Wood putty, also called plastic wood, is a substance used to fill imperfections, such as
nail holes, in
wood prior to
finishing. It is often composed of wood dust combined with a
binder that dries and a
diluent (thinner), and, sometimes,
pigment. Pore fillers used for large flat surfaces such as
floors or
table tops generally contain
silica instead of or in addition to wood dust. Pores can also be filled using multiple coats of the final finish rather than a pore filler.
The main problem in using putty is matching the colour of the putty to that of the wood. Putties are usually
sanded after they dry before applying the finish.
Many different brands, types, and colours are commercially available. Binders include
lacquer
Lacquer is a type of hard and usually shiny coating or finish applied to materials such as wood or metal. It is most often made from resin extracted from trees and waxes and has been in use since antiquity.
Asian lacquerware, which may be ca ...
, water-base, and
linseed oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil or flax oil (in its edible form), is a colourless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant (''Linum usitatissimum''). The oil is obtained by pressing, sometimes followed by ...
. Some
woodworkers make their own putty using fine
sanding dust (not
sawdust, which is too coarse) with
wood glue or a wood finish such as
shellac.
DAP Products owns the registered trademark for Plastic Wood.
DAP Plastic Wood Solvent Wood Filler (RTU)-Old Product
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See also
* Grain filler
* Putty
Putty is a material with high plasticity, similar in texture to clay or dough, typically used in domestic construction and repair as a sealant or filler. Although some types of putty (typically those using linseed oil) slowly polymerise and be ...
References
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*
Woodworking materials
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