Wood filler and Wood Putty are different products used to fill in and correct imperfections made during woodwork, such as unwanted holes, gouges, scratches, chippings, etc. They are equal to white, cementing a wall to cover small holes and cracks. But, there are distinct differences between the two products. We did extensive research to understand the differences and compare them. Through this article, we will review both products. The comparison Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty will help you use the right product for your project.
Contents
Our Verdict
Wood Filler is used to repairing and sealing imperfections in indoor woodwork. It can be stained and painted, so it is suitable for raw wood. Wood Putty is used to fixing and sealing flaws in outdoor woodwork. It is not stainable or paintable, hence used on finished wood.
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: Comparison Chart
| Wood Filler | Wood Putty |
|---|---|
| Wood Filler | Wood Putty |
| Made up of Lacquer, Epoxy, Polyurethane, clay and wood fibers | Made up of Calcium Carbonate, Linseed Oil, Dye pigment or Colourant |
| Drying Time is Ten to fifteen minutes, up to a maximum of eight hours | Drying time is Twelve to sixteen hours, usually overnight |
| Can be used on Raw wood or unfinished wood | May damage raw wood, more suitable for finished wood |
| Preferred for indoor woodwork | Preferred for outdoor woodwork |
| Not malleable, under extreme heat tends to harden and crack. | Malleable, can be used for woodwork which experiences extreme seasonal weather changes |
| Can be sanded down after drying | Cannot be sanded |
| Not available in different colours | Available in different colours to match the colour of the wood |
| Stainable and paintable | Cannot be stained or painted |
| Less Durable compared to wood putty | More durable than wood filler |
| Not adhesive, additional adhesive required if needed | Adhesive, hence no additional adhesive required |
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: Differences
1. Composition
Wood Filler: Wood filler is primarily made up lacquer (a liquid made of alcohol and shellac resin or synthetic resins, used as a protective coating on wood, metal, etc.), polyurethane (a synthetic resin, a chief component in varnishes, foams, adhesives, and paints), epoxy(a type of thermosetting resin) and clay mixed with wood fibers. It may also contain limestone and other minerals usually found in drywall for extra durability. Also known as wood grain, it is a solvent-based product. It all depends upon, How much aged your wood is.
Wood Putty: The primary components of Wood Putty are calcium carbonate (chalk or lime), linseed oil (also called flaxseed oil or flax oil), and a dye pigment or colorant. Different manufacturers may use other chemicals but mainly stick to oil-based components. Also known as plastic wood, it derives its name from its stiff dough texture and is used with a putty knife.
2. Properties And Applications
While both Wood Putty and Wood Fillers are used to cover-up inconsistencies in woodwork, they have widely different properties and advantages.
Wood Filler: Wood filler has a property of drying up within ten to fifteen minutes of its application. In the case of an in-depth application, eight hours is more than enough time for the filler to dry up. It also hardens as it dries up, which allows us to sand the surface after drying up. However, it does not have the elasticity of wood, meaning it does not expand or contract under different temperatures.
Wood expands or contracts under the influence of extreme temperature changes and moisture. Wood Filler, once hardened, does not exhibit these properties. It tends to shrink under the heat of the sun and crack. It can be sanded down for the desired result, which is a great advantage. It can also be mixed with dye pigments to achieve the desired color.
Wood Filler is mainly used in unfinished wood and sealed with varnish or paint to achieve a finished look. It is recommended to use for indoor furnishings because it doesn’t work well under extreme weather conditions.
Wood Putty: Wood Putty is more malleable than Wood Filler. It can take up to several hours to harden, which is much longer than wood filler. Some types of Wood Putty can dry up on its own, but others need hardening agents to dry. It is recommended to use a lighter shade of putty than the wood as it tends to darken due to the accumulation of dust in its prolonged process of drying and hardening. It never completely dries up or hardens like wood filler, so it cannot be sanded down.
However, due to its tough dough-like texture and being oil-based, it can be used on finished pieces. The key is to match the exact color of the finished product and the wood putty as it is not paintable or stained. However, it is not a disadvantage as manufacturers produce various stains of wood putty to meet the requirement.
It is best suited for outdoor furnishings as it can mimic the properties of natural wood on temperature changes and moisture, as mentioned above. Also, it is waterproof.
Swings, Lawn Chairs, Lawn Fencing, Lounges, Beach Chairs, Picnic tables, benches, etc. are examples to use Wood Putty.
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: Similarities
1. Application
Both Wood filler and Wood Putty are used to repair flaws in the woodwork. They are used to fill in a drill or nail holes, gouges, scratches, chippings, shavings, etc. They also form a seal on the wood, increasing its durability. They come in various varieties based on individual requirements, from colors to composition.
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: Features And Technical Specifications:
Features And Technical Specification Of Wood Filler
- Composition: Wood filler is a solvent-based product comprising epoxy, lacquer, polyurethane, and clay mixed with wood fibers. Some varieties contain limestone for additional durability.
- Properties: Wood filler dries up quickly. After drying, it hardens up enough to allow sanding, which helps achieve a smooth finished look. It shrinks under the heat of the sun and may crack. It is stainable and paintable. It can also be mixed with dye pigments to achieve the desired color.
Features And Technical Specification Wood Putty
- Composition: Wood Putty is made up of Calcium Carbonate, Linseed oil, and a colorant. It comes in various colors.
- Properties: Wood Putty is malleable. It comes in various colors to match the exact shade of wood and can be customized as per individual needs. It has a tough dough-like texture. It takes several hours to dry. It is oil-based and hence used for finished pieces. It may damage raw wood.
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: What’s In The Box?
- Wood Filler: A typical wood filler box would contain a packet of hardener, a putty knife, scoop, or a similar tool and a thick paste of wood filler.
- Wood Putty: A pack of Wood putty contains a tough dough-like putty and a putty knife or scoop. Some packs may have different shades of wood putty for customization.
Wood Filler Vs Wood Putty: Overview
Overview Of Wood Filler
Wood filler is an epoxy and lacquer-based product used to fill in and repair any defects in raw or unfinished woodwork. It dries quickly and hence useful for emergencies. It dries quickly and hardens upon drying. So it can be sanded and smoothened for a finished look. It can be painted or sealed to match the texture of the final project. It is used for indoor woodwork as it tends to harden and crack under extreme weather conditions.
- Wood Filler is quick-dry. It takes between ten minutes to eight hours (in case of deep holes or gouges) to dry. So it can be useful for a quick-fix or in case of an emergency.
- It is more versatile than Wood Putty; there are more varieties of different compositions available. From latex to polyurethane and stainable, there are various customizations available.
- It is stainable and paintable so that it can be used for the unfinished wood.
- It hardens so that it can be sanded for a smooth finish.
- It is not suitable for outdoor use as it is not malleable like wood putty. Under extreme weather conditions, it tends to harden and crack.
- It is not cost-effective like Wood putty. In some cases, if left unused for a long time, it can harden up, rendering it useless.
- It is not very adhesive. Hence it is advisable to seal the spot with an adhesive when applying the finish.
Overview Of Wood Putty
Wood Putty is an oil-based product used to seal defects in wood. It is primarily made up of linseed oil and calcium carbonate mixed with a colorant. It comes in various hues to suit the exact shade of the wood. It had a dough or clay-like texture and took several hours to dry upon application. It is used for outdoor woodwork such as furniture as it can withstand extreme weather conditions. It cannot be sanded or sealed with a varnish or paint. Hence it is recommended to use on finished wood and not raw wood.
- Wood Putty is durable and hence cost-effective. Even if it is left unused for a long time and appears dry in the container, adding acetone to the putty will restore it completely.
- Works best for outdoor projects. It is resistant to water and shrinkage, and as it is expandable, it doesn’t crack like wood filler when the wood expands.
- Due to its adhesive properties, there is no need to apply additional adhesive sealer on it.
- There are various shades in which Wood Putty is manufactured to meet specific requirements.
- Wood Putty takes several hours to dry, and upon drying, the shade might darken due to dust collection in the long process. It is usually recommended to be left overnight for drying.
- It is not stainable or paintable, and hence should not be used on unfinished wood.
- It never dries completely, so it cannot be sanded for a smooth finish.
FAQs
1. What is Wood Filler, and what is it used for?
Wood filler is primarily made up of lacquer, polyurethane, epoxy, and clay mixed with wood fibers. It is used for sealing imperfections like holes, gouges, chipping, etc. in indoor furniture.
2. What is Wood Putty, and what is it used for?
Wood Putty is a tough dough-like substance used to seal imperfection like holes, gouges, cracks, chipping in outdoor wooden furniture, similar to white cement in drywall. The primary components of Wood Putty are calcium carbonate, linseed oil, and a colorant.
3. Is Wood Filler more cost-effective or Wood Putty?
The prices of the two are the same, but as wood putty is more durable, it is more cost-effective. For instance, if you find that your wood putty has dried in the container, you don’t have to buy fresh wood putty; the product can be reused by adding and mixing a bit of acetone. The same can’t be said of wood filler.
4. Why is Wood Filler not preferable for Outdoor Wooden Furniture?
Wood Filler is not resistant to moisture, and it’s not very expandable, making it crack when the wood expands when heated. Also, it shrinks when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. Hence it is not recommended for outdoor wooden furniture, which is prone to experience extreme seasonal weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
Both wood filler and wood putty are useful to fill in and correct imperfections in woodwork. Even though they might seem similar, they are two completely different products, each with distinct properties and applications. That’s why it’s essential to identify your needs, particularly the area and environment of your woodwork, so you can determine which is the most suitable one for the job.
If you are repairing or sealing woodwork for indoor usage, it’s better to use wood filler. If you’re repairing and sealing outdoor furniture, use wood putty.
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