Strong Wood Filler

Do you need a strong wood filler to repair particle board with? Is there a need to fill pine or plywood knot holes that have fallen out? Perhaps you want to rebuild an area of a cabinet or counter that may have been damaged because of neglect? I’m going to let you in on one of the cabinet making industries secrets that many homeowners are not aware of.

You can use this filler to fix large chunks of particle board that have pulled out of cabinet sides or doors. It actually holds a screw pretty well too. I will explain to you exactly how to fill these areas to achieve the same success that I have enjoyed through the years.

This type of wood filler is not recommended to be used as a finished area filler. It should only be applied where it is going to be painted over, covered with Formica, veneered over with sheeting or not seen in any way. The substance is usually grey in color and when the hardeners added, it is shaded by the activators coloration.

Bondo for Filling Holes in Wood

Yes, Bondo works great for filling holes in just about any type of wood. It dries extra hard. I was as surprised as you perhaps when I discovered that this fast drying automotive body filler is actually used very often by cabinet makers and also mill factories or lumber yards to fill holes, cracks and voids. You’ll also find that this popular wood filling product is used in many boat manufacturing facilities.

Repairing Damaged Cabinet Parts Using Bondo

In the automotive, paint or fiberglass section of the hardware store, where the fiberglass filler is going to be located, there are certain tools designed for working with Bondo. You’re going to need a plastic scraper for sure to apply the material with. Also, because the material is extremely sticky, you will need to apply wax to anything that you use to hold the Bondo in place while it dries. Gulf Wax can be purchased at most local grocery stores. Candle wax will work as well. If you’re applying the wood filler onto a vertical surface, then apply the wax to the flat piece which will keep the filler from slipping while it dries. If you do not use the wax, the adhesive will adhere to both surfaces and may pull the hardened filler out when you try to remove the cover piece.

• Tip: This strong wood filler will hold screws fairly well once it has cured for at least 24 hours.

Filling the Hole

1) Mix the hardener in with the epoxy.
2) Apply it to the hole.
3) Scrap off the excess with the plastic scraper.
4) Add the flat/removable waxed filler piece that will hold the Bondo in place while it dries.
5) Let it dry until it is thoroughly hard.
6) Remove the flat cover piece.
7) Scrap off the excess with a putty knife. It dries super hard.
8) Sand it with 100 grit sand paper.

• Tip: Don’t get the strong wood filler on any finished surfaces such as Formica, plastic, real wood that has a shiny top coat, walls, tile floors, carpet or any finished surfaces.

Bondo can be used for many applications if you get creative with it. It works where ever a super hard hole patch is needed. It is a very versatile substance that is extremely strong once it has fully dried. The filler even gets used by artists and taxidermists. Filling holes and repairing cabinet parts that have been damaged with the material works great. It adheres to wood surfaces very well. It’s just a great extra to add to the tool shed.

One last thing, make sure that you don’t work with the substance when it begins to harden. It will not have any holding strength. Apply it and work with it quickly.