Carl Lewis, qualified joiner and owner of DIY website thediyfix.com, recommends, “When picking a wood filler, your choice will depend on whether you intend to paint the wood or stain it. For wood that will be painted, a standard white wood filler is fine. If you intend to stain it, you will need to use a stainable filler. Finally, for repairs on wood that is already stained, you can use a wax or putty filler. You will need to color-match these, however, in order to get the best results.” We evaluated wood fillers based on effectiveness, ease of use, value, and versatility. Here are the best wood fillers you can buy today. Coming in as our number-one pick is DAP Plastic Wood. This all-purpose, water-based latex wood filler is formulated with real wood fibers. It looks and acts like actual wood, except once it hardens, it’s three times as strong. You can sand, drill, cut, stain, and paint it without worrying about splitting, shrinking, or cracking. It even works as a sturdy anchor for nails and screws. DAP’s heavy-duty, professional-grade filler comes in multiple finish colors, including natural, golden oak, red oak, walnut, and white. The no-mix formula makes it easy to spread in an even, smooth layer on your furniture, doors, windows, or woodwork. Because it has little objectionable odor, it’s a great choice for interior projects in rooms without windows that easily open. And once you are finished, this wood filler cleans up easily with just soap and water. Price at time of publish: $10 This solvent-free wood filler can be used indoors or outside on a variety of surfaces, like flooring, baseboards, furniture, cabinetry, decking, and doors. It cleans up with soap and water once you’ve finished your project. Minwax Wood Filler comes in various wood grain colors, as well as plain white. Price at time of publish: $9 Within 15 minutes of application, you can sand it by hand or with a power sander. Wait another 15 minutes, and it will be ready for you to stain or paint as you desire. The acrylic-based wood filler requires lacquer thinner for cleanup. It should be used in an area with good ventilation, whether indoors or outside. Wear gloves while working with this product, as it can irritate your skin. Price at time of publish: $23 It’s formulated to resist cracking and shrinking and can be sanded to a perfectly smooth finish. Once dry, you can paint over the white color to match your floorboards, molding, cabinets, doors, or furniture. You can drive nails or screws into it, as well. This reasonably priced wood filler cleans up easily with soap and water. Price at time of publish: $5 The product brushes onto small scratches, but the kit also comes with wood putty for mending deeper cracks and divots. As the name suggests, you can use the kit to fill in imperfections on furniture as well. The kit includes helpful instructions for mixing the various included colors to match any wood tone, whether natural or painted. However, once dry, you can paint over this product if desired. Price at time of publish: $20 The product is a water-based, low-VOC, and low-odor filler, so you can work in the kitchen comfortably. It dries within an hour or so, after which you can apply another coat if needed, or go ahead to lightly sand the cabinets, apply primer, and then paint as desired. The Aqua Coat product itself is white, which makes it easier to see how effectively you’re covering the wood grain, but it can be painted any color you choose once dry. It cleans up with soap and water once you’re done. Price at time of publish: $47 Once dry, Elmer’s Carpenter’s Stainable Wood Filler can be sanded by hand or with a high-speed sanding tool. Then, go ahead and cover it with stain or paint; it will adhere to either just like real wood. It sturdily holds nails and screws and resists cracking and shrinking over time. This solvent-free wood filler cleans up with soap and water. Price at time of publish: $15 This amazingly versatile wood filler does just about anything you need it to; smooth it over light damage, use it to fill in holes or deeper blemishes, or water it down to use as a grain concealer before painting wooden surfaces. However you use it, it dries quickly, it’s easy to sand, and you can rest assured that it won’t crack, sink, or shrink. Additionally, it can be stained or painted once it cures. You can even tint it before it’s applied. Price at time of publish: $55 This pocket-sized wood filler applies like a marker or crayon. It’s wax-based formula dries in as little as 10 minutes, leaving smooth realistic results that make it hard to know there was ever any wood damage at all. It’s perfect to keep on hand for touching up any wooden surfaces in your home, especially if you have active children or pets prone to scratching the floors or furniture. Price at time of publish: $10 This solvent-free product comes in various colors to match real wood species. You can also stain or paint over it in virtually any color, as it’s formulated to accept different types of paint just like solid wood, and it dries with smooth and even results. It comes in sizes up to 1 gallon, making it a good choice if you are facing a large project, as well. Price at time of publish: $15
Water-based wood fillers are easy to use, generally don’t have strong odors, and usually dry quite quickly, some within minutes. Most contain gypsum, cellulose, or wood fibers. They can usually be thinned with water if needed, and clean up with just soap and water. Water-based wood fillers are quite versatile, but are usually best for interior projects. Solvent-based wood fillers are usually vinyl or epoxy. These fillers take longer to dry than water-based products, often an hour or more. They emit more VOCs and are smellier than water-based products, making good ventilation a must when using them. You’ll need a solvent-based cleaner to clean up after using a solvent-based wood filler, such as acetone or turpentine. However, these wood fillers generally are far more resistant to temperature extremes and moisture than water-based products, making them an especially good choice for exterior projects.
Versatility
Wood fillers are intended for a variety of purposes, like filling nail holes, fixing baseboard cracks, or even helping to seal exterior siding. The right wood filler for your next project depends on how and where the filler will be used. If you are working on a small, specialized project, then it’s a good idea to search for a wood filler that has the most accurate color, texture, and resistance for the job. However, in many cases, the user isn’t entirely sure where they will need to use the wood filler, so it may be more beneficial to opt for a light-colored, general-purpose wood filler that is resistant to water, dirt, and dust. This makes it possible to apply the wood filler almost anywhere and have it be suitable for the task. In addition, the light color means that it’s easily paintable to match the wall, ceiling, or baseboard, or any other surface.
Drying Time
One of the easiest mistakes to make with wood filler is to underestimate or overestimate the amount of time required for the filler to dry. Some products, like epoxy fillers, can take several hours to dry and will likely take another 24 hours to cure fully. These products can be beneficial for outdoor repairs, but it’s important to check the weather ahead of time so that the wood filler doesn’t get soaked before it has the chance to set and cure. Latex, or water-based wood fillers dry at a fast pace and they even become water-resistant within an hour or so. That makes them a great option for outdoor repairs. However, if you aren’t paying attention, the wood filler can set before you have the chance to smooth out the texture and create a flush surface. Before deciding on a wood filler for your next project, be sure to note the expected drying time of the product, typically provided by the manufacturer in the product directions.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and homeowner with significant professional and personal experience researching, testing, and reviewing home improvement products. You can find more of her home-related writing on MyDomaine. Timothy Dale, a seasoned home improvement expert specializing in a number of topics, including plumbing, construction, and product recommendations, contributed additional research, as did Michelle Ullman, the home improvement/tools commerce editor for The Spruce. Further input was received from professional joiners Carl Lewis and Joe Ferguson.
