Wood fillers

[MyNameIsUrl]

Over the last few decades I’ve always used pollyfilla-type filler mixed with water for woodwork such as skirting and architrave. I’ve always been rather suspicious of ready-mixed fillers. Now there are lots of them on sale, and I’ve also seen two-part fillers which I’m a bit more inclined to trust having used car body fillers years ago.

What do others view as the best product for filling woodwork when redecorating? I have a specific need for something to fill old nail holes in re-used architrave. I should say I’m planning to do a proper job – cost isn’t the issue, nor do I need to fill and paint in 20 minutes. I need something which will sand well and not sink in the long term.

[88V8]

Over the last few decades I’ve always used pollyfilla-type filler mixed with water for woodwork such as skirting and architrave. I’ve always been rather suspicious of ready-mixed fillers. Now there are lots of them on sale, and I’ve also seen two-part fillers which I’m a bit more inclined to trust having used car body fillers years ago.

What do others view as the best product for filling woodwork when redecorating? I have a specific need for something to fill old nail holes in re-used architrave. I should say I’m planning to do a proper job – cost isn’t the issue, nor do I need to fill and paint in 20 minutes. I need something which will sand well and not sink in the long term.

Two pack fillers are good and I do use them but of course it's a faff to mix and then they go off in a few minutes.

Pollyfilla powder or ready mix is not meant for wood, I use it only in plaster. And if you are filling over nails, anything water base will eventually show rust stains.

For nail holes I use good old linseed putty, just thumb it in.

For anything more major, Repair Care products have a good name amongst the conservation fraternity and are available in specialist decorators' merchants or online, and this for example would be ideal for filling holes.

V8

[fisher]

For general filling of walls, cracks etc. I have found Toupret filler very good: https://www.toolstation.com/toupret-int ... ler/p63284

For nail holes in architrave and skirting I tend to use a lightweight filler. It is very easy to sand if you over apply it. It dries very quickly and is extremely easy to apply: https://www.toolstation.com/everbuild-o ... ler/p20822

I would leave it longer than the stated 30 mins though before sanding, at least a few hours and preferably overnight. It doesn't always take the paint as well as the wood (I reckon it is more porous) so you may want to give it an extra bit of undercoat before glossing.

[bungeejumper]

Best two part filler I've found is Big Boy lightweight (https://www.toolstation.com/big-boy-lig ... ler/p96113, but shop around for best prices). Comes in 250g and 600g tins. It stays easily sand-able for a couple of hours before it goes really hard, which is often very helpful.

The Ronseal high performance that I used recently wasn't bad, though, and it comes in a white finish which is useful sometimes when time presses.

BJ