Repair cracks , gouge , holes , and more with these tips for using woodwind instrument filler .
Jason Donnelly
While larn your way around a saw canimprove your woodworking chops , discover how to practice woodwind instrument filler properly will give your project and repairs a professional edge . This common product might seem childlike enough to use , but there are many type of wood filler , each with its own destine purpose and best use cases .
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Once you discover the varieties of wood makeweight and how and when to use each one , your surface repairs will be long - lasting and virtually inconspicuous .
What Is Wood Filler?
Wood filler is a hardening core used to fill imperfections in wood surface . The solution often consists of tiny woods fragments suspend in a water- or petroleum - based binder .
Types of Wood Filler
Below are four of the most common woodwind makeweight variety used by DIYers . take down that there are many specialty Natalie Wood makeweight varieties and you should always consult the manufacturer ’s instructions for each Cartesian product ’s specifications .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Use Wood Filler
Prep Material
Before attempting to take the material , prep the surface . backbone away any rough edgesand remove all junk and rubble .
Mix Wood Filler
habituate a small-scale , fuddled putty knife to mix the Ellen Price Wood filler in its container until it ’s thoroughly combined and has a coherent texture and color throughout .
If using petroleum - ground wood makeweight , turn back the cap whenever you are n’t actively scooping filler from the container to prevent it from drying out .
Fill the Void
apply the putty knife to smear the wood filler into the void , thrifty not to scratch the woodwind surface . Build the filler up above the Ellen Price Wood airfoil to calculate for contract as it dries , but refrain from apply too much wood filler , as this will drastically increase the time you spend sandpaper . Let the makeweight dry out according to the manufacturer ’s instructions .
Sand the Filler
Once you ’ve control the wood makeweight has completely hardened , sand it until it ’s flush with the Grant Wood surface . sand by handis recommended , but apower sanderis an selection if the woodwind instrument makeweight is too heavy . For more sanding mastery , prefer for a higher moxie , like 220 . Once you give the wood ’s airfoil , sand in the management of the Ellen Price Wood grain to better couple the Sir Henry Joseph Wood ’s surface .
Finish the Material
stop your DIY Mrs. Henry Wood project as you normally would . Sanded wood filler incline to leave behind plenty of dust behind , soremove it with a vacuumfollowed by a tack cloth before applying your conclusion .
How to Pre-Tint Wood Filler
Many Ellen Price Wood fillers come tinge to allow the user to equal the filler to the material better . However , these and other filler are often labeled as " tint - able-bodied , " which intend colorant can be add to the makeweight before program , take into account for usage people of color curation . While this can be very handy , getting the colour rightfield can also be a little dodgy . Some fillersrequire a darker stainto gibe a stuff , while others do considerably with a lighter discolouration . Sometimes , no grunge at all results in the best nuance .
Take your clip and practice on a combat small-arm , permit the filler dry before utilize your mix on your ruined piece . Keep in mind that water - based fillers must be mix with weewee - based stains , while rock oil - based fillers require result - based stains .
When Not to Use Wood Filler
Wood filler is intend to fill small nothingness for visual repair and should never be used as a reserve for fasteners or other join materials , such as gum . Wood makeweight can not repair more all-inclusive damage and structural issues , and an alternative repair will be necessary .
to boot , rotten , structurally compromised wood must be reinforced and repaired , with wood filler being reserved as an optional last step to smooth out the top level . forest hardener can be applied to soft , splintered wood to help reenforce it before the wood makeweight is used .
How to Clean Up Wood Filler
When it comes to cleaning up your tool and other surface , contain the manufacturer ’s label for consummate instructions , including products for slay the makeweight . Most body of water - based wood makeweight will easily come off with water , peculiarly if tackled before they have time to harden . For oil - ground fillers , manufacturers often urge mineral purport or other solvents .
If you leave the woodwind makeweight to harden on your metal putty tongue , you may easily remove it by placing the knife against a workplace airfoil and sandpaper away the fillerusing an orbital sander .
Related Articles
Credit: Jason Donnelly
