However, this will only work on the oil-based finishes. Wood putty has adhesive properties and so you will not always need to use a seal. Even when it dries in the bottle, a few drops of acetone is all you need to refresh it A small container of wood putty will last for a long time which makes it a more cost-effective filling agent. Lastly, wood putty also has some adhesive properties and this makes it a great masking glue but it works best with oil-based finishes.
Even when the putty dries in the container you only need to use a little acetone to restore it. It is also more cost-effective than wood filler because it lasts longer. Wood putty is the best filling agent for use on outdoor furniture as it not only resists shrinkage but is also less prone to the effects of the natural elements like sun and rain. The many color options make it easy to find something that matches your wood stain. You can get wood putty in a variety of colors and hence making it a versatile filling agent. And this can affect the appearance of the workpiece. The long drying time if the greatest shortcoming of the wood putty as it means that lighter colors can accumulate dust and darken once the patty is dry. Some types will harden on their own while others will require you to mix in a hardening chemical to stiffen the putty. Once dry wood putty will harden but this takes a long time or at least longer than wood filler. The stiff dough texture of wood putty means that you need a putty knife to apply it. It will resemble a plastic resin and will feel like soft clay when you add some water. And the primary ingredients in most as are boiled linseed oil, some calcium carbonate and a universal colorant. Wood putty is the type of filler that you apply after staining or varnishing your workpiece, and this is because most types will contain chemicals and other ingredients that can damage the raw wood.Īlthough the ingredients of wood putty can vary from one manufacturer to the other, all are oil-based compounds. And it is one of the most common wood filling compounds in many workshops.
Wood putty is also what many seasoned woodworkers and experts like to refer to as “plastic wood”. Knowing the difference between a wood filler and putty is vital for every woodworker as it makes it easy to pick the right product for a project. While they serve an almost similar purpose they are still different products and suitable for different wood filling projects. Wood putty and wood filler are often used interchangeably by woodworkers to mean the same thing. These holes can be a result of defects or inconsistencies in the wood or where the nails go in.Īnd when it comes to filling holes in a workpiece, wood filer and wood putty are always the best and in most cases the only solutions. When repairing furniture and other wooden items or building them from scratch, there are many instances where you will need to fill holes.