June 23, 2022

If you’ve worked on woodworking projects before, you know how wood filler works. Or maybe, you have an upcoming repair soon, and you’re starting to familiarize yourself. Whatever the reason, we all know wood filler can hide blemishes, deficiencies, and other damages on wood surfaces.
During home repair, you can blend the wood filler into the damaged surface. Blending can create a smooth, slick backdrop. Then, you’re free to paint whatever you like!
You don’t have to use excess layers of paint to make those holes and bumps invisible. Wood filler is the answer to make your job quicker and easier.
But how does it happen?
Today, we take you on a step-by-step guide on using wood filler before painting.
What You May Need:
- Sandpaper
- Scraper
- Tack cloth
- Chosen filler
- Putty knife
- Primer
- Paint or stain (optional)
Step 1: Assess The Damaged Area
Before starting on any home repair, see what you need to do for everything to fix itself up.
First, see what the damage is like on the wood. Are there any scratches, gouges, and blemishes? Which one strikes the eye first?
How long do you think the repair will take place? Is the damage so extensive it’ll take days, or is a few hours is more than enough?
Finally, either memorize the wood tone or get a scrap to bring with you to the store.
Step 2: Choose Your Wood Filler
Now, it’s time to apply the information you got from above to choosing the ideal filler for your needs.
Solvent-based wood fillers are more durable. They can withstand moisture, resist shrinkage, and won’t break under fluctuating climate conditions. If you have damage outdoors or you need something this heavy-duty for interior projects, go for solvent-based.
Water-based wood fillers are much easier to clean up. Their formula is perfect for interior projects, while they may not last outdoors.
Usually, it’s a good idea to get stainable wood fillers. You can apply a stain afterward to match the wood tone you’re working with for the project.
Matching wood is the purpose of the wood scrap. Buy some wood stain on your way out of the wood filler shop.
Get some paint, too.
Alternatively, some wood fillers already come in pre-colored. If you think the color is enough and you don’t need to stain, you can save more money.
Step 3: Tidy Up The Area
Before repairing the wood, tidy up the area. There may be flakes of wood or paint chips, so scrape it all off. Get as much as you can out of the area.
Next, get the sandpaper out. Rub at the rough edges to make sure the repair will go smoothly. You don’t want your final area to have visible edges and bumps.
If there are still loose fibers and a scraper won’t do, get some scissors! Make sure to be safe.
For small holes, you can use a flat-head screwdriver. Drive it in and rotate it inside the hole to clear any debris.
After, use a shop vacuum or a damp tack cloth. Both can clear away dust and debris so you can have the smoothest surface possible.
However, if you use a damp tack cloth, make sure the area dries first. Then, go on to the next step.
Step 4: Apply Filler
If you’re working with holes, make sure to overfill them. Spread just enough to have excess. The filler you chose might shrink, so it’s better to have excess, just in case.
Grains can benefit from the water-based filler.
After applying the filler, you can smooth everything over with a putty knife. If you overfilled too much and it’s not as smooth as you like, don’t worry! You can still sand everything down later.
Step 5: Wait For Everything to Dry
Congrats on making it halfway through! After such hard work, you can rest. After all, the filler has to dry.
Check the brand you brought. The quickest fillers can dry in fifteen minutes, but some can take up to eight hours. If you can, leave the filler be for the day.
Step 6: Sand The Filler Down
Before sanding, make sure the filler is dry first. If it is, you can go ahead and sand everything down.
Moderate to high grain sandpaper is a must. Apply even pressure and make sure everything becomes smooth and flat as you work.
Never skip this step! Being rough with your application and not sanding properly can result in a lot of obvious bumps and edges.
Step 7: Clean The Area
Moisten a piece of cloth with warm water and wipe the surface down. You want to get rid of the debris the sandpaper didn’t get. Make sure everything that’s flaking off is even enough to paint on!
You can check if everything’s even by running your hand over the area. Sometimes, eyeballing the repair isn’t enough. See if the wood is level.
Depending on how the application went, you might have to repeat the process for holes not filled. Add more filler, wait, sand it down, clean, then check again.
Step 8: Apply The Primer
If you’re painting the area, apply primer first. Even if you know you can paint over your fillers, you want to even out the look. Wood can soak up paint, and primer can prevent this.
Be on the lookout for latex or oil-based primer. Ask around your local shop to see what’s suitable for your project, especially if it’s raw wood.
Primer can fill in the grain, so you end up with a slick, smooth surface for the final coat of paint.
Step 9: Paint Or Stain The Area
You’re at the final step! Again, make sure everything is level and even.
Then, check the paint or stain you want to use. Even if you were sure it matches the area, it’s better to test it first. You don’t want any regrets – or to throw out a project.
If it matches, paint and stain everything. Wait for both the paint and stain to dry.
You’ve successfully applied wood filler! Congratulations on your home repair project.
We hope this step-by-step guide helped. Remember to check off everything in the required list first, so you’re ready to go in a day. If you start early, even waiting eight hours is nothing.
Don’t be intimidated by any home repair project. Everything is doable! Enjoy the fruits of your labor and be more confident the next time a woodworking project rolls around.
How to Use Wood Filler Before Painting?
Wood usually exhibits hairline cracks, small holes, and minor damage that you can fill with wood filler. One popular wood filler is the Polyfilla, which you can quickly put on using a scraper or filling knife. You will find this wood filler easy to use. Besides, it is available in dry powder, which you mix with water, and is water-soluble.
You can also find ready-mixed wood filler in tubes or tubs equipped with shaped nozzles. This way, you can squirt a neat amount of wood filler around the corners and edges.
Is it Okay to Paint Over Wood Filler?
es, you can paint over wood filler. You should apply primer or paint over the wood filler after you’ve applied the wood filler. For example, if you sell or paint used furniture, you must apply wood filler over the scratch, cracks, and other incurred flaws. Afterward, you can paint over the surface to make the furniture look new.
Can You Paint Straight into Filler?
Yes, you can paint straight into the filler. Epoxy wood fillers, for example, are undoubtedly resistant to dust, dirt, and water and are durable. You can paint or stain them. When wood filling, you can take down the first coat before you apply the wood filler.
Once the wood filler is applied, you can use one paint coat. Then, apply a second coat with 20% water to thin your paint. You can expect a uniform surface appearance after applying paint.
Can I Paint Over Those Stainable Wood Filler?
Yes, you can paint over stainable wood filler. Most wood fillers are designed to take stains. However, stained wood filler might look different from the surrounding surface, creating a not-so-good appearance. This problem, of course, becomes more apparent when you work with lighter stains.
To remedy this problem, when you apply wood filler, it will be good to sand the wood after using the filler. Then, apply the stain by wiping it to let the wood absorb it evenly.
Should I Apply Wood Filler Before I Paint?
If you’re working on a piece of wood furniture that has incurred much damage, you must apply wood filler to patch up the damage. You can also patch screw or nail holes on your workpiece. You can also use wood filler on cracks and scratches. Afterward, you can paint the surface to ensure a smooth and flawless finish.
How Long Does Wood Filler Dry?
Wood filler dries quickly. It will not take you an hour of waiting to dry the wood filler. Most probably, within thirty minutes, the wood filler will dry. But if you want to ensure that the wood filler has already completely dried, you can give it an hour before you sand the surface and paint over it.
Is There Any Way I Can Make the Wood Filler Dry Quickly?
The length of drying depends on the thickness of your putty. If the putty is thick, it will take longer to dry. You can air-dry the filler by directing an oscillating fan towards the surface of the putty. This way, you can speed up the drying process of the filler. You can also raise the temperature of the puttied surface to dry it fast.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.