It feels like soft clay and is so easy to pack into holes. Consistencyīeing oil-based, wood putty has a smooth consistency. The binder could be latex, epoxy, or polyurethane. On the other hand, wood filler consists of by-products of wood such as sawdust and wood fibers combined with a binder, often in a water base. For this reason, wood putty is at times referred to as plastic wood.Ĭolorants and calcium carbonate are also common ingredients in wood putty. It contains polymers often in an oil base. The fact that they are both pliable in consistency makes it easy to think that they contain the same ingredients, but they do not. The ingredients in wood putty and wood filler make the key difference between the two.
#Wood filler vs wood putty how to
This would, of course, be impossible if you don’t know how to distinguish them yourself. Here are a few key differences between wood putty and wood filler. Therefore, you have to be keen to ensure you are purchasing exactly what you want. They will label their products as wood putty when it is wood filler and vice versa. Unfortunately, this interchangeable use of the terms extends to some manufacturers as well. It can cause more damage to the wood by exacerbating the flaws you were trying to cover. Using wood putty in place of wood filler and vice versa can adversely affect the wood in the future.
#Wood filler vs wood putty Patch
The finished patch then mimics wood, making the surface appear even and flawless.Īs a result, many woodworkers, seasoned and newbies alike, confuse them for one and the same thing but they are, in fact, different products. They are pliable and really get in there to fill up the space and cover the blemish.
It can be anything from nail holes to cracks, small gaps, dents, or scratches. Wood putty and wood filler are compounds used to patch up blemishes in the wood. This is where wood putty and wood filler come in. That perfection can only be achieved by covering these faults and making them look less noticeable, if not fully camouflaged. But at the end of the day, you want a perfectly finished product. However, most often, it is from inaccurate measurements, making erroneous holes, etc. Some naturally occur in the timber like knots, and others are caused by wear and tear, for example, from aging furniture. In the course of woodworking, you’ll stumble upon tons of wood imperfections.
The Differences Between Wood Putty And Wood Filler
In this post, we give you an overview of wood putty vs. If you’ve been making this innocent mistake of using the two terms interchangeably all along, here is an opportunity to learn more. While wood putty is mean to cover up blemishes in the wood such as scratches and nicks, wood filler is meant to fill in cracks, holes, and other larger imperfections. So, what is the difference between wood putty vs wood filler ? The difference between wood putty and wood filler is in the composition, making them suitable for different applications. Failure to distinguish one from the other leads to using the wrong product for the job, and the future impact on the wood would be detrimental. However, wood putty and wood filler are two distinct compounds. It is understandable because both compounds are used to repair holes or gaps in wood by filling or covering them up. It is not uncommon for woodworkers and homeowners to confuse wood putty for wood filler.