Wood putty is one of the most fundamental woodworking accessories a woodworker needs in their workshop. Without wood putty and wood fillers, nail holes, chips, cracks, and even small rot would ruin most wood projects.
This is why wood putty is a handy accessory for woodwork. Although wood putty and wood filler are always used interchangeably, there is a clear distinction between the two, and you should pick appropriately for your needs.
If you are looking for the right wood putty for your woodwork projects, you have come to the right place. There are many brands offering wood putty on the market, though not all of them work as they should.
In this article, we will be telling you about the six best wood putty types for your woodworking needs and what you should consider when looking for one.
Best Wood Putty Reviews
Here we have compiled a list of the six best options on the market. Let’s see how they stack up!
1. System Three 1600K10 SculpWood Putty Kit
If you are looking for a wood repair solution to any of your woodwork projects, this is one of the best ones you will find on the market.
It is perfect for repairing small wood rot, nail holes, cracks, and dents on wood. It’s pretty easy to mix: all you need is equal parts of each product and you have a perfect mix. It applies easily as the mixture works just like molding clay. (Remember to use gloves with the mixture.)
The System Three 1600k10 sculpwood putty works great on both indoor projects as well as outdoor products.
You get about 15 minutes of molding time before it starts to set. It takes 24 hours to become fully cured. After it cures, you can drill, chisel, as well as sand it, just like you would a piece of wood. You have to be careful as it does not chisel exactly like wood. Instead, it shatters when you apply excessive force.
Pros
- You get 15 minutes of molding and applying
- You can drill, chisel, and sand it
- Perfect for wood repair
- You can paint on it
Cons
- You have to wait 24 hours for it to fully cure
2.System Three 1600K20 SculpWood Putty Kit
This wood putty works perfectly on wood repair where the wood has chipped, rotted, cracked, or where you just want to hide nail holes on your woodwork projects.
It has a very easy to mix formula: all you need are equal parts of each ingredient and you will have the perfect wood putty.
It is easy to work with because the mixture works just like molding clay. You have a 15 to 30 minute window of application before the putty starts to set, which is enough time to align everything the way you want it.
Once you have applied the putty, you have to give it time to cure. It takes 24 hours to fully cure and form a strong bond with the wood. It will not shrink, crack, or sag after drying.
When the putty dries, you can carve, screw, nail, or sand it just like you would a piece of natural wood. It’s paintable too, and this allows you to match it with the rest of the wood.
Pros
- Bonds strongly with wood
- You can screw, sand, or nail it just like wood
- It’s easy to mix
- Easy to use
Cons
- You have to stall your project for 24 hours before you can work the putty
3. Wood-Tex Wood Putty
If you are looking for wood putty that makes your woodworking easy, this is it. It’s ideal for repairing chipping, rot, holes, cracks, and any other defects you might have.
It’s very easy to use as it molds just like cray. It is waterproof, so you will not have to worry about it coming undone when it comes into contact with water or moisture.
It forms a very strong bond with wood and does not shrink, crack, or become brittle. You can sand it, or work it just like you would a piece of wood.
There are different natural wood colors, and you can buy the one that goes best with the kind of wood you are working with. This allows the repaired parts to just blend in with the wood.
This wood putty dries fast (in about 7 to 15 minutes), which gives you enough molding and alignment time. It will become fully cured in 24 hours.
Unlike other wood putties, this wood putty is stainable and you can apply your preferred finish to your woodwork project when you are done.
Pros
- Available in different wood colors
- Easy to use
- Stainable
- A strong bond with the wood
Cons
- You have to let it cure fully before you can work on it
4. Minwax 236184444 Wood Putty
Minwax woodwork products are some of the most trusted on the market. The best thing about a Minwax woodwork product is that you can get other complementary products for your products. In this case, for instance, you can buy a wood stain that goes well with this putty.
It comes premixed, which makes your work very easy as all you have to do is apply. There’s no need for mixing a formula or remembering ratios like the other putty kits, which can be confusing.
It’s available in different colors so you can buy the option that goes well with the color of your wood.
This putty is best suited for minor repairs like nail holes and scratches. Before buying this putty, you should know its non-hardening, and you will need a sealer to keep it in place.
Pros
- Comes premixed
- Stainable
- Available in different colors
Cons
- Does not harden
5. Donald Durham 25 Rock Hard Wood Putty
This is one of the most versatile types of putty on the market. You can use it for all your home repair needs. It works on various materials like stone, cement, and wood, among others. This is what makes it ideal for most of your home repairs for cracks and dents on all these materials.
It forms a very strong bond with compatible materials and this makes it very durable. It turns into a cream color when it dries, but you can color it to match the color of the wood you are using.
Once it’s dry it can be sanded, carved, polished, or even colored. Remember to use water-based colors.
Unlike other wood putties, this one has very little odor.
Pros
- Versatile-is used on a variety of materials
- Dries to a strong rock hard solid
- Can be colored
- Very low odor
Cons
- Not very safe for home use
6. Varathane 223253 Wood Putty
This is another wood putty type you can use to fix all the minor scrapes and holes on your woodwork project after you are done with it to give it a smooth, sleek look without blemishes.
It’s best used on woodwork after you are done working, as it is non-hardening. It’s available in different colors so you can choose the one that goes best with the wood you are working on. It’s easy to apply, and you will not need to sand it afterward.
It comes to you premixed so you don’t need to remember formulas.
It’s easy to clean the excess off the wood as you can use a damp cloth or water.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Easy application
- Available in different wood colors
- Comes to you pre-mixed
Cons
- Only suitable for minor repairs
- The colors are not so compatible with wood
Considerations for the Best Wood Putty
Shopping for the most suitable wood putty is daunting if you are not aware of what you are supposed to look for in one. You don’t want to order wood putty only to realize it does not work for your woodwork project when it gets to you. This is why knowing what to look for beforehand is always important.
Here are important factors to look out for.
Drying Time
Think about how long the wood putty you are buying takes to dry. A longer drying time will mean you will have to stall your project as you wait.
Usually, the standard drying time is about 20-30 minutes, after which you can continue to work on your project as long as you don’t stress the joint. For that, you will have to wait until the putty fully cures.
Does the Putty Harden?
Usually, wood putty is not meant to harden as it’s meant for fixing minor blemishes that a finished woodwork project might have.
This is why some wood putty just doesn’t harden. If you want one that hardens, however, you can still find them on the market. Four of those listed here do harden. Alternatively, you can buy wood filler.
Is the wood putty color compatible with the color of the wood you are buying for?
Wood putty comes in different colors. Buy one depending on the color of the wood you are working with. Some brands will also provide you with different color options to choose from.
Ease of Application
Think of how easy it is to apply the putty. Some options will come in a kit, and you have to mix the different ingredients to make the putty.
If you don’t want to do all this work, you can get wood putty that is pre-mixed by manufacturers. This makes your work easier.
How Easily Does The Putty Clean Of The Wood?
Some wood putty cleans easier than others. Make sure you are getting one that’s easy to clean off the wood unless you’re using your putty as a permanent fix.
Can You Work the Putty Once It Dries Without It Falling Apart?
Sometimes, after you have applied wood putty, you might need to work on it like sanding, chiseling, or nailing. If this is what you need, make sure you check that you can do these things to your putty well beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions On Wood Putty
Why Doesn’t Wood Putty Harden?
Wood putty is meant for fixing blemishes on wood after you are done working on a project. This is why most wood putty does not harden. This comes in handy if you use it on an outdoor project that expands and contracts with changing weather.
Is Wood Putty Stainable?
This depends on the kind of wood putty you buy. Some can be stained while other putties cannot be stained. This is why with some putty, it is advisable to apply after you have applied finish to your wood project.
What Is the Difference Between Wood Filler and Wood Putty?
Apart from the fact that wood filler hardens while some wood putty does not, wood putty is also made using fine sawdust of wood fibers, while wood fillers are made using plastic products like epoxies.
This makes wood fillers stronger when it comes to their adhesive properties than wood putty.
Conclusion
If you are new to woodwork, picking the right woodwork products may be a bit challenging. In this article, we have put forward all you need to know to pick the best wood putty for your next woodwork project so you can get it right. We have also listed the best options for you to choose.
Check out System three 1600k10 sculpwood putty kit. It works great. It’s paintable and takes 15 minutes to dry, and you can work on it when it dries just like you can work on a piece of wood.