The Best Wood Filler for Furniture Repair: A Review
If you refinish furniture regularly, wood filler is one of those supplies you always want within reach. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one to choose? Over the years, I’ve tried many, and some I like better than others. In this post, I’m comparing four different products to help you find the best wood filler for furniture repair.
For this review, I tested:
Dumond’s Rock Hard Water Putty
Famowood Wood Filler
All-Purpose Bondo
DAP Premium Wood Filler
Keep reading to see how they held up and which one came out on top!
The Project: Testing Fillers on a Veneer Repair
For a recent makeover, I had to remove a large portion of failing veneer from the top of a dresser. In the past, my go-to filler for a large repair like this would have been Bondo. I’ve had lots of success over the years using Bondo to repair furniture. However, I didn’t have enough on hand to complete this project, so I headed to my local hardware store to pick up some more. While there, I came across another product, Dumonds Putty, and decided I would give it a try (I’d heard of it before but never used it). I also had a few other wood fillers at home that I generally use for smaller repairs. So a little experiment was born! This was the perfect project to test out ALL of the wood fillers I had on hand to see how they compared.
How I tested the wood fillers
For each filler, I applied it to a section using the manufacturer’s directions. Dumond’s water putty and Bondo both require mixing before application (which adds a step to the process). Both the Famowood and DAP can be applied directly from their containers. Once dry, I sanded the areas smooth and applied primer to see how the surface looks when painted.
A note on product links
This post contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Product 1: Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty
Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty was my overall favorite. It comes in a powdered form and you simply mix it with water when you are ready to use it. This is great becuase you never have to worry about the filler drying out in the container. It is non-toxic and contains no VOCs. You can clean up (while still wet) with water.
Why was it my favorite? Simply, it worked the best and was the least noticeable underneath the paint. You can see in the photo above that the area to the left is the only area that is flush with the surface (all of the other fillers are slightly below the surface). Add to that its ease of storage and its non-toxicity, and it’s a clear winner! The only downside is that is was difficult to sand (I wouldn’t recommend a large area without an electric sander). When they say rock hard, they are not kidding!
Product 2: Famowood Wood Filler
Famowood wood filler is one of my go-to products for filling smaller dings and holes. If I notice something small and don’t want to mix up Bondo or Durham’s, this is quick and easy and cleans up with water. However, it isn’t great for larger areas and shrinks a bit when drying.
Product 3: All-purpose Bondo
Bondo was my second favorite filler in this test. With an additional round of filling, I was able to get it level with the surface and had a similar result to Dumonds. But I’ve never loved using it due to the fumes and harsh chemicals. You must wear a respirator and gloves with this one.
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Product 4: DAP Premium Wood Filler
DAP premium wood filler is similar to Famowood wood filler and is great for small repairs. It is thinner in consistency than the Famowood. Like Famowood, it isn’t great for a large-scale repair like filling missing veneer.
Finishing the Makeover
Once I completed the test, I went back and filled the rest with my favorite, Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty. Then I used some glazing and spot putty to fill in any small imperfections in the filler and surrounding veneer. This is a favorite product that I use as a final step to fill any imperfections before painting.
Final Thoughts: Which Is the Best Wood Filler for Furniture Repair?
Hands down, Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty was the winner for me. After comparing these products, it is clear to me that the Rock Hard Water Putty is the best wood filler for furniture repairs! It created the smoothest finish with the fewest application rounds, held up beautifully under primer, and is non-toxic and easy to store. It’s officially earned a permanent spot in my furniture refinishing workshop!
Have you tried any of these wood fillers for your own repairs? Let me know what’s worked for you, I always love hearing your go-to products!