How To Fill Cracks In Wood Using Epoxy? [Step-By-Step Guide]

The consequence of having things made of wood is the possibility of it getting broken due to weather or bad qualities. Like wood furniture and fixtures, they are prone to cracks and chips. Fortunately, by using epoxy wood fillers, you can fix these damages in no time.

This article will cover what an epoxy wood filler is and how to fill wood cracks. As well as some tips to help you in your projects. If you’re interested, read on.

Suppose you’re into DIYs and always searching for a cheaper solution to fix your wood problems at home.

Epoxy Wood Filler is the answer for you! It has a lot of variants to restore the construction of the wood. This could be in a mixture of putty or a pourable fluid. Furthermore, epoxy is waterproof, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and even chemical-resistant.

When Is It Best to Use Epoxy for Wood Cracks?

There are different cases of how and when to use epoxy for wood cracks. However, some people are uncertain whether to use it because they’re afraid of messing it up.

But it’s actually easy to use. Epoxy wood fillers are mostly used to repair wood items such as doors and windows, but they may also be used to repair a variety of other rot-prone wooden structures.

The epoxy may also be injected to repair concrete cracks. Read here for more information.

Advantages of Using An Epoxy Wood Filler

If you’re still hesitant about using epoxy to fix a problem at home. Here are the advantages of using it.

  • Easy to fill in the wood holes
  • Flexible enough to fill in the holes
  • It can be cured into a hard and durable substance
  • Acts as the sealant that prevents the wood from rotting
  • It can be easily molded into the shape that the wood has
  • Works with different types of wood regardless of its shape, size, and surface
  • You don’t need to remove the wood piece to apply the epoxy in the right place
Read More:  How To Fill The Large Gaps In Your Wood Trim? [7 Steps]

How To Fill Cracks In Wood with Epoxy?

YouTube video

1. Select the right epoxy

Choosing the right epoxy product is a vital part of a project. You want to use one that will serve its purpose and last longer with the wood you want to fix.

It is better to research to determine the right one to use with the broken wood item. No one wants to spend money on a product that can’t fix their problem. You should look for known brands that manufacture the best quality epoxy.

2. Choose the right open time

Before starting your project, you need to choose the right open time to work with your wood epoxy. This means the duration of your working time with the mixture while it is still in the liquid state of the epoxy.

After the open time, the substance will turn into a gel-type mixture and not be watery anymore. Most epoxy products have an open time of 5 to 60 minutes. It also depends on how big or small cracks you need to fill in.

If you have larger cracks to fix, you might need a longer open time for the epoxy since it will require you to use more. Generally, it is better to have a longer open time. This will give you more time to work on the epoxy and fix the damage to the wood.

3. Tint the epoxy

Tinting the epoxy is not required. It depends if you want it to be tinted or not. However, most woodworkers want to have the epoxy matching the color of the wood they work on. If you are conscious of the wood cracks and want them to vanish, it is highly recommended to have your epoxy mixture colored as the wood you have.

Read More:  Ridgid Vs Milwaukee Cordless Drill [What You Need to Know!]

4. Filling cracks in the wood

This step is an important part of fixing your wood with epoxy. When you are ready with your tools and products to use, all you need to do is apply them.

Here are some tips on how to apply the wood epoxy:

  1. First, check the holes and cracks of the wood if it passes through the other side of the wood.
  2. If it does, you need masking tape to cover the end part of the wood so the epoxy won’t flow on the other side.
  3. Pour the substance into the cracks or holes of the wood. You need to fill it in until it reaches the top or feels it is filled in.
  4. Wait for 24 hours to cure the epoxy substance. This is a vital part of the project, and you need to cure the epoxy to restore the wood.

5. Sand the fills level

After curing the epoxy on your wood, you will need to level it to the surface of the wood. It would be the best option to have sandpaper or a sanding blocks for this step. You should check your sandpaper once in a while to avoid the epoxy lumping on it because this can cause it not to level the wood and epoxy evenly.

Continue sanding until you feel that it is even with the surrounding surface of the wood.

6. Finishing the surface

The last thing to do is to polish the fill and the wood. You can also repaint the surface if you want. If you want to remain it as is, you can use oil or a wood varnish for your finishing touches. This results in a shiny finish of wood furniture or items in your house, making it look brand-new.

Tips for Using Wood Epoxy for Cracks

Listed below are the tips that you would need in using wood epoxy for cracks. These will make sure your project is hassle-free.

  1. Before doing the whole process, make sure you are ready with the tools and products you need for the project.
  2. There might be depressions left in the wood when it is fully cured. You can fix it with a wood epoxy putty and fill the holes or cracks left on the wood.
  3. The epoxy curing time will depend on the place’s temperature or location you did the project. It is preferred to work in warm places as it will give you the best outcomes.
  4. Since the epoxy is closer to plastic, it will take time to sand and level the fillers with the wood.
  5. For the curing process of the wood fillers, you can have them covered or place them indoors because dust can stick to the wet epoxy.
  6. Before working on a block of rotten wood, remove the part that is already decayed. If you fill it in with it, it will crumble, making you refill it again.
Read More:  How to Cut Down a Tree with a Reciprocating Saw [4 Steps]

Top 5 Wood Epoxy For Cracks

Epoxy Resin Cure times (hours) Covers at 1/8 Volume
Pro Marine Supplies 12-24 12.5 sq ft 1-gallon kit
RTG Bar and Table 16-20 12 sq ft 1-gallon kit
SRC Crystal Clear 16-20 12 sq ft 1-gallon kit
East Coast 16-20 12 sq ft 1-gallon kit
TotalBoat Table Top 16-20 12.8 sq ft 1-gallon kit

Pro Marine Supplies

This product is designed for tabletops, bars, wood finishes, and see-through encapsulations. It also

has a sister company specializing in epoxy resin products for wood and repairing using epoxy on other materials. The product’s formulation allows for minimal bubbles, smooth, eliminate fish eyes, craters, and other imperfections. It is also one of the best products tested by the people.

RTG Bar and Table

This one is perfect for tabletop repairs but can also be used all around. It is waterproof and has an ultra-clear epoxy resin coating perfect for bar tops, countertops, and tabletops. The product has a color-stable formula that prevents the epoxy from yellowing. This product endorses its feature that stops the rotting of the material.

SRC Crystal Clear

The SRC epoxy has the feature of being durable, water-resistant, and impact-resistant. It also cures to a crystal-clear, high gloss finish that is perfect for coating various craft projects. What’s more interesting is its price; it is the top-budget epoxy resin for wood products.

East Coast

The East Coast epoxy resin is popular for the fastest curing option among the competitors. It is endorsed as a flawlessly transparent epoxy coating that has an ultra-high-performance resin.

Read More:  How to Remove a Drill Bit Stuck in Wood? [Problem And Solution]

This premium professional grade epoxy finishes smoothly and dries evenly to eliminate crawling, trickling, craters, and fish eyes. The company has more than 20 years of experience in distributing epoxy products. Also, with the reviews of their customers, this product is known for its immediacy.

Total Boat Table Top Epoxy

The Table Top Epoxy is the best option if you’re planning to use it for indoor applications because it is BPA-free, has a low odor, and provides no harsh fumes. It resists stains, scratches, and the yellowing of the resin. This comes from a top-tier brand because it is owned by Jamestown Distributors, which specializes in making epoxy products.

FAQs

What kind of epoxy to use to fill wood cracks?

The best option of epoxy to fill in the wood cracks is the deep pour epoxy. It adapts and seals the wood much better, and it fills in the holes neatly as it should. However, it cures longer than other types of epoxy, making it stronger.

How strong is the bond between epoxy and wood?

The bond between wood depends on the epoxy used and the curing process. You should use a good quality product and know about the available time to work on it mentioned above.

How Long to Leave Epoxy Wood Filler Before Sanding?

As mentioned earlier, the curing time is an important part of the process because you need to rest the epoxy and let it harden. Wait 24 hours before you sand and level it to the wood.

What is the difference between wood epoxy and wood filler?

The difference between wood epoxy and wood filler is with the material and substance it comes from. Wood putty is also called “plastic wood” because of synthetic materials such as epoxy or polyurethane.

Read More:  10-2 Wire vs 12-2 Wire [What Is The Difference]

On the other hand, wood filler is made of wood dust or sawdust and water or binder. Click this for a more detailed comparison of the two.

Can you fill wood cracks with polyurethane?

Yes, you can. Polyurethane can be mixed and applied to wood cracks. You need to apply the substance thoroughly to fill in the gaps and holes of the wood or the surface you want to restore.

Conclusion

Filling in wood cracks will take some time and effort, but with epoxy, the work is less stressful, and It can also make the wood last longer. If you have wood cracks or rotting wood furniture that needs to be fixed, don’t forget to use this article as a guide.

Leave a Comment