Best Wood Filler For Large Holes: Top 8 Pick Reviews

You’ve wandered through numerous antique shops to find the perfect coffee table that complements the interior design of your living room.

But what’s that? A large gash at the table post? You can’t help but think you might have to let go of it.

When you have furry friends running all around the house attacking every furniture, who knows if your beautiful antique table will be able to fight against it?

This is why you need wood fillers. Wood fillers bridge the gap between you deciding to throw away a whole furniture item and salvaging the damaged parts.

But how do you find the best wood filler for large holes? The challenge is quadrupled if you are a complete noob in this game!

Don’t worry. Just sit back, relax with a warm mug of coffee and read on to find the answer to all the confounding questions.

Why Use Wood Filler for Large Holes?

Maybe you have loud kids who are always breaking something in the house.

Can you deal it by throwing out EVERY furniture that they impair? No!

This is why wood fillers are important. Wood fillers literally fill the gaps, holes, gouges, grooves, etc. and make the surface look like it never had any damage.

What’s even more amazing is the fact that it can even build itself to take the form of broken edges. After the work is done, it’ll be a secret only you and the wood filler knows.

Top 8 Best Wood Filler for Large Holes in 2020

1. Minwax High Performance Wood Filler

Check Current Price

Minwax High Performance Wood Filler is one of those go-to wood fillers that comes to mind first when you are looking to fill large wood holes.

The product offers a very candid service without any complication. It is literally as easy as applying paint on your wooden fences.

If you have a toothy pet, you know the struggle of keeping your wooden furniture intact all too well. Gnaw marks here and there, your TV trolley is always missing a chunk of the wooden slab.

Well, Minwax High Performance Wood Filler is a convenient solution to these never-ending issues. To attend varying needs of the users, the product comes in 1 ounce, 6-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce packages.

Prepare it well with epoxy and you are ready to cover up the tracks. Any scrapes, scratches, or missing chunks can be quickly rebuilt, thanks to its quick drying properties.

It has the ability to dry rock-solid in about fifteen minutes. After that, your finished product would be ready for sanding in another 30 minutes.

This is like a prosthetic for wooden surfaces. Because it dries so fast and hard, it basically emulates wooden pieces. The dried product can then be carved, drilled into, or painted.

You can do whatever you want to do without even worrying that it isn’t actually wood. It doesn’t easily crack of shrink. This filler would securely hold nails and screws as if they were drilled into real wood.

Highlighted Features:

• It comes in different quantity, suitable for small to big projects.
• The final product can be drilled, carved, or painted.
• It provides prolonged service without shrinking or cracking.
• It dries absolutely rock solid in about fifteen minutes.

2. Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler

Check Current Price

If you live in a particularly rainy area, you know how difficult it is to maintain wooden products.

Especially when it comes to maintaining your house, it is more heartbreaking to see your wooden boards rot over time. But the good news is, it’s nothing a little Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler can’t fix.

This, too, is a two-part solution like the Minwax High Performance Wood Filler. It bonds to each fragmented wooden pieces and forms an enduring attachment.

If you have damaged wooden bits dotted over your window sill, fear not. Instead of cutting out the damaged areas, just coat the areas with a little Bondo.

Perhaps the best feature is the fact that it can take on stains. It oxides to a mild brown color which makes it easy to paint over and get a consistent appearance. Most wood fillers get two to three shades darker which result in an off-color wooden surface at the end. That’s not the case for this 1-quart home solution.

It dries just as fast as the Minwax High Performance Wood Filler so keep in mind that the two-part solution will need to be used up quickly. Once the solution has dried completely, you can drill, saw, shape or sand the part without any worry.

It can replace and restore any rotten wood sections. If you have a missing foot on your bedpost or chair, try making a mold of the surviving feet and fill the hollow area with a prepared Bondo solution.

Highlighted Features:

• The container holds one quart of the solution.
• The solution is capable of taking stains.
• It can be reshaped in any desirable way.
• The filler can be used for both indoor and outdoor projects.

3. Elmer’s Carpenter’s Color Change Wood Filler

Check Current Price

Elmer’s has become a household name for their superior adhesives available to a huge range of audiences.

From glues to wood fillers, Elmer’s are quite the skilled craftsmen in making strong adhesives. Elmer’s Carpenter’s Color Change Wood Filler is yet another addition that you MUST have in your home.

This product comes in varying sizes that can be used for different needs and projects. You can use one from their 4-ounce, 8-ounce and 16-ounce containers.

When applied, don’t be afraid to see purple everywhere. They have two different variations, filler that dries white or natural. So like Elmer’s purple glue, the purple solution will dry either white or natural, allowing you to paint over it comfortably.

The purple appearance is actually very helpful to see where you’re using the product more clearly. If you’ve missed a spot somewhere, you can quickly go over it and fix the mistakes. It takes on stains aptly and you’ll find that the longer you let it sit, the better it stains.

If your primary aim is household projects, the Elmer’s Carpenter’s Color Change Wood Filler is perfect for the task. It is non-toxic and a perfect choice for light dyers.

The dried down product may seem lumpy and rough but that just means that you need to sand it smooth. Sanding will leave behind a polished surface that can be painted for aesthetic appearance.

Highlighted Features:

• The product comes in different sizes and variations.
• It applies in a vibrant purple shade but dries white or natural.
• It stains more if you allow it to sit for longer periods.
• It can be sanded to a smooth surface with an orbital sander.

4. FamoWood Latex Wood Filler

Check Current Price

FamoWood Latex Wood Filler is considered to be a specialist since it provides a range of colors that will be well suited for your particular needs.

They have 11 color options namely birch, white pine, ebony, oak, golden oak, dark mahogany, maple, red oak, white, walnut, and natural. This is a big win for both the Company and the customers to whom the product is catered to.

Most wood fillers either come in white or natural color or claim to be a versatile color changer. These can lead to some off-color results which might drive you to repaint the entire project to a color that fits the appearance of the wood filler.

FamoWood Latex Wood Filler has similar airiness like that of cake frosting. It’s easy to maneuver and adheres to unsanded areas pretty firmly. You don’t have to take on the hassle of chipping off the paint from a colored, damaged wood design.

However, be sure to apply in thin layers and let it dry between applications. It dries fast to emulate the texture of wooden surfaces. Within 15 minutes, you’ll find yourself with a redefined wood ready at your service.

It does not crack or shrink. Thus, if you have furniture that has a lot of vertical gouges, you will be able to fill in the gaps with this magic solution easily.

Highlighted Features:

• It provides eleven different color options.
• It can be stained and painted over.
• It does not crack or shrink over time.
• It latches on to painted surfaces without sanding.

5. Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Filler

Check Current Price

If you do not prefer that purple color changing stuff, brace yourself. Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Filler comes with no such incident. Perfect for indoor uses like rebuilding missing wooden parts, filling in holes, and gouges, this product has quickly become a favorite household tool.

Imagine this: you have guests over at your place and they are particularly handsy with your belongings. Before you know it, someone has broken your favorite ukulele in two. While the immediate sight of it is bound to rip out the life out of someone, that’s nothing a little Elmer’s solution cannot mend.

The size it comes in is ½ pint. The substance can be worked nicely. Cleanup is as easy as wiping down with a little damp paper towel. This eliminates the need to sand down the final shape.

However, you can still sand down to get a smooth finish if you prefer. Stain it, paint it, or leave it as it is - you have the complete freedom to be creative. It resists cracking or shrinking after being applied.

One drawback is the fact that they dry out fast. But it’s something that comes with every strong filler out there. Anyway, you can store the airtight container inside an airlock ziplock bag or sandwich box after opening for added security.

All in all, this solvent-free based paste is the ideal one-stop solution to all kinds of small and household design plans.

Highlighted Features:

• The solution is most suited for interior use.
• The paste can be used for DIY tasks.
• A damp paper towel takes care of the clean-up.
• Wiping down eliminates the need to sand.

6. Elmer’s Carpenter’s White Blanco Wood Filler

Check Current Price

Perhaps your needs for wood fillers are very particular and limited. Why should you go on buying a giant tub of product which will ultimately dry out sitting in a corner of your shelf?

Maybe you just need to fill in the dotted accidents and gouges that are visible on your baseboards.

Elmer’s Carpenter’s White Blanco Wood Filler is a dedicated wood filler to tackle situations like nail holes, hardwood floor gaps, claw marks on the baseboards, etc. It comes in six convenient colors to fit your varying needs.

But of course, it is a paintable solution too. You can stain it to get the personalized look you are after. The clean-up with water is ultra-easy. If you want a more polished and smooth appearance, you can sand it till its silky and effortless to the touch.

No big crack seems like the end of the world when you have a tube of Elmer’s Carpenter’s White Blanco Wood Filler. It dries quickly, so you need to be fast with the application. However, keep in mind that this tube wouldn’t able to cover bigger projects like rebuilding a missing block.

Highlighted Features:

• This particular filler is pure white, but there are other color options.
• It is ideal for white baseboards in the house.
• It can fill in cracks without splintering.
• It can be painted over or stained to your preference.

7. Woodwise Powdered Wood Filler

Check Current Price

While canned wood fillers are great, there is that one aggravating fact that they tend to dry out once opened.

You don’t usually expect to use the entire tub unless you are handling bigger and more professional tasks. It results in a big waste of money if you get to use only a little of the product and the rest dries up.

If you are someone who uses wood fillers on the daily, perhaps because you’re a professional carpenter, Woodwise Powdered Wood Filler is a cost-efficient option.

Since it’s in powdered from, it doesn’t freeze or dries up. This enables a long shelf life which makes it very cost effective in the long run. And better yet, it can take stain just like hardwood!

You get about three fourteen pound bags of the powdered products in the package. You can use as much as is required per your design plans. It’s like sawdust. You do not need any special solvent to make a batch of this. All you need is a little water to make a paste and you can get to work.

It doesn’t make sense to use multiple tubs of wood fillers if, let’s say, you’re making floor plans. This product is a good bulk package for large commercial tasks. It makes full trowel filler or wood patch depending on the needs.

Keep in mind that if you are looking to fill in narrow gaps, it works great for shallow areas like nail holes, cracks, broken edges or gouges.

However, it would probably not be able to handle deeper fills. Anyway, you can provide enough protection by “scratching the surface” because this does not crack under pressure or fall out due to shrinkage.

Highlighted Features:

• This comes in powdered form in three 14-pound bags.
• Each bag can make up to 1.7 gallons of filler.
• You can use as much as is needed without wasting too much.
• This product is the model solution for bigger, professional tasks.
• This is great for DIY projects and professional uses.

8. Elmer’s Carpenter’s Stainable Wood Filler

Check Current Price

By now, you have pretty much familiarized yourself with Elmer’s Carpenter’s versatility. If your particular need for wood filler is to cover up the gaping nail holes in your walls or a wooden trim in your door, Elmer’s Carpenter’s Stainable Wood Filler is up for the task.

Besides covering up shallow holes neatly, it can fill deeper cracks as well with the utmost ease. It has wood chipping sprinkled in the solution. This allows it to adhere to wooden surfaces strongly.

The wood fibers double its strength, allowing it to be nailed or drilled into and basically be treated as any normal wood. This ensures that it will not crack, shrink or fall out any time soon and stay adhered to whatever it is stuck to. The robust nature allows it to be sanded with high speed sanders.

For these very reasons, Elmer’s Carpenter’s Stainable Wood Filler works on materials besides wood as well. Hence, if you have dire DIY projects that need your undivided attention, this solution can come in handy.

It is easily stain able so that you get the desired shade of wood you favor. While you’re fixing the cracks and gouges on the window sill, you can go ahead and give it a fresh coat of paint to jazz up the room as you like.

Highlighted Features:

• This particular solution is ideal for filling in holes and cracks.
• Suitable for both interior and exterior uses.
• The product comes in a convenient storage container.
• This filler contains wood particles that increases its strength.
• The dried surface can be cleaned easily with water.

Comparison Chart of Top 8 filler for large holes in wood

How To Choose Wood Filler For Large Holes?

1. Quantity

If you are a professional wood-worker, try finding a wood filler that comes in bulk packaging. The tubes or containers have little product to cover anything beyond cracks, broken edges, or gouges in your wooden trim.

If your sole concern is filling small cracks, nail holes, or claw marks, small quantity from 4-16 ounces should be enough. For household tasks like fixing the windowpane or a broken object, you can get away with a good 30 oz. container.

However, if you need huge sum for professional work, look for powdered fillers that come in larger bags of 10-15 pounds. These fillers don’t freeze or dry and have longer shelf life.

Powdered filler makes for the best wood filler for large holes and get the job done without having to spend a ridiculous sum.

2. Drying Time

Each product takes different time periods to dry to a solid surface that can be worked on. Typically, you would want a quicker solution. However, this also means that the product itself may dry out quickly once the container holding the solution is opened.

For smaller tasks, you would want a solution that takes 15-30 minutes to cure. For bigger projects, try to find something that allows you to dilute the product in order to keep it from drying out before each application. You should plan things beforehand so that the product doesn’t start drying during application.

3. Powder Vs Paste

While the paste solution comes in a readymade mixture, powdered wood fillers give you the full freedom to use as much as you want according to the project you are pursuing. The paste is easier to apply but keep in mind that the product will dry out in its container when not in use.

Using a powder wood filler allows you to mix a large or a small amount without having to worry about wasting product. Moreover, they do not dry out if left idle on a shelf.

Consider the magnitude of your project: if you partake in commercial tasks, you’re better off with a bulk powdered package. On the other hand, if you’re handling small cracks or holes, don’t overkill. A small filler paste tube is enough for these applications.

Common Wood Filler Types For Filling Big Holes

1. Latex Fillers

Latex fillers are usually used to cover up small holes like nail holes or cover up cracks in cabinets and any wooden trim. They don’t particularly have any structural strength to hold integrity when you’re drilling holes into them. They’re suitable to use for covering up gaps and holes.

2. Epoxy Fillers

Unlike latex fillers, epoxy fillers bind themselves on to the surface firmly and extend to form the missing chunk of wood.

It mimics wood in a way that can be painted on, stained, or even drilled into. If the users want, they can sand, saw or shape it.

However, the appearance is a little “plastic” and may look different from the rest of the item. But that’s nothing a good paint can’t handle.

3. Powder Fillers

Powder fillers are mixtures of sawdust and wood shavings that can be mixed with water to form your own solution. They can be used in bulk for mammoth projects. However, they are not exactly strong enough to withstand any impact. Since they are wood particles, they lack structural integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Wood Fillers Be Drilled Into?

Answer: Yes, and no. Some wood fillers are solvent-based and are ideal for covering up any imperfections. They usually lack the structural strength to withstand impact.

However, there are other solutions that mimic the structural strength of wood and can be treated exactly of any plain wooden surface. They are the best wood filler for large holes and can replace wood if need be.

If you need fillers that can be drilled and shaped, look for those filler types.

2. How Long Should I Wait Before Sanding?

Answer: Usually, smaller containers that dry quickly can be sanded after 30 minutes of curing time. For deeper fills, you should let it cure for about 2-3 hours before sanding to a smooth finish.

It depends on the type of fill. You can apply in thin layers and let it sit for some time before each application for quicker drying time.

3. Can Wood Fillers Be Used to Repair Scratches?

Answer: Yes. If the scratches aren’t too deep, you can apply a generous amount and then remove the excess. Afterward, sand it to get rid of the lumps and achieve an even and smooth finish. A tube or a small can of wood filler should be enough for this purpose.

4. How To Get The Exact Color Of The Wood I Want?

Answer: Usually, these solutions have the “stainable” label. This means that you can stain the surface to the shade you most prefer. Moreover, there are a lot of products that have a range of colors fitted for each type of wood. You can find wood fillers in shades like mahogany, dark oak, white, pine, etc.

5. How to Stop Wood Filler from Drying Out?

Answer: Usually, wood fillers in containers tend to dry out after months. This can be a waste of money if you’re only using a little. You can add a little water to the solution inside box containers or tubes in order to “replenish” the substance. Another trick is to flip the container upside down after use.

Conclusion:

There are a number of wood filler options in the market. You have latex mixtures, epoxy substitutes, and even powdered wood fillers to choose from. However, the best wood filler for large holes is the one that fulfills your needs in an apt way.

Consider the type of use you want to pursue. If you only want to cover up some minor scratches, there’s no point in buying a huge packet that will only take up space in your house. Invest in something smaller and in something you don’t mind throwing out once you’re done using it the first time.

However, commercial uses demand for bigger quantities. Thus, be adequately prepared before each project. Make sure the filler you buy can withstand the adjustments you make afterwards, i.e. sawing, drilling or painting.

We hope this guide clears up the queries you had about good quality wood fillers. With these information, make the scratches look like they were never there. Adios!