Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello all, I'm having trouble with the wood filler I'm using. It seems to crack too easily. I just don't like the results I'm getting from it. By the way, I'm using Elmers wood putty.

Does anyone have any that they would recommend for filling in cracks and screw holes? Also, could you list where I can find it. I plan on using trim to cover most of the seams but I need something that will fill in the screw holes and a few seams that I will not be covering with trim.

Thanks for any help.

There are a lot of products out there. This is what I used and it worked for me. Bondo Wood Filler http://store.qualitydist.net/bdo-20082.html

It's been 4 years but I think I bought it at Lowes.

I've heard of that. I may have to check it out. Thank you.

Sometimes when I need a bit of wood filler, I just mix up some fine saw dust (taken from my sander bag) with some wood glue. You can make it as thin or thick as you want.

I take it you don't have any problems with it cracking? The filler may be cracking because I have been installing the interior and banging around on it a bit. I got impatient, I probably should have waited and save the filler for the last thing. I still need to add the cabinets and a few other items. I'm going to wait until I'm done with banging it around to use the filler.

Now that you mention it, my dad used to used glue with saw dust in it. He never seemed to have any problems. So little time, so many options. Thank you for the suggestion.

Dragonryder wrote:I take it you don't have any problems with it cracking? The filler may be cracking because I have been installing the interior and banging around on it a bit. I got impatient, I probably should have waited and save the filler for the last thing. I still need to add the cabinets and a few other items. I'm going to wait until I'm done with banging it around to use the filler.

Now that you mention it, my dad used to used glue with saw dust in it. He never seemed to have any problems. So little time, so many options. Thank you for the suggestion.

No cracking problems so far, but i've never used it for really big gaps. I mostly just use it for cosmetic gaps, filling small dings and cracks. I've never used it for anything structural.

I would use it mainly for filling in screw holes and things like that.

I used the Bondo wood filler also. It will crack in some cases. If you are just fill screw head you coould countersink them & put wood plugs in & sand them smooth. I would consider a caulk for any joints/seams. It would stay flexable.

Jeremy

I use Famowood. The colors are fairly accurate and it hardens quickly. It tends to be a bit brittle until cured.

Sometimes when I need a bit of wood filler, I just mix up some fine saw dust (taken from my sander bag) with some wood glue. You can make it as thin or thick as you want.

I've done the same, though used slightly more coarse sawdust.
Don't suppose it matters though, except for the size of crack you're filling.

My biggest project was to fill some 3/4" wide by 1" deep drilled holes in the arms of an outdoor wooden rocking chair.
(to cover up the lag bolts)
Two arms, times two holes x two chairs.

Been 6 years now, the chairs sit out all year long, no cracks, still tight as new.

Nothing but sawdust and glue.

Rob

Through some forty years of woodworking (some of it for a living) Famowood is the best I've come across.

Best,
Tom

48Rob wrote:

Sometimes when I need a bit of wood filler, I just mix up some fine saw dust (taken from my sander bag) with some wood glue. You can make it as thin or thick as you want.

I've done the same, though used slightly more coarse sawdust.
Don't suppose it matters though, except for the size of crack you're filling.

My biggest project was to fill some 3/4" wide by 1" deep drilled holes in the arms of an outdoor wooden rocking chair.
(to cover up the lag bolts)
Two arms, times two holes x two chairs.

Been 6 years now, the chairs sit out all year long, no cracks, still tight as new.

Nothing but sawdust and glue.

Rob

an old woodworker I knew always did this. He used the sawdust from that wood so it would be a very match when it dried.

I don't have the patience for the Elmers + sawdust recipe; it takes too long to harden. But superglue and sawdust is a good mix, though it always ends up darker than the surrounding wood. Of course, I suffer with that with any filler. If I really want a close match, slow set superglue + maple sawdust + just enough dye to match the color is good. Hit it with a spot or hardener and your patience in mixing is rewarded with an instant-set patch. Not a bad compromise. If you use superglue make sure your sawdust is very dry or it will set before you can mix it.

It will be painted on the sides for a while then hopefully covered once I get the funds to cover with vinyl siding. The top will be covered with EPDM to make it waterproof hopefully. I do have some smaller gaps to fill so I'm thinking that I may want to use something that will stay flexible. I don't have a lot of experience with filler. Would I be better off using something like GE silicone to fill these gaps? It will be painted anyways. The problem I see is that you can't sand silicone to get that smooth finish. Like I said, I hope to cover it eventually but I would like for it to look nice painted for a while. Maybe you can't have everything. I can use the wood filler for the screw holes but I'm thinking that the silicone may be the way to go on the small gaps. They're really not gaps, just seams. These are the areas that seem to be giving me the most trouble. It keeps cracking on me. I can cover most of these seams with trim but not all. Could it be cracking because I'm still doing work on the inside, banging around on the walls. I guess I figure, if it can't take that then how will it hold up when I take it camping.

Sorry for being so long winded and thanks for all your help in this matter.

Me,

Using "caulk" to fill small gaps and cracks is an ancient painters trick.
Silicone, however good it is for many purposes, is not good for what you have in mind, as paint won't adhere to it.

If you're looking to paint over a "repaired" and less than perfect surface expecting it to be smooth as glass, Bondo, or some othe brand of auto body filler will get you the results you're after.

Rob