Do you want to fix visible damage on your trim without replacing it? Then wood fillers are for you. Not only do they cover nail holes and other trim flaws, but you can paint them on to create a more blended look, even if your trim is white or a different color. What brands should you trust for this? We have done research and compiled a list for you, so read on for recommendations.
When choosing a wood filler brand, you should evaluate based on how seamlessly it can match your trim. Here are some of the recommended wood fillers you can buy based on their effectiveness, drying time, color-matching ability, and paint-enabling formulas:
- FamoWood Wood Filler
- DAP Plastic Wood All Purpose Wood Filler
- Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler
- Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler
- Gork's Godfilla Water-Based Wood And Grain Filler
There are many great choices you can pick from for your trim. But how do you decide which one to buy? Don't worry. We will help you by sharing information for each recommendation listed above.
![Wood filler brown color with a hand scraping it in the white wood, 5 Best Wood Fillers For Trim [Inc. White Trim]](https://homedecorbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/5-Best-Wood-Fillers-For-Trim-Inc.-White-Trim.png)
Recommended Wood Fillers For Trim
Stressed over which of the many options you should choose? Wood fillers should match your trim color and cover up the imperfections of your house's trim seamlessly.
You can save money by doing this, so it's no wonder you want to use the best filler. Here is a list that you can choose from:
FamoWood Wood Filler
This brand can be applied on exterior and interior surfaces. In addition, it dries within 15 minutes after application. It can fill large gouges or smooth scratches and cracks, so it's versatile.
It's almost as if the damage is gone after application because it doesn't crack or shrink even after it dries. And even better, it comes in many colors and can be painted or stained, so you don't have to worry if it doesn't initially blend in with your trim.
Click here to see this FamoWood Wood Filler on Amazon.
DAP Plastic Wood All-Purpose Wood Filler
This is an all-purpose, water-based latex filler. It strengthens as it dries and hardens. Even if you sand, drain, cut, or paint it, there will be no splits or cracks, so it's one of the best products to use. Note that it can be hard to squeeze out of the tube because of these attributes.
Its color choices include natural, golden oak, red oak, walnut, and white, but if your trim has a different color or shade from what they offer, you can paint it to match them. In addition, it doesn't produce a foul smell, so that you can use it even in closed rooms or spaces.
Check out this DAP Plastic Wood Filler on Amazon.
Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler
Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler has a no-sand formula, so there is little to no need to sand it when applied. You won't have to exert much effort if you use it to fill in several damaged areas. It takes two to six hours to dry.
After it dries, you can treat it like wood without worrying too much. You may stain, paint, cut, drill, or even sand it if you want to. In addition, it comes in multiple grain colors like plain white, so you may not need to paint it for color matching.
Click here to see this Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler on Amazon.
Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler
Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler can easily remedy severely damaged wood trim with deep holes. However, it isn't suitable for minor scratches or shallow holes because of its thick texture.
It doesn't produce much odor and has a smooth finish, so most experts recommend it. It takes 12 to 24 hours to dry and harden. It's already white, so you don't need to paint it if your trim is that color. But if you need to paint it to blend it on your trim's shade, you can freely do so.
Tap here to see this Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler on Amazon.
Gork's Godfilla Water-Based Wood And Grain Filler
More extensive holes, as well as trim severely damaged by termites, woodpeckers, or water, can be repaired with Gork's Godfilla Water-Based Wood And Grain Filler. This brand's water-based formula effortlessly fills cracks, holes, knots, or splits.
In addition, you can apply it to areas with minor damage. This filler may be tough to spread because of its thickness, but it dries quickly.
After applying it to your trim, you can paint it whichever color works best without cracking or shrinking. It comes in different shades, including white.
Check out Gork's Godfilla Water-Based Wood And Grain Filler on Amazon.
Guide For Choosing A Wood Filler
You can assess wood fillers online or at your local store is by using this guide:
- Type of wood filler: There are two basic types of wood fillers, water-based and solvent-based. Water-based fillers do not create much odor but are sensitive to water, so you should only use them indoors. Solvent-based fillers emit a strong smell but are highly weather resistant, which makes them a good choice for exterior surfaces.
- Amount of filler in a container: The size of the hole, gauge, or scratch you need to fill should determine the amount of filler you buy. Because a filler can become hard in its container once it makes contact with air, do not buy a container that's too big. On the other hand, if you have major trim issues, make sure to buy an amount that will fill in all of the imperfections.
- Consistency: Wood fillers can have a thick or a thin consistency. Use thinner fillers to close up tiny holes and thicker fillers to fill up deep areas.
How Do You Use Wood Fillers For Trim?
Contrary to what most people think, wood fillers are easy to apply. Just follow these directions:
- Sand your wood trim and clean it. Remove any loose chunks or flaking paint. Then sand the edges near the area where you want to use wood fillers. Use a shop vac or a damp cloth to clean any dust and wait for it to dry before proceeding.
- Apply a wood stain preconditioner to ensure that the surrounding wood where you will apply your filler doesn't absorb any stain or color from the product.
- Spread the wood filler with a putty knife. Press the wood filler into the damaged area of the trim and smooth it with a putty knife.
- Wait for the wood filler to dry. The drying time of your product will depend on how deep the surface is that you used it for and manufacturer recommendations.
- Sand the area you filled in to even it out with your trim. Make sure that when you feel the area with your hand, there's only a tiny difference between the area you filled and the trim's original surface.
- Apply a finish or paint to your filler to match it with your trim.
Check out this post about the color-matching your wood filler to a surface for more information:
Does A Wood Filler Come In Different Colors [And Can You Paint It]?
How Do You Stop Filler Lines From Showing Through Paint?
If you've applied wood filler and paint but can easily spot the difference between the two, here's how you can fix the problem.
- Sand the paint off one or two inches around the filler's spot.
- Add primer to seal the wood filler and create a smoother finish.
- Repaint the wood filler with a similar color and shade as the surface you put it on after the primer dries.
Does Wood Filler Harden Like Wood?
Wood fillers consist of wood particles, fibers, and a binding element, which harden and strengthen after application. A filler repairs wood from the inside and helps wood maintain its stability.
If you want to cover up severe damage, use wood fillers, as they are durable and don't crack easily.
In Closing
You can pick from various wood fillers to fix your damaged trim depending on your trim's situation and location. You can choose one from the list above by examining its effectiveness, versatility, and ability to be painted over for color matching.
Additionally, you can select from fillers meant for interior or exterior surfaces, depending on the location of your trim.
Before you go, read this post about the best wood fillers for deep holes or gaps for more information: