Best Exterior Wood Filler

I Tested 6 Exterior Wood Fillers: Here’s the Best (2024)

Looking to revive an outdoor project? Wood filler is an essential that you’ll need.

In this post, I’ll take a look at the best exterior wood filler you can buy and some things you should consider before making your purchase. Let’s dig in!

In a hurry? The best exterior wood filler is the PC Woody Wood Repair Epoxy. This is an extremely durable wood filler that does a great job of filling gaps and holes of any size for exterior projects.

Best Outdoor Wood Filler

Compare the Top Exterior Wood Fillers for Outdoor Use

ProductTypeDry TimePriceRead Review
PC Woody Wood RepairEpoxy24 hours+$$$See Review ↓
Abatron WoodEpox EpoxyEpoxy24 hours+$$$See Review ↓
Minwax Stainable Wood FillerWater-Based30 minutes – 2 hours$See Review ↓
J-B Weld Wood Restore EpoxyEpoxy24 hours+$$$See Review ↓
Bondo Wood FillerEpoxy24 hours+$$See Review ↓
Goodfilla Wood & Grain FillerWater-Based30 minutes – 2 hours$$See Review ↓

1. PC Woody Wood Repair – Best Overall

PC Woody Epoxy Wood Filler
PC Products PC-Woody Wood Repair Epoxy Paste, Two-Part 96 oz in Two Cans,…
  • Two-part epoxy paste to replace missing or rotted wood is resistant to dry rot, UV light, fresh and salt water
  • Can be used in indoor and outdoor applications with an application temperature range of 35 to 115 degrees F…
  • High tack helps reduce drips and sags while hardening

If you searching for an exterior wood filler that’s perfect for a wide range of projects, this PC Woody Wood Repair Epoxy is the best wood filler for the job.

Because it’s an epoxy, it lasts much longer than other wood fillers and it’s 100% waterproof so you don’t have to worry about the rain breaking it down.

This wood filler can be painted or stained to match the surrounding wood, although it’s not quite as good as some other fillers in my list in that regard.

It has real wood fibers that give it additional strength and is perfect for exterior wooden surfaces.

What I Liked:

  • Extremely strong and durable filler that will last for years
  • Made in the USA
  • High tack formula helps to avoid sagging and dripping when applying
  • Can be sanded and stained

What I Didn’t Like:

  • More expensive than other wood fillers
  • More work to apply because you have to mix it beforehand
  • Doesn’t take paint or stain as well as other fillers

My Thoughts:

Ultimately, if you want great durability and longevity in your wood filler, this PC Woody Wood Repair Epoxy is the best wood filler for you. It’s extremely strong and does a great job filling gaps, cracks, and holes on any exterior wood surface. My only complaint is the price, but that’s expected with something this durable. This is also the best wood filler for decks and pretty much every exterior project.

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2. Abatron WoodEpox Epoxy Wood Replacement Compound

Abatron WoodEpox
Abatron WoodEpox Kit – 2 Quart – 2-Part Structural Epoxy Adhesive Filler -…
  • REPAIR DAMAGED WOOD: Fills and rebuilds missing sections to help restore windows, doors, trim, columns, posts, and other elements. Permanently repairs damage caused by weather,…
  • EASY TO USE: Our wood epoxy has a 20-30 minute pot life (working time) and can be mixed and applied by hand. It can be painted, stained, drilled, carved, sawed, nailed, planed,…
  • GREENGUARD CERTIFIED: This product contains almost no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and does not have water or solvents. It has a low odor and is a clean, safe wood repair…

Another great high quality outdoor wood filler is the Abatron WoodEpox Wood Replacement Compound.

Honestly this wood filler is very similar to the PC Woody Wood Filler above, but I found that this one has slightly less VOCs and doesn’t shrink as much as other fillers.

Because this is another epoxy filler, is does an amazing job on exterior wood surfaces and you don’t have to worry about it breaking down in the elements.

If you have damaged wood, this is a great filler for the job.

What I Liked:

  • High quality, durable filler that will last for years
  • Doesn’t shrink a ton, making it easy to fill deep holes and cracks
  • More natural and safe with less VOCs

What I Didn’t Like:

  • More expensive than some other fillers
  • Requires you to mix before applying

My Thoughts:

If you’re searching for a great wood filler that’s perfect for exterior wood, this Abatron WoodEpox Wood Replacement Compound is worth a look. While it’s more pricey than other fillers, you’re paying for quality. I found that this wood filler works amazing on damaged wood because it contains actual wood fibers that adhere perfectly to the wood. I think the quality of this filler is just a tad better than the PC Woody filler, but it was a little more difficult to stain.

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3. Minwax Stainable Wood Filler – Best Looking Wood Filler

Minwax 428540000 Stainable Filler Wood Putty, 32 oz
  • STAINABLE WOOD FILLER – Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Wood Filler is a stainable and paintable latex formula…
  • REPAIR CRACKS – The durable wood filler is ideal for repairing cracks, small gouges, nail holes, knot holes,…
  • APPLICATION STEPS – Squeeze a liberal amount of into the area to be filled and press firmly into place, using…

If you want something that’s more affordable than the previous fillers I’ve mentioned, this Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is a solid choice for outdoor projects.

While this isn’t nearly as durable as the previous options, it comes with a much lower price tag, which I’m a fan of.

This is also a more environmentally friendly wood filler because it’s water based. It’s perfect for both interior and exterior projects and it takes stain super well.

What I Liked:

  • Less expensive than other wood fillers
  • Accepts stain super well so you can closely match the surrounding surface
  • Great for both interior and exterior projects
  • Dries much faster than other fillers
  • Easy to apply with a putty knife

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Not nearly as durable as an epoxy filler
  • Shrinks more than other wood fillers

My Thoughts:

If you want something that’s affordable and yields a great appearance, this Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is the way to go. It’s much less expensive than other options, but it still does a great job on exterior surfaces. Now, this isn’t going to last nearly as long as the previous epoxy fillers, but as far as water based wood fillers go – this is one of the best. It also dries extremely fast and you don’t have to spend time mixing it beforehand. Basically, if you want something that’s pretty good quality, at a great price, is easy to use, and get’s the job done – go with this wood filler.

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4. J-B Weld Wood Restore Epoxy – Best for Large Gaps and Holes

J-B Weld Wood Restore Epoxy
J-B Weld 40007 Wood Restore Premium Epoxy Putty Kit – 64 oz.
  • WOODRESTORE: Is a hand mixable epoxy putty specially formulated to repair and rebuild wood quickly and easily….
  • WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS USE: Builders, mechanics & repair pros know our products bond strong to a variety of…
  • EASY TO USE: It can be used to fill, build, reinforce or bond wood surfaces. It contains no solvents, will not…

If you’re looking for a high quality, durable exterior wood putty for large gaps and holes, the J-B Weld Wood Restore Epoxy is a great filler for you.

This epoxy filler is perfect for outdoor wood surfaces that require maximum strength and integrity. Because it’s an epoxy filler, you’ll get an extremely strong bond that a water based filler can’t match.

One thing that I like about this filler over other epoxy fillers is that I found it takes paint and stain slightly better than others, which can be a plus depending on what you’re patching.

J-B Weld Epoxy Wood Filler

Because of its strength and durability, this is the best exterior wood putty for larger gaps and cracks.

What I Liked:

  • Very strong and long lasting filler that will last for years
  • Doesn’t shrink like other fillers do
  • Stains better than other epoxy fillers

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Takes longer to dry compared to water based fillers
  • Difficult to sand compared to water based wood filler

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for one of the best epoxy wood fillers you can buy, the J-B Weld Wood Restore Epoxy is a great option. This is an extremely durable filler that’s perfect for exterior projects like decks, furniture, and other outdoor wood surfaces that I would highly recommend. While it doesn’t take stain as well as water based fillers and it’s a little more expensive, it’s going to be much more durable making it perfect for outdoor use.

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5. Bondo Wood Filler – Best for Small Holes

Sale
Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler, Sandable in 15 min, 1.9 lbs with 1 oz…
  • TWO-PART FORMULA chemically bonds with surface to adhere permanently
  • QUICK, DURABLE REPAIRS to damaged and rotted wood
  • USE ON MOST WOOD-BASED interior or exterior surfaces

Bondo Wood Filler is another great choice to fill rotten wood on outdoor projects. This is another epoxy filler, meaning you’ll have to mix the filler before you can apply it.

The strength and durability is similar to the other epoxy based wood fillers I’ve mentioned, but it’s slightly more affordable.

This wood filler dries faster than others, which can help save you some time if you’ve got a lot of gaps to fill.

Bondo Wood Filler

What I Liked:

  • Very strong and durable filler that will last for years
  • More affordable than other epoxy fillers
  • Doesn’t shrink like other fillers do

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Not quite as strong as the previous epoxy fillers
  • Difficult to sand compared to water based wood filler
  • Doesn’t stain as well as others

My Thoughts:

If you want an epoxy wood filler but don’t want to spend a fortune, this Bondo Wood Filler is a great choice. It has everything you could want in an epoxy filler, at a lower price than the others. While I don’t think it’s quite as strong as the PC Woody or WoodEpox fillers, this is much stronger than most other wood filler products.

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6. Goodfilla Wood & Grain Filler – Easiest to Apply

Water-Based Wood & Grain Filler (Trowel Ready) – Neutral Base – 1 Quart By Goodfilla | Replace…
  • ⚒️ HIGH QUALITY & MONEY SAVING: Save time and money with this wood filler that does not shrink, sink, or crack, and has excellent adhesion. Only need to apply once, and it…
  • ⚒️ DESIGNED FOR PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKERS: The only water-based, non-latex/acrylic, trowel-ready wood filler in the world. Innovative and easy-to-use, it’s designed for…
  • ⚒️ MADE FOR EVERY HANDY-PERSON & WOODWORKER: Whether you have furniture to repair, a floor to finish, a craft to complete or an instrument to finish, this is YOUR product….

If you’re in the market for water based wood fillers, this Goodfilla Wood and Grain Filler is another solid choice.

It’s very similar to the Minwax wood filler above, with a few differences.

This wood filler has real wood fibers to add strength making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor applications.

This filler dries quickly and does a pretty good job matching the wood grain so you can stain or paint it once dried.

This wood filler comes in different colors, so you can better match the surround wood – which really sets this filler apart from others. If color matching is important to you, go with this filler.

Goodfilla Wood Filler

What I Liked:

  • Great for both interior and exterior applications
  • Extremely easy to apply

What I Didn’t Like:

  • Not nearly as strong or durable as solvent based wood fillers
  • Won’t last too long if constantly exposed to the elements

My Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a solid indoor and exterior wood filler, this Goodfilla Wood & Grain Filler is worth a look. It’s similar to the Minwax wood filler except this one comes in a variety of different colors so you can easy blend it in. It also dries slightly faster, which can be convenient. That said, this isn’t going to be nearly as durable as a solvent based wood filler – so keep that in mind if you want something that’s going to last. Otherwise, this is one of the best wood fillers for many different applications including filling large holes.

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What to Consider When Purchasing an Outdoor Wood Filler

Durability

If you’re using wood filler outdoors, you need a product that will withstand the test of time.

In general, solvent based wood fillers are going to be much more durable than water based fillers.

But they do require more work to apply because you’ll have to mix them with a wood hardener. Additionally, these wood fillers also come with a higher price tag.

That said, unless you want to have to patch your holes and gaps often, I believe an epoxy filler is worth the extra work and money.

Drying Time

If drying time is important to you, you’ll want to go with a water based filler like the Minwax or Goodfilla wood fillers.

The drying time for wood filler will depend on its forumla and how thick you apply it, but it should take less than 24 hours to dry for most wood fillers.

Appearance & Look

When it comes to exterior wood fillers, appearance and look might not be something that’s overly important to you, but for some applications it can make a difference.

For example, if you’re working on a project that’s a staple of your outdoor area – you might want the cracks and gaps in your wood to be covered so it doesn’t stand out.

If this is important for your job, you want to look for a filler that’s easy to sand and stain. Some exterior wood fillers will have a tougher time with this than others. For example, epoxy fillers won’t accept stain nearly as well as an interior wood filler.

Formula

There are a couple main types of exterior wood fillers you can use.

The two common types are water based fillers or solvent based fillers.

In general, solvent based fillers will last much longer than water based options, but they’re often much more expensive and can be difficult to paint or stain.

Price

If price is a big consideration, you’ll want to go with a water based filler or the Bondo Epoxy filler. These are more affordable than the others, although they may not last quite as long.

For most exterior wood fillers, you can expect to spend less than $75. But some can cost as little as $15.

How to Use Exterior Wood Fillers

1. Clean the Wood

Before using exterior wood fillers, it’s important to clean up the area and ensure your filler can adhere to the wood.

I recommend using a stiff brush that can remove any damaged wood from the area. Your goal is to roughen up the wood so your wood putty can stick to the surface.

2. Prep Wood Filler

Mix Wood Filler

If you’re using an epoxy filler, now is the time to mix the filler with the hardening compound. If you’re using a water based filler, you can skip this step. I like to use a putty knife to mix the compounds, but you can use anything else that’s capable.

3. Apply the Filler

Finally, it’s time to apply the filler. You can use a putty knife to spread the filler around the wood. If there are large holes and gaps, be sure to fill these deep areas by pressing down into the hole.

4. Let it Dry

Stainable Wood Filler

Once you’ve applied the filler, you need to give it time to dry. The time it takes wood filler to dry will vary depending on the type of filler and how thick it’s applied. In most cases, your filler should be dry within 24 hours but in some cases it could take less than 2 hours to dry.

5. Apply 2nd Coat

If necessary, you might want to apply another coat of filler if you notice that the first coat has shrunk and there is still a small gap. This can add some additional strength to the area and ensure it lasts even longer.

Here’s a great video showing how to fill holes in decks.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the best outdoor wood filler is the PC Woody Wood Repair filler. This is an extremely durable filler that’s great for outdoor projects and exterior wood. It will last for years and is perfect for filling rotten wood.

If you want something more affordable, the Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is a great choice for exterior wood. While it won’t last as long as epoxy fillers, it still does a great job and blends in well to the surrounding wood.