There are many small cracks, dents or holes in wood that are tough to repair. These imperfections can ruin your hard work, regardless of whether it’s an old deck, worn-out outdoor trim or even a piece of furniture. The good news? There’s a simple solution: wood filler.
The thing is that Wood fillers don’t all work in the same way. Selecting the best one to work with for your project could make a huge difference. This guide will tell you when, where and how to properly use woodfiller especially for outdoor projects.
What Exactly is Wood Filler?
The wood filler product is used to smooth out flaws and cover holes on wood surfaces. After drying, wood filler can be painted or stained, making it an ideal product for creating a smooth surface before applying your final coat.
Wood fillers can be found in two forms one being water-based. This is simpler to clean and perfect for indoor use. Solvent-based wood fillers are more durable and are more robust to weather. Selecting the best kind of wood depends on the task you’re undertaking.
When do you need to use wood filler?
If you find a nick, a gouge or gouge, or nail hole on a wood surface you can use wood filler to fix the damage. Here are a few examples of the numerous uses for wood filler:
Repairing furniture damaged
Repairing cracks in doors or window frames
Patching nail holes in trim molding
The sealing of gaps in fencing and decks for outdoor use.
Making sure that the imperfections are filled in prior to staining or painting results in a smoother, more professional look.
Why the importance of exterior wood filler for outdoor projects
Are you working on an outdoor wood-based project such as fencing, decks, or sidings? The wood fillers you use indoors will not be effective outside. The temperature and humidity can cause the wood to expand or shrink. If they’re not specifically designed for outdoor usage, standard fillers could crack or fall over time.
They are strong enough to withstand the elements. They are flexible enough to let them move with wood. This stops the repaired area from degrading with time. The majority of exterior fillers are also resistant to mold and moisture as well in the form of UV rays. This is exactly what you want for outdoor wood surfaces.
How to apply Deck Wood Filler in a Correct Way
Deck wood filler is used to repair larger cracks and gaps on decks for outdoor use. It often comes in easy-to-use tubes that can be used using a standard caulking tool which makes the process of applying simple and quick.
Here’s a brief guide on how to do it correctly.
Take away any dirt, debris and filler that has been used up.
Preparing the Area: Gently rub the the crack to ensure that the filler will be able to adhere correctly.
Apply the Filler. Use a putty-like or caulking tool to push the filler into the damaged region. Fill the area with filler slightly over to allow shrinkage.
Allow it to dry completely Follow the drying time (this may vary based on the thickness and type that is applied).
Sand the area: Once the area is dry and dried, sand it to the same degree as the wood surrounding it. This will give the appearance of a seamless finish.
Prime, paint or stain : Complete your project by painting or staining the surface to the same color.
Small Step, Big Results
Making use of a tube or wood filler initially might not seem to be a huge deal. But if you ask anyone who has not done this and regretted it in the future. It can make all the difference between an amateur DIY task and a polished, professional finish.
If you are restoring the chair or making repairs to an outdoor deck choose the appropriate woodfiller. Choose a woodfiller for exterior use or deck filler if needed to ensure that your hard work will last.
Before you pick up that paintbrush, just remember to first smooth it out then fill it in and finish it. Your wood projects (and the future you) will be thankful for it.