this small tube of wood filler will do the trick for all small jobs, from filling in deterioration of hardwood floor planks to filling in a small nail or screw holes.
It’s really easy to sand, a highly-touted feature of any wood filler, and also sticks quite nicely to the interior of whatever space you need to fill in.
Unlike many other forms of large-grain wood filler, it stains really well, meaning it can be used to some effect on various types of indoor furniture, with stained wood.
It’s also easy to clean up, meaning even if you accidentally get it somewhere it’s not supposed to, a little soap and water will do the trick.
It’s a small tube of Elmer’s wood filler that packs a big amount of power – it’s easy to stain, easy to clean up, and easy to sand. What more could you want from a wood filler!
3. Minwax 21600000 High-Performance Wood Filler
Coming in a tube large enough to get a lot of jobs completed, this wood filler excels in a variety of environments, being fast-drying, super tough, and extremely sandable.
An excellent trait of this wood filler is its ability to be worked with after it dries; you’ll be able to drill or hammer into it after it’s sufficiently dry, making it ideal for surfaces you know you’ll eventually have to bear into again.
On top of drying out in under fifteen minutes, it’s easy to sand. You don’t have to worry about a substance that stands out and doesn’t look that desirable when put in place, for it goes on well and molds to whatever form you’d like it to mold to.
This Minwax wood filler is a heavyweight in the ring – it dries quickly, sands well, and can hold up to the impact of a drill or hammer.
