There are instances where wooden furniture would have holes. These could either be due to termites, product inconsistency, or a nail that was once in it.
If your furniture happens to have perforations, it’s best to have it filled before it gets worse. There are two types of products that would fill in perforations in appliances—wood putty and wood filler, in which both are sometimes mistaken as the same. But, these two are more likely to be different than they are to be similar.
Putty Demystified
Most wood putties contain resin oil and calcium carbonate. Some would make their version of the product and add a small amount of sand fiber. Resin gives the plastic, clay-like nature of the product.
Hence, some would call it wood plastic. This product has a stiff, doughy texture. With its texture, it would be tedious to apply by hand, so it is best to make use of a putty knife.
The chemical components of putty are harmful to raw wood. This means you should only use it on varnished and smoothed wood products.
Putty dries hard and slow. Upon use, it would still be adhesive, allowing air particles to stick into the clay. Once it had dried, it can be smoothened with sandpaper.
This product is oil-based, meaning it would take you some time before you can paint over the patch. There would be excess oil present around the dried fill which could be removed upon wiping.
Putty is applicable for outdoor use since it’s heat and water resistant. It also prevents the wood piece from shrinking because of calcium carbonate.
Wood putty is durable and cost-effective. It has a long shelf life so it would not go stiff even if left untouched for several months. In some cases where it does dry up, applying acetone on the product would bring it back to its sticky nature.
The Facts on Fillers
Wood filler, on the other hand, is mostly sawdust and wood fiber. This gives off the grainy texture of the filler and wood-like coloration. As you can imagine, filler is more suitable for larger cracks or holes.
It has several types which are water-based, making it safe to be applied on unfinished wood. Unlike wood putty, it dries faster, making it more convenient when you are rushing.
Though, cheaper than the oil-based product, adding adhesive sealant is needed to keep the filler in place. Furnishes that were sealed using wood fillers were said to crack despite patching. This is due to the product not being resistant to heat.
Its sensitivity towards high temperatures also causes shrinkage of the filler. This creates more time in monitoring the filler after applying. Because of that, filler is only used for indoor applications.
The Bottom Line
This article is not trying to show which of the two is better. Instead, it shows the conditions and applications most suitable for each. As you’ve learned, both putty and filler have their own pros and cons. Well, now that you know, you can decide what to use in case your wooden furniture gets damaged.
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