Top 6 Best Wood Filler for Walnut [Reddit Choices]
Wood fillers are the best substances for covering vacant damages on woods – walls, floors, or furniture. They are usually made of glue and sawdust, making them the most reliable substances because they can be sanded or painted to look as smooth and attractive as the original wood.
There are many brands of wood filers in the market today, and if you are new to these tools, you’ll find it hard to choose which one suits your project. These fillers are made to high-quality standards, while others cannot perform as their manufacturers claim.
Even if you choose high-quality fillers, you must also remember that the fillers are designed for specific uses. For example, some can fill any tiny pores, while others can filler bigger holes.
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To make your work easier, we’ve selected the six best wood filler for walnut from the market today. Any of the wood filters below will serve you to your satisfaction.
1. Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler – Walnut
Whatever type of woodwork project you have, you are bound to have some small dents and holes that need fixing. There’s no better way of fixing these imperfections than using GoodFilla’s Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler. This filler is high-quality and affordable.
It has excellent adhesion and does not crack, sink, or shrink. You just have to apply it once, and whatever imperfection you have will be a thing of the past. This filler flawlessly matches with all stains and finishes.
This filler is formulated for professionals. It is water-based, easy-to-use, and the most innovative of all the fillers you can get out there. You can use it for your professional woodworking projects and your home DIY projects. As a hardcore woodworker will tell you, they prefer fillers with unlimited shelf life, and that’s what this filler offers. You can reconstitute it with water, and it is thaw-freeze stable.
This Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler is consistent and hardy. Whether you want to repair a piece of furniture, finish an instrument, complete a craft, or finish a floor, this filler will do an impressive job.
You can use it to seal, fill, prime, or stain any surface with an imperfection. And once it dries, you’ll find it easy to sand. Its most significant advantage is that it’s non-toxic, VOC-free, and produces no waste.
Pros
- It doesn’t dry quickly, giving you time to work.
- Accepts oil and won’t change color.
- Easy to clean the surface after application.
- High-quality and affordable.
Cons
- It comes in a limited color range.
- Sometimes doesn’t blend well with stain.
2. Elmer’s E859 Carpenter’s Wood Filler
Elmer’s Product, Inc is a reputable company known for providing creative, high-quality adhesive solutions to woodworkers. All their products turn ideas into reality by supporting success, and this E859 Carpenter’s Wood Filler doesn’t disappoint. Because a trusted brand produces it, you can be 100% sure it will serve the purpose for which it is made.
You’ll appreciate this product because it dries very fast and to a hard consistency. This means you’ll not waste time waiting for it to dry, nor will you be worried about whether the holes and dents are permanently fixed. When you apply this filler well then finish the wood perfectly, it will be difficult to tell that the part had an issue. It will look exactly like the rest of the wood.
Because it dries hard, it will also help hold our nails and screws in place, more so because it resists cracking and shrinking. Your material will maintain its original shape after you apply this filler. The filler is great for repairing gouges and holes.
It is easy to sand and paint after it dries, resulting in a smooth surface. The filler comes in resealable tubes (3.25 ounces), making it great for small jobs. In addition, it’s good at resisting cracks and won’t shrink easily.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Makes tasks quickly.
- It dries hard and does not shrink.
- Easy to clean up.
Cons
- Very flaky after drying.
- Not very strong.
3. DAP 584 Series 00584 6oz Walnut Latex Plastic Wood
With DAP 584 Series 00584 6oz Walnut Latex Plastic Wood filling dents and holes in wood will be child’s play. This filler makes the work easy because it’s easy to apply. You can use it to fix holes, gouges, cracks, dents, etc., and the outcome will depend on your expertise. If you use it well, no one can know there was an issue with your wood.
It will work perfectly if you follow the instructions, and if you want better results, don’t put a thick layer at once. Instead, put a thin layer, let it cure/dry, then add the next layer. Continue doing so until you fill the hole/crack/gouge. It dries hard and is very adhesive. That’s why it finds its way into many workshops and homes.
You’ll love this filler because it doesn’t crack or shrink. It will retain its shape the way you applied it and won’t even interfere with the shape of your furniture and the surface you applied it on.
It will hold your nails or screws well, so you don’t have to worry that they may become loose. It is easy to clean up – just use water. If you want to adjust its color, you can do so before applying it because once it dries, it will not be possible to stain it.
Pros
- Excellent for repairing holes, gouges, and cracks.
- Crack and shrink resistant.
- Strong screw and nail anchoring.
- Very durable.
Cons
- It takes time to apply – you’ve got to apply it in layers.
- Hard to stain.
4. Minwax high performance wood filler review – Color Matched Walnut Wood Filler.
If you want several wood projects at hand, you need a versatile filler like Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler for a perfect job. This no-sand formula can help you fill gouges, nail holes, cracks, and other defects in unfinished or finished wood.
This formula can be used indoors or outdoors on various surfaces, including doors, decking, cabinetry, furniture, baseboards, and flooring. The optimal strength of this formula is what makes it ideal for both outdoor and indoor jobs. This is enhanced by the fact that it is also water-resistant.
It sticks well and comes in various colors, so you can choose whichever matches the color of the surface you are working on.
Minwax Color-Matched Wood Filler is a high-performance filler and putty of epoxy composition and make. It is very strong and can even hold large nails or screws once it dries up.
This filler dries very fast, just like epoxy glue. After mixing this it, Minwax wood filler can be applied on wood and a wide range of other materials such as fiberglass, ceramics, plastic, metal, and many wood-based materials; once you apply it, you only have to wait for only about 15 – 30 minutes to dry before sanding.
Pros
- Available in many colors and shades to choose from
- Can bond well with almost all surfaces
- It is very hard when dry, can effectively hold nails and screws
- No shrink o cracks issues
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Must be used quickly after mixing
- It’s expensive
- Two-part mixing, which is a little cumbersome
5. Minwax 13617000 Wood Putty, 3.75 Ounce, Walnut
The Minwax Wood Putty will get your woodwork done perfectly. You can use it to fill nail holes and many other minor imperfections in finished, strained, bare, or painted wood. The most significant advantage of this putty is that it matches many wood finish stains.
It is a pre-mixed, non-hardening putty suitable for fixing small holes and covering minor imperfections.
This putty is easy to use, permanent, and quick. You won’t have to wait long after applying it to start using the surface because no sanding would be necessary after using this product. If you don’t want to involve yourself in mixing many hues to match colors, this formula is for you.
Though it’s not a paintable hard-set finish, this putty will stay pliable for small chips and gouges. It’s great when you live in a rented apartment, and you don’t want to alter the hardwood floors and other fixtures.
You can use it to fix minor deformities to keep the house and other fixtures neat without replacing any components. In addition, it can withstand cleaning and will moisturize surfaces rather than drying them out.
Minwax is a reputable company in America and is a known brand when it comes to manufacturing high-quality wood care and wood finishing products. From protection and staining to repair, cleaning, maintenance, and preparation, Minwax will make and keep your wood beautiful.
Pros
- Easy to use and permanent.
- Bonds well to wood.
- Color-matched to make wood repairs easier.
- Pre-mixed.
Cons
- Not suitable for surfaces that are touched regularly.
- May attract dust.
- It doesn’t harden, unsinkable .
6. Color Putty Company, Dark Walnut
If you don’t want to deal with so many hues to color-match, the Color Putty Company, Dark Walnut, is awesome. Though it’s not a paintable hard-set finish putty, it stays pretty pliable for small chips and gouges. This product is what you need if you are renting an apartment and need to fill small holes from time to time without spending much.
You can also use it in your home or workshop, depending on the project you have at hand. This putty doesn’t alter the appearance of hardwood floors and will withstand cleaning and moisturizes well because it’s oil-based.
The Color Putty Company, Dark Walnut putty comes ready to use, so you don’t have to waste time mixing and matching colors. Instead, just open the tube and start your work. Another thing you’ll like with this filler is that it has very little odor.
This product is also compatible with all oil-based sealers, making it very popular among woodworkers. Furthermore, it is suitable for both internal and external use because it is water-resistant.
Being an oil-based putty, it is not advisable to use bare wood and is not recommended for floor or tabletops. This is because it doesn’t dry to sandable hardness. However, you can mix it with any oil-based putty color shades to create a blend of your choice to match your unique wood tones.
Pros
- It comes ready to use.
- Easy to apply.
- Oil-based.
- For indoor and outdoor use.
- Withstands cleaning.
Cons
- It doesn’t dry to sandable hardness.
- Very oily.
Buying Guide: Choosing a Good Quality Walnut Wood Filler
Wood fillers aren’t the same. Some are manufactured to high standards, while others can’t deliver what they promise. Here are some of the things you should consider when buying a wood filler.
Solvent Vs. Water Wood Fillers
Wood fillers can be solvent-based or water-based. Solvent-based fillers contain vinyl or epoxy as their main components. They provide a stronger bond and hold. They take about 60 minutes to dry. The fillers are smelly because of their high VOC content.
They are more resistant to extreme heat and cold, rot, water, and humidity, making them more suitable for outdoor use.
Water-based wood fillers contain cellulose, wood fiber, or gypsum. They have low VOC content, which makes them less smelly. They are most suitable for indoor projects and for projects that need thinner filler. They take about 15 minutes to dry.
Task
Fillers are formulated for specific uses. For example, some are used to fill divots, gouges, and holes in woods, while others are designed to fill pores in open-grain woods like oak and elm.
Outdoor Vs. Indoor Use
Some fillers are designed explicitly for external/internal use, while others can be used indoors and outdoors. If you work both indoors and outdoors, you can buy wood fillers that can serve you in both situations to save cost.
Consistency
The consistency of a filler matters a lot. Generally, thick fillers are great for filling voids, while thinner fillers can be used in filing pores. Choose a filler whose consistency fits your project. Some thick fillers can be thinned by adding water.
Ingredients
The ingredients of wood fillers differ, so does their adhesive quality. Wood fillers made of wood fiber are not hard to sand after drying. Wood fillers made of wood grain become wood after they dry, and once they dry, you can stain, carve, sand, or paint them. The bottom line is to choose a wood filler whose ingredients suit your project and does not contain any harmful chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Staining an area after filling it is often a big challenge because the filler may fail to absorb the stain. Also, as a good woodworker, you’d not want your finished work to have patches of different colors but to be uniform.
One way of hiding wood filler to get a uniform surface is to use a pre-stain conditioner before adding the stain.
When you are using the pre-stain conditioner, follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Another way of hiding wood filler is to apply the filler to all the holes before sanding the entire surface.
The time it takes for a wood filler to dry varies from one filler to another. Some fillers can dry in 30 minutes, while others can take up to eight or more hours. In addition, some fillers dry too hard while others remain soft even after “drying.”
The choice of filler depends on the type of project you have. The time of drying also depends on the thickness of the applied filler. When the filler is applied thinly, it will dry faster. The converse is true for a thick layer of filler. If you want to sand the surface after applying the filler, you can choose a filler that dries hard.
To fill large holes in wood, you’ll need a knife, damp paper towels, 220 grit sandpaper, 120 grit sandpaper, a good wood filler, wood glue, and small wood pieces or popsicle sticks.
The popsicles are for paint stirring and hole patching. Attach the popsicle to the back of the hole using wood glue. As the glue dries, mix your filler. Follow the direction provided on the can/tube. Apply the filler to the hole, being careful not to put too much or too little.
Give the filler time to dry. Once you are sure it is dry, you can sand the surface. Again, choose the best sandpaper to give you a good finish.
Patching flaws and filling nail holes is fairly easy using wood fillers available in the market. The problem comes when you want to match the color of the stain used on the wood to that of the filler. There are three ways of going about this.
First, you can use a pre-stained condition on your softwood, such as birch, maple, fir, or pine. Applying the conditioner before filling the hole will prevent the surrounding wood from absorbing the filler.
The second method is to apply the wood filler before you sand the whole project. Doing this will ensure the surrounding wood plus the filler are sanded simultaneously, thus reducing the chances of having textural differences. Finally, the third method is to create your custom color-filler.
Walnut wood is considered to be the finest wood for many woodworks. Its color ranges from purple-brown to rich brown. Rarely will a walnut wood be stained because, naturally, it’s so gorgeous. However, what you can do is stain your wood so its color matches that of walnut.
Final Thoughts
Wood fillers and wood putty serve almost the same purpose, but they are different. With wood putty, you can only use oil-based finishes. This means it isn’t as versatile as wood filler, more so because its drying time is longer.
Wood fillers work well when dealing with all kinds of wood blemishes, holes, gouges, scratches, or splits. The wood fillers discussed above are the best in the market today. They dry well and will make your furniture or floor look as good as new. You can choose whichever you want depending on your unique needs.
