How to Use Wood Filler to Fill a Large Gouge in Wood

Wood filler restores integrity to a gouged section of wood. Woodworkers prefer epoxy or polyester types of wood fillers and refer to them as "two-part high performance" fillers. A "filler" of putty-like resin and another soft material known as a "hardener" combine together to form a wood filler that remains pliable for a short period of time. This type of wood filler hardens very quickly.

• 1

  Scrape wood splinters and foreign matter out of the gouge to permit good adhesion for the wood filler.

• 2

  Scoop a marble-sized ball of filler and a ball of hardener onto a clean piece of scrap wood. Blend them together with a putty knife. The mixture will harden quickly. Discard what you fail to use.

• 3

  Fill the gouge with the mixture. Press the filler in with the blade of a putty knife. Apply pressure to the blade to ensure the filler has a good bond to the wood. Wait 20 minutes before sanding the patch.

• 4

  Clean the putty knife with solvent immediately. Two-part wood filler dries rapidly and becomes difficult to remove from tools.

• 5

  Blend the patch into the surrounding surfaces with medium-grit sandpaper.