10 Best Wood Fillers to Patch Your Deck

Dap Exterior Wood Filler

Repairing a hole or crack in your deck can add years to its life. Selecting a quality wood filler to patch your deck will help it last.

The 10 best wood fillers to patch your deck are:

  • PC Products PC Woody
  • FamoWood Water-Based Wood Filler
  • WoodEpox by Abatron
  • Bondo Wood Filler
  • Dap Plastic Wood
  • Minwax Stainable Wood Filler
  • Kwikwood Epoxy Putty by JB Weld
  • Goodfilla Water-Based Heavy Body Paste Filler
  • Dap Platinum Patch
  • RTG Wood Repair Epoxy Putty

These are all high-quality products with advantages and disadvantages in different deck patching situations. The following will explain everything you need to know about these wood fillers to make the right choice to patch your deck.

1. PC Products PC Woody

PC Woody Wood Filler

PC Products PC Woody offers one of the top wood deck repair epoxies on the market. PC Woody makes a permanent repair when applied correctly. It won’t shrink or expand, and it is flexible to stay stuck on wood through expansion and contraction.

The epoxy is perfect for outdoor decks. After 40 minutes of drying, rain and sun won’t have any chance to damage the cured epoxy.  

Mimics Wood

PC Woody has natural wood in its formula, helping it blend in with the wood you want to repair. It accepts paint by design, allowing you to match the color of the deck you need to fix. Staining requires a darker tint as light-colored stains will be ineffective.

This product mimics wood, meaning you can sand it, cut it, drill holes into it, pound nails into it, and treat it almost the same as wood. The manufacturers recommend that it works on a lathe for turning with extra precautions taken to prevent breathing in its dust.

Sizes and Mixing

You can choose from a 0.8-ounce easy mixing syringe, up to 10-gallon sizes for commercial applications. The six-ounce can costs about $10. The packages are easy to reseal, meaning the leftover epoxy keeps for a long time.

PC Woody is a two-part epoxy that is simple to mix. The mixing ratio is 1:1, and PC Products recommends eyeballing it. The wood filler doesn’t need oxygen to cure, so you can apply it as thick as you need to.

2. FamoWood Water Based Wood Filler

Famowood Wood Filler

Woodworkers have used FamoWood Water Based Wood Filler to fill gaps and cracks for over 70 years. There is a lot of history and many satisfied customers over those years that make you feel confident using Famowood to patch your deck.

This wood patch paste works on exterior surfaces. It will stand up to rain and sun for many years of use. Famowood will never shrink or crack, it fills the gap in your deck, and you don’t have to worry about it changing.

Famowood is a latex-based wood filler. It doesn’t give off smelly fumes, and it is easy to clean up before it dries. Simple soap and water will get excess filler off of surfaces.

Drying and Painting

Wood flour makes up a high percentage of Famowood paste. After it dries, it behaves similar to real wood. 

Famowood dries in as little as 30 minutes. The fast drying time can be an advantage because you can start working with it soon after application. The trouble might be that you have to work fast when applying it, so there is less room for error. 

Paint and stain stick to Famowood just like they stick to regular wood. Once it has dried, you can sand it to make a smooth transition and paint it to match the deck you are patching. 

Sizes, Colors and Mixing

A six-ounce can of Famowood sells for about $7. Famowood comes in 6-oz, 23-oz, 45-oz, and one-gallon containers. The water-based Famowood stays good for a long time in its container after opening. 

There are 18 color options, which makes it easy to match the color of the natural wood you are patching. The color options are a big reason why so many woodworkers love using Famowood.

Famowood is a single part paste wood filler. You simply take the correct amount out of its container and apply it to the hole you want to fill. 

3. WoodEpox by Abatron

WoodEpox Wood Filler

WoodEpox by Abatron is a structural adhesive and could be the best choice for rot restoration. It resists heat, insects, chemicals, and weather to fill gaps in wooden decks permanently.

To repair rotten decks, first remove all rotted wood and apply a coat of LiquidWood to harden the damaged area. Then, patch the hole with WoodEpox, which bonds with LiquidWood and replaces the missing section.

This wood replacer is a two-part epoxy that mixes at a 1:1 ratio. You could use WoodEpox to fill a gap between a wooden deck and another hard surface. It bonds to almost any rigid surface, including:

  • Stucco
  • Concrete
  • Ceramic

You can work WoodEpox with hand tools or power tools without damaging it. Treat it just as you treat the wood you are repairing.

Drying Time

You can apply WoodEpox at temperatures between 50 to 90-degrees Fahrenheit. A special cold weather formulation is available for applications, down to 35-degrees Fahrenheit.

At the normal temperature, WoodEpox hardens in one to two hours. Apply it in any thickness or shape. It has a no-slump consistency, meaning it will not change shape after application to a vertical surface. WoodEpox even works for applications on ceilings. 

There is no water or solvent in WoodEpox, so it won’t shrink or crack while drying. Once you patch a hole in your deck, you won’t have to revisit it later to correct any changes in appearance.

WoodEpox has a low odor and produces almost no volatile organic compounds(VOCs). This makes WoodEpox safe to use in many different environments.

Sizes and Colors

WoodEpox comes in an off-white color. You can use pigments to tint WoodEpox to match the surface you are repairing. After it dries you can paint or stain it. There is no need to prime WoodEpox before painting.

Twelve-ounces of WoodEpox costs $23. It also comes in two pint, two quart, two gallon and 10 gallon sizes.

4. Bondo Wood Filler

Bondo Wood Filler

Bondo Wood Filler has a stellar reputation for autobody repair and also makes a putty that works on wooden decks. Bondo cures super hard and will likely last longer than the wood it is repairing. 

Bondo Wood Filler dries to the touch after only 15 minutes and is paintable 25 minutes after application. The fast dry time means you can patch your deck and get the job finished in one day. 

Bondo Wood Filler will not shrink after you apply it. While it is drying, Bondo chemically bonds to the surface it is filling for a permanent and durable patch.

Use a putty knife to spread Bondo Wood Filler into the hole in your deck. The putty is thick to make it easy to apply on vertical surfaces, but it might also be difficult for you to spread for a deck patch.

Sizes, Mixing, and Color

A one-quart can of Bondo Wood Filler with a tube of hardener cream costs $18. The product also comes in a one-gallon size.  

Bondo Wood Filler is a two-part deck patch material. It is easy to mix the resin and the hardener by following the instructions on the package. 

Bondo Wood Filler gives off a strong odor. For outdoor deck repairs, you should have plenty of ventilation and won’t have to worry about the fumes coming from Bondo. You should wear a ventilator mask and rubber gloves to apply Bondo Wood Filler.

When it is dry, Bondo Wood Filler has a pale tan color. This neutral color is perfect for applying paint or stain, and it can blend in with natural wood. Bondo Wood Filler takes paint and stain well, so it is a good choice for painted decks.

5. DAP Plastic Wood All Purpose Wood Filler

Dap Plastic Wood Filler

DAP Plastic Wood All Purpose Wood Filler is an easy-to-use wood filler for deck patching. It is a one-part wood filler, meaning you don’t have to mess around with getting the mixing ratio correct.

The drawback of using Plastic Wood on your exterior deck is that it will need to be painted or sealed to last a long time. If you plan to paint your deck patch anyway, this is not a problem, but if you don’t plan to paint the patch, this is an added step.

Plastic Wood is easy to clean with water because it is a latex-based product. Being latex-based also means that it won’t give off smelly fumes.

Applications and Drying

DAP recommends Plastic Wood to repair cracks, gouges, holes, or scratches in wood surfaces. It dries into a hard, solid patch, so it is not suitable for repairs that need to be flexible. Plastic Wood shouldn’t fill wood joints.

You need to wait four to six hours for Plastic Wood to dry if you apply a thin layer. For thicker coats, you need to wait 36 hours for the product to dry.

To fill holes or gouges deeper than 1/4-inch in your deck, build up layers of Plastic Wood until the surface is even with the rest of your deck. Be sure to let each layer of Plastic Wood dry completely before applying the next layer. 

Colors and Sizes

A six-ounce tube of Plastic Wood costs $9. It also comes in three-ounce, eight-ounce, 16-ounce, and 32-ounce sizes.

Only the six-ounce tube is available in multiple colors, including:

  • Natural
  • Golden Oak
  • Walnut
  • White

Every other size only comes in natural color. Plastic Wood accepts paint and stain well if you need to change the color to match your deck. 

6. Minwax Stainable Wood Filler

Minwax Wood Filler

This Stainable Wood Filler by Minwax is the best choice if you want to use a Minwax stain on your deck after you patch it. Minwax has designed its Stainable Wood Filler to be a perfect surface to apply Minwax brand stain.

Stainable Wood Filler is best suited to patching nail holes, cracks, gouges, knots, and other defects in unfinished wood. This wood filler will not be the best product to repair old decks.

You can use screws and nails in an area patched by Stainable Wood Filler. It dries hard and will hold fasteners well.

Application

Apply Minwax Stainable Wood Filler with a putty knife. Avoid contacting this product with your bare skin. It is easy to clean off skin and tools with soap and water.

Patches less than 1/4-inch will dry in less than two hours. For deeper repairs, apply 1/4-inch layers until the surface is smooth. Allow at least two hours to dry between layers.

Sizes and Finishes

After your patch is dry, sand the area smooth with the rest of the wooden surface. Then you can apply a coat of Minwax stain. For exterior decks, apply a coat of protective finish like polyurethane.

A six-ounce tube of Stainable Wood Filler costs $9. It also comes in one-ounce, 16-ounce, 32-ounce, and 64-ounce packages. It doesn’t come pre-colored because you are supposed to color it with stain.

7. Kwikwood Epoxy Putty by JB Weld

JB Wood Filler

Kwikwood Epoxy Putty by JB Weld is a hand mixable epoxy that creates super strong fixes for deck patching. Kwikwood is a great option for small repairs on older decks.

Kwikwood is extremely easy to use compared to other epoxies. It comes in a stick that you simply cut the desired amount off of with a knife. Then knead the putty with your impermeable glove-covered hands until its color becomes uniform.

You can apply Kwikwood to rotted wood or insect-damaged wood. Its strength is 900 psi, and it will never shrink, crack, or pull away from your repair.

Application

Then press the putty into the hole, crack, gap, or scratch you want to repair. The putty remains workable for 15 to 20 minutes after it is mixed.

After one hour, Kwikwood will be dry and ready to be sanded. Kwikwood cures to the same density as wood and can be filed, drilled, machined, and painted.

Kwikwood is for indoor or outdoor use. It does not contain any solvents.

Sizes and Color

A two-ounce Kwikwood stick costs $10. It also comes in a one-ounce size. The small sizes available make Kwikwood best suited to small deck patches.

Kwikwood dries to a light tan color. This one-color-fits-all means it is best if you plan to paint over your deck patch. Stains will not work on Kwikwood.

8. Goodfilla Water-Based Heavy Body Paste Filler

Goodfilla Wood Filler

Goodfilla Water-Based Heavy Body Paste Filler is a health-safe option for patching holes in your deck. The manufacturer states the product is “the only easy to sand, non-shrinking water-based wood patch on the market.”

Apply Goodfilla with a trowel, which can be difficult to learn but produces beautiful, smooth results. To patch deep holes, apply Goodfilla in layers, allowing time for each layer to dry before applying the next one.

Water and Goodfilla

Leftover Goodfilla will never dry out and become unusable, even if you put the lid on incorrectly. You can always add water to Goodfilla and stir to bring it back to life. 

This water solubility means that to use Goodfilla on an outdoor deck, you will need to seal it with a waterproof coat. It won’t hide the wood grains, so it is a great option to use with a clear finish to show off the beauty of natural wood.

Goodfilla does not contain VOCs and is completely non-toxic. As long as you don’t eat it, Goodfilla won’t be bad for your health or the environment.

Sizes and Color Options

A quarter pint of Goodfilla costs $9. It also comes in quart, gallon, and 3.5-gallon sizes. Goodfilla covers 50 to 70-percent more area than other fillers. It is incredibly dense, with a 2-1 specific gravity.

Goodfilla comes in 11 colors, including:

  • White
  • Rosewood
  • White Oak
  • Ebony
  • Mahogany/Brazilian Cherry
  • Red Oak
  • Natural/Base
  • Cherry/Alder
  • Maple/Pine/Birch
  • Ash
  • Walnut

All these colors make it easy to match the color of your deck. If they don’t offer a color that matches your deck, the filler can be specially tinted. Goodfilla also accepts stains and paints better than other fillers.

9. Dap Platinum Patch Advanced Exterior Filler

Dap Exterior Wood Filler

Dap Platinum Patch Advanced Exterior Filler is a perfect option for repairing decks where exposure to all weather conditions is a concern. Dap has formulated Platinum Patch to stand up to anything mother nature can throw at it.

Platinum Patch cures in 24 hours and will be ready to get rained on. The formula is hydrophobic, making a waterproof seal that won’t soften, swell, blister, or degrade.

The sun won’t damage Platinum Patch because it has UV protection built-in. It won’t discolor, crack or crumble under the harsh rays of the sun.

The material is mildew, algae, and mold resistant. This fact means that you won’t need to clean off green or black stains as often as with other deck patchers.

Application

Porous or roughed-up surfaces help Platinum Patch adhere best. For glossy surfaces, use sandpaper to take off the gloss.

Apply Platinum Patch with a flexible putty knife for best results. Before letting the filler dry, dip your putty knife in water and run it over the surface for a smoother finish.

Sizes and Color

A 16-ounce jar of Platinum Patch costs $18. It also comes in seven-ounce and 32-ounce sizes.

Platinum Patch only comes in white. It is sandable and paintable, so you can paint it to match the rest of your deck. A user review on the Dap website pointed out that they attempted to stain Platinum Patch, and it didn’t work at all.

10. RTG Wood Repair Epoxy Putty

RTG Wood Filler

RTG Wood Repair Epoxy Putty is a heavy-duty solution to patching your wooden deck. It is a two-part epoxy mixed at a 1:1 ratio of resin and hardener.

Once mixed, RTG has a 30 minute working time. The long working time is helpful if you are patching a large section of your deck and want to get the shape correct.

Drying and Odors

It takes about six hours of drying for RTG to be ready to be sanded. RTG Wood Repair is paintable and stainable to match the rest of your deck.

RTG Wood Repair has no VOCs and no odor during application, so you can use it on enclosed decks with poor ventilation. It is completely waterproof when dry, making RTG ideal for outdoor deck repair.

Size and Cost

RTG Wood Repair Epoxy Putty is only available in a 2-quart size: 1-quart resin and 1-quart hardener. This package costs $88.

Luke Miller

Luke Miller is a writer, real estate professional, rental property investor, and home renovation enthusiast based in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up in Iowa in a self-sufficient household where he learned the skills to do everything from plumbing, drywall, to basic handyman repair for everyday problems. He enjoys sharing his vast experience and his continuous learning with fellow DIY enthusiasts.

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