You may have come across cracks, dents, or tiny holes in the wood that are challenging to repair. These imperfections could ruin your hard work, regardless of whether you’re dealing with an old deck, worn out outdoor trim, or even a piece of furniture. The good news? The solution is quite simple wood filler.
However, the fact is that not all wood fillers are the same, and using the correct one for the project will make a significant difference. This guide will show you how and when to use wood filler (especially for outdoor projects).
What is Wood Filler exactly?
Wood filler is a putty-like substance used to fill in holes, fill cracks and smooth out any imperfections on wood surfaces. Once dried it’s possible to sand or painted. It’s the ideal solution to achieve a smooth finish prior to applying your final coat.
Wood fillers come in two types that are water-based, which is easier to clean and ideal for use indoors. Solvent-based wood fillers are stronger and more robust to weather. The correct wood filler will depend on the project.
When should you utilize wood filler?
If you spot a dent or gouge, or nail hole in a wood surface you can fill it with wood to fix it. Filler can be utilized in a variety of scenarios.
Repairing damaged furniture
Repairing the cracks in doors and window frames
Reparing nail holes in molding or trim
Repairing the gaps in outdoor decks, fences, and other structures
Filling in any imperfections prior to staining or painting can result in a smoother, more professional look.
The importance of exterior wood filler for outdoor Projects
Working on outdoor wood projects like decks, fences, or siding? Here’s where things get important: indoor wood fillers won’t cut it outside. Variations in temperature, rain sun, humidity, and rain can make wood expand and shrink. If they’re not designed to be for outdoor usage, standard fillers can crack or even fall off over time.
The fillers are designed to handle the elements. The fillers are flexible enough to move along with the wood, and stop the repairs from degrading when the seasons change. Many exterior fillers also ward off the growth of mildew and moisture as as UV radiations. This is precisely what you require for outdoor wood surfaces.
How do I apply deck wood filler correctly
Deck wood filler can be used to fix larger cracks or gaps in decks for outdoor use. The caulking is typically available in tubes that can be applied with a standard caulking tool.
Here’s a quick step-by-step to make sure you’re doing it correctly:
Clean all debris and dirt from the surface.
Making the Area Ready: Sand lightly around the crack or hole to allow the filler to be able to stick.
Apply the Filler using a caulking gun or a putty knife to apply the filler. Fill the area with enough to allow for shrinkage after it is dry.
Let It Dry Completely Then, follow the product’s drying time (this can vary based on the thickness and type applied).
Sand Smooth After drying you can sand the surface flush with the wood surrounding it for an even look.
Prime, paint or stain Then finish your project with stain or paint to coincide with the rest of the project.
Small Step, Big Results
A tube or a wood filler in the beginning might seem like a major deal. Ask anyone who has missed this step and regrettably realized later that it had made all the difference between a amateur DIY project and a polished professional result.
It’s possible to make the work last longer with the use of exterior wood filler as well as deck wood filler.
Make sure that you take the paintbrush, smooth it, fill it in, and then seal it off. The future you (and your wood-based projects) will thank you.