If you're having a hard time deciding on the best solution for your damaged wooden corners, don't worry. We will provide you with some helpful tips to fix your damaged wood. We conducted thorough research about wood filler and some sub-related topics to help you. Here's what we found.
You can apply wood filler to corners, as well as dents, cracks, and small holes in wood to bring back its original formation. Just follow these seven easy steps:
- Mix the wood filler.
- Sand down the rough edges.
- Apply the filler to the wood surface in need of repair.
- Use a putty knife to smooth the filler.
- Let it dry.
- Sand the part where the filler is applied.
- Apply some finish to retouch.
Using wood filler is easy and straightforward, especially when you need it to cover some damaged area on the wood project in your home. Keep reading this post to learn more about the detailed procedures for applying wood filler.
How To Use Wood Filler On Corners
Apply the wood filler to quickly and effectively fix dents, cuts, cracks, mini holes, and other surface flaws in the woodwork in your home. Follow these detailed steps for applying wood filler:
Step 1: Mix The Wood Filler
First, mix the wood filler inside the container using a putty knife or shake it if you're using a tube.
Check out this wood filler on Amazon.
Step 2: Sand Down The Rough Edges
Sand down the rough edges near or directly above the damaged area you want to repair. After sanding the rough edges, use a vacuum or clean cloth to wipe off the excess dirt and dust from the sanded wood.
Add to cart this Sandpaper on Amazon.
Step 3: Apply The Filler To The Wood Surface
Start by applying wood filler to the area where repair is needed. As the filler dries, it will slowly shrink, so you should add a little bit of the filler as needed.
Step 4: Use A Putty Knife To Smooth The Filler
After using the appropriate filler, use a clean section of a putty knife to smooth over the filled area.
If you have any residue left on your hands, clean it off using a mineral spirit if you're using a petroleum-based filler. If you are using a water-based wood filler, use water.
Check out this knife set on Amazon.
Step 5: Let The Wood Filler Dry
If you have already filled out the damaged areas, wait until the wood filler dries. Allow the filler to solidify for at least 30 minutes; an entire hour is preferable. It may be challenging to hand sand true wood fillers after they have dried to a hard state.
For deep, large areas, allow the filler to dry for more than an hour, depending on how much filler you put into the wood.
Step 6: Sand The Filled Area
When the wood filler is dried enough, finish by hand-sanding the filled area using sandpaper while moving the paper down the grain of the wood. In addition to helping the filler absorb the stain, it will create tiny scratches in the filler that resemble the pattern of the adjacent wood.
Step 7: Apply Some Finish To Retouch
Start retouching the woodwork with some finish applicable to your wood project. After thoroughly cleaning the area, the patch or filled crack can now be stained and given a protective finish.
Expect the filler to be somewhat noticeable, but don't expect it to be completely undetectable. Staining the product will assist in balancing the color variances between the filler and the adjacent wood.
Click to see this polycrylic wood finish on Amazon
Wood Maintenance
If you plan to use wood filler, you should keep your wood in good condition. Maintaining your wood will help you use less filler.
- Use a primer with oil in it. As a result, the wood will continue to be moisture-resistant and won't fracture where the filler is being placed.
- Use various cleaning products, not just one, to clean your home's baseboards, windowsills, and doors. You should clean all of them with products that won't cause their finish or color to fade and or leave any residue.
- Use wax on doors, window frames, and other woodwork as necessary during the cold season because these areas more likely to get moist due to the freezing conditions.
- Use a clean cloth or any fabric material to wipe off dirt and dust on the wood.
- Only use low-pressure cleaning products to prevent the wood fiber from opening up and causing minor damage.
What Are The Two Types Of Wood Fillers?
The two types of wood fillers are water-based wood fillers and petroleum-based wood fillers. Both function independently depending on which works for your wood.
Water-Based Wood Filler
Water-based putties or fillers are easy to recognize since water is recommended as a tool cleaner in the instructions.
Check out this water-based wood filler on Amazon.
Petroleum-Based Wood Filler
You can easily recognize petroleum-based products because they require acetone, mineral spirits, or some other chemical solvent in the instructions.
These kinds of wood fillers not only conceal and close up holes in the wood but also bind the pieces of the wood together, reducing the chance that cracks would form throughout the time in the holes and open joints.
Difference Between Wood Filler And Wood Putty
If you're still unfamiliar with the usage and purpose of wood putty and wood filler, they have the same goal: to fill gaps in wood. However, they are different when it comes to their usage and their components.
Generally, most wood fillers are water-based and composed of the wood fiber. Most wood putties contain plastic that functions like epoxy.
Wood Filler
Wood filler is a material that can be sanded. It is coated in a mixture of hardening resin that can penetrate and link with wood fibers. It consists of a mixture of wood dust with lacquer, varnish, or glue.
Wood Putty
Wood putty is a combination of oil-based solutions and plastic material. Wood putty is more flexible and denser than wood filler. It also requires the use of a putty knife.
Most woodworkers also use wood putty for quick fixes and to hide little flaws such as minor joint misalignments, little marks, and nail holes.
How To Apply Wood Filler On Plywood?
Similar to applying the wood filler on corners, you can also follow the basic steps for applying the wood filler on plywood. Smooth the wood filler into cracks and gaps on the edges of plywood using a putty knife or your fingertips.
It might be simpler to use your fingertips because you can concentrate on the fine details in the wood.
Can You Put Wood Filler Over Paint?
Generally, it is typical for filler and putty to adhere to OEM paint without issue after being well sanded. The area where the filler will be placed must be free of paint before you can use the filler.
Can You Put Bondo Fillers On Painted Surfaces?
Bondo ultimate fillers can be layered directly over painted surfaces that have been primed and allowed to cure. Applying fillers to factory paint that has been cleaned and sanded will work. Days after application, the filler can still be easy to sand.
What Kind Of Primer Should I Use On Wood?
Latex or oil-based primer is appropriate for raw wood, depending on the paint you plan to use. The oil-based primer is required for wood like cedar or redwood since it penetrates deeper into the wood and helps to avoid yellowish or brownish stains.
Before painting, unfinished wood should be primed. The wood grain can be filled in and smoothed out with the help of primer with high-solid content.
Unfinished wood tends to soak in paint as raw drywall, but primer helps seal the surface to stop this from happening.
Summing Up
Wood filler provides a quick, temporary remedy for minor imperfections like cracks and dents to the wood. If you want to apply it on corners, you should mix the wood filler, sand down any rough areas, and apply the mixture to the portions that need repair.
You'll need to use a putty knife to smooth out the filler before letting it dry and sanding it. After that, all you need to do is apply some finish to retouch it.
Before you go, check out these helpful posts: