I Tested And Reviewed 8 Best Exterior Wood Filler For Large Holes (2023)

I recently purchased the Van Votz wood putty for a special project involving an old bench from the Seaview Pool in Canarsie, Brooklyn. This bench holds great sentimental value for me, so I wanted to ensure that the wood putty I used would be reliable and effective.

Upon using the Van Votz wood putty, I found that it performed exceptionally well. The consistency of the putty is slightly thinner than most wood putties, resembling cake icing. However, this thinner consistency did not hinder its performance. It was easy to spread and adhered to the surface of the bench with no issues.

One aspect I particularly liked about the Van Votz wood putty is that it is available in various colors. I was able to obtain it in blue, which perfectly matched my plan to paint the bench in its original color. After filling in all the wear and tear on the bench, I am confident that the Van Votz wood putty will provide a solid foundation for the paint to adhere to.

In addition to the bench project, I also used the Van Votz wood putty to fill screw heads on my deck railing. It was a breeze to apply and dried overnight. However, I did notice that it shrinks slightly when dried, necessitating the application of a second layer for complete coverage.

While the Van Votz wood putty is primarily designed for exterior surfaces, I see no reason why it cannot be used indoors as well. The container size is similar to that of pre-made cake frosting, and the consistency of the putty is also comparable. It can be easily troweled on, resembling spackle for walls, and adheres well to wood surfaces. It effectively fills shallow gouges, cracks, and nail heads. However, for larger openings, the thinner viscosity of the putty can pose a challenge. In such cases, a thicker putty or multiple coats may be required to achieve a satisfactory fill.

For instance, I encountered some deep holes created by woodpeckers in the middle of a board. While the Van Votz wood putty worked well for smaller faults, it took multiple applications to completely fill the larger holes. The thinner consistency required additional coats to build up the fill to the surface. On the other hand, I had no issues with filling cracks, dimples, faults, and knots using the Van Votz wood putty.

After conducting thorough research and watching multiple videos on the application of this wood filler, I decided to give it a try and I must say, I am pleasantly surprised by the results. As an avid 3D printing enthusiast, I have found this product to be an excellent solution for filling gaps and imperfections in my 3D prints.

Although specifically designed for wood, this wood filler works just as well on my 3D printed models. It seamlessly blends in with the surrounding material, making any gaps or imperfections virtually disappear. This is crucial for achieving a professional-looking final product.

One of the standout features of this wood filler is its ease of use. The application process is simple and straightforward, and the filler dries quickly. This is particularly important for me as I often have multiple prints to finish, and the fast drying time allows me to complete my projects in a timely manner.

Another notable aspect of this wood filler is its durability. Unlike other fillers, it does not shrink or crack as it dries. This ensures that the repaired areas remain intact and do not deteriorate over time.

Furthermore, this wood filler is easy to sand down to a smooth finish. This is essential for achieving the desired level of precision and detail in my 3D prints. The smooth finish also adds to the overall aesthetics of the final product.

In terms of value for money, this wood filler offers great affordability. The 32-ounce container is quite large and will last a long time, even with frequent use. Considering its effectiveness and longevity, it is definitely worth the investment.

I have been a woodworking hobbyist for many years and have tried various wood putty and spackle products, but I always go back to using Dap. This product is my go-to when it comes to filling holes and voids in wood.

One of the things I appreciate about Dap is its quick drying time. If the hole is made by a finish nail, staple, or a small ding in the wood, this product dries fairly quickly. For very small holes, I prefer using my finger instead of a putty knife because it leaves less Plastic Wood to sand.

I have found that leaving a small amount of Plastic Wood above the hole is crucial. This allows for a flush finish when sanding, preventing the need to reapply filler. Another helpful tip is to sand the entire project before applying Dap. This way, you only need to focus on sanding the patched holes.

I have used both an orbital sander and hand sanding techniques with this product, and both have yielded good results. Dap sands really well and doesn't require heavy grit or aggressive sanding to level it out.

In addition to my positive experiences with Dap, I want to highlight a customer review that speaks to its effectiveness in repairing significant damage to a door frame. The reviewer mentions that their large puppy caused chunks to be missing from the frame, including corners and edges. Instead of replacing the entire door frame, they were able to sculpt the spaces back in with Wood-X before sanding and repainting. The final result was as good as new.

The reviewer also notes that Dap takes around 36 hours to dry for thicker applications, and it's important to allow it to fully dry before sanding. They appreciate the resealable tub, which allows them to keep the leftovers on hand for any future accidents. They also mention that the product changes color when dry, making it easier to paint over.

I recently had a project where I needed to patch up some rot on the side of my house behind the siding. After removing the rot and sealing the area with J-B Weld 40001 Wood Restore Liquid Hardener, I realized I needed to fill in the deep area. Initially, I tried using Bondo Wood Filler due to its quick drying times, but I found it difficult to use and had some issues with the smell and leftover product in the can.

Based on positive reviews, I decided to give Minwax filler a try, and I'm glad I did. This product was easy to work with, applied smoothly, and sanded well. It also appeared to be very water-resistant after drying. The only downsides were the waiting time between layers and the need to clean tools promptly, as leaving the filler on them overnight proved difficult to remove even after soaking in water.

Minwax filler is a great option if you're planning to paint over the filled area, especially if you prime it first. While it can be stained, it may not blend in perfectly, so keep that in mind. Personally, I found it easier to work with than the Elmer's brand and was able to accomplish more with it. In the attached photo, you can see the Minwax filler in yellow and the Elmer's in orange.

After completing my project, I plan to seal the remaining Minwax filler in a vacuum bag to preserve it for future use. Overall, I'm satisfied with the performance of this wood filler and would recommend it for filling small imperfections, brad-nailer holes, and mis-fitting pieces in woodworking projects. It dries quickly, sands easily, and takes stain well, although the color may vary depending on the wood used and its stain absorption.

The KwikWood repair putty is a life saver for anyone dealing with damaged wood surfaces. Whether it's a chewed corner on a pillar or a dog-inflicted hole in the wood siding of a house, this product is easy to use and provides a reliable solution.

The process of using the KwikWood putty is simple. Just tear off a piece, manipulate it in your fingers to change the texture and moldability, and apply it to the damaged area. It's recommended to apply multiple layers, allowing 15 minutes to half an hour of drying time in between each layer. This method is especially effective for deep holes, as it allows for easier building up of the damaged area.

After achieving the desired size and shape, let the putty dry overnight. Once dry, sand it down to smooth out the edges and make it even with the surrounding areas. A fresh coat of paint can also be applied for a seamless finish.

One user found this product to be a game changer when it came to repairing their dog's chewing damage. Instead of hiring a handyman, they took a chance on the KwikWood putty and were pleasantly surprised. The directions were clear, and the product dried quickly, allowing for same-day repairs. The only caution is to keep it out of reach of pets and children, as it smells like peanut butter. Overall, this user saved themselves a significant amount of money and achieved a repair they were proud of.

Another user was specifically looking for a product that could replace damaged wood and provide the necessary strength and structural integrity for subsequent drilling, screwing, mounting, and more. After reading numerous reviews, they decided to give the KwikWood putty a try. They were not disappointed. This user had previously tried similar products from other companies but found them to be lacking in durability. However, the KwikWood putty exceeded their expectations. It successfully filled a deep cavity and hardened to a density comparable to stone. Cutting it down to the desired shape was a bit challenging, but the user found that using a flat head Xacto blade with a hammer worked well. The putty was also able to accept and hold screws, making it a reliable option for various repairs.

I have recently been repairing my 20-year-old exterior deck made of 5/4" cedar decking. While the superstructure is still in good condition, I noticed that some of the boards were rotting at the points where staples were used to fasten them down. To address this issue, I decided to scrape out the rot and fill it with a wood filler.

After trying different options, I found that a two-part epoxy auto body filler worked well, but I was looking for a one-part filler that could be used straight from the can and dried quickly while still allowing enough time for working and leveling. Last fall, I experimented with a water-based exterior filler and applied two coats of a solid latex Behr deck stain on top. Unfortunately, the filler failed under the overcoat after a few days of wet weather, causing the overcoat to fail as well. It seemed that the cedar decking allowed enough moisture to penetrate from the unpainted sides and underneath, compromising the filler.

Despite the winter weather conditions, I managed to find a few suitable days to test Plastic Wood for the repairs. I removed the failed filler and applied the Plastic Wood, requiring multiple applications to fill the deeper repairs. Surprisingly, even without a protective coat, the Plastic Wood held up well during freezing temperatures, snow, and rain. On another day with slightly warmer weather, I applied some Behr stain over the Plastic Wood repairs. So far, the repairs have held up remarkably well, feeling firm, solid, and hard when pressed with my finger. While there is still a possibility of failure in the future, this test run has given me confidence that Plastic Wood is the ideal choice for this type of repair.

As a 69-year-old who has been using Plastic Wood for approximately 50 years, I find it to be a reliable product. I don't frequently use it, so my previous tube had dried out. However, I discovered that you can reconstitute it with Acetone, although I didn't have enough left to do so, prompting me to purchase this can. I anticipate that this can will last me for the next 5 to 10 years. It's worth noting that the exterior of the can is intentionally printed upside down, allowing you to store it upside down with the printing right side up. This design feature prevents all the product from settling at the bottom of the can when you invert it and remove the lid. I recall that the old cans were also designed this way, so it's not a mistake.

I recently purchased this product and I must say, it works exactly as advertised. I had some gaps around the corners of my high-quality vinyl tile and this product was the perfect solution. The color match to my grey-toned 'barn wood' look tile was spot on.

I also had a deep scratch on my engineered wood floor and was dreading the idea of having to replace the entire section. However, this product came to the rescue and covered up the scratch perfectly. In fact, unless you know where the scratch was, you wouldn't be able to tell at all. It was definitely the best purchase I've made for fixing flooring issues.

What impressed me the most about this product was its versatility. I had a weird edge between concrete and linoleum that needed to be sealed, and this putty did the job perfectly. It may be a bit runnier than what one would typically expect from a sealant, but for my specific purposes, it worked like a charm.

I also had a chip in my Shaw Cut Pine LVP in my newly built home, and I didn't want to go through the hassle of dealing with warranties. I found this product on Amazon and decided to give it a try. The color turned out to be a great match for the planks, and once applied, the chip became virtually invisible. I applied two coats to ensure a smooth surface, and now there's nothing to catch on the chip.

Elmer's wood putty is a highly effective product for filling holes in wood and other materials. I recently used it to fill screw holes in wood trim around my front door, and the results were impressive. After applying the putty and sanding it down, the wood trim looked smooth and seamless. I decided to apply another layer for a flawless finish, and after painting, it was impossible to tell where the screws were located. While I cannot speak to its "stainable" aspect, it worked excellently for painting purposes.

One of the standout features of Elmer's wood putty is its composition. It contains small wood particles, giving it a realistic texture and ensuring long-lasting durability. Sanding the putty was just as easy as sanding real wood, making the whole process convenient and efficient.

In terms of usability, Elmer's wood putty is a breeze to work with. I have been using it for three years now and have never encountered any issues during application, sanding, or even staining. While the consistency is already fine, adding a little water can help make it spread even more easily. The best part is that it doesn't require any additional chemicals to harden and dry, simplifying the process further.

The only drawback of this product is its lid. The sealing lips could have been made bigger to ensure better sealing. Even when the lid is tightly closed, a dry crust can form on the bottom or along the top edges. To prevent this, it is crucial to put the lid on immediately after use and ensure that the crevices on the bottom of the lid and the lips around the top of the container are clean and free of any dried substance. If you don't use it in large quantities and very often, it is advisable to purchase smaller containers to prevent drying out.