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Bondo or Wood Putty?

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ecaryn

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Please share your opinions and reasoning behind them on your choice of using Bondo (stuff used to repair car dings and dents) or regular wood putty to fill dents, holes, clean up plywood edges, etc on wood for finishing projects.

I know several carpenters and painters who swear by Bondo or the like for these applications. I've always stuck with wood putty but would be interested in knowing the benefits of the other. Thanks all.
 
#2 ·
I've always used bondo for steel doors and frames and putty for wood. But if bondo holds up on something that flexes with temperature changes, vibration and being exposed to rain, maybe it's a better choice.

I think you'd have to be prepared for the differences in working time though.
 
#3 ·
For anything that won't be getting wet (ie: exterior) I will use Bondo or putty. Usually if I have bigger holes to fill I will use bondo. If they are smaller (nail holes) I will Likely use putty. If I need it to be done quick, bondo. Putty has the chance to be stainable while bondo is a paint grade only option. If you need to do exterior puttying use glazing compound. You can paint it immediately and it will never shrink.
 
#7 ·
Ive never tried bondo on a trim job but i have done and see it alot on custom speaker enclosures for car and home audio. They build the basic shape out of wood and use bondo and/or fiberglass to get the custom look they want. Then it is painted or covered with material. Speaker boxes especially subwoofer enclosures are very high in vibration and bondo holds in there very well.
 
#8 ·
Bondo is fine for inside or outside. I have worked at the 2 largest trim companies in Palm Beach, FL and the largest one in Greenwich, CT and they both use bondo. (all very high end outfits)

Bondo is good for a quick fix on paint grade, can be sanded and painted within an hour.

Epoxy is good too, especially for larger knots and holes on finish grade hardwoods.
MH Ready Patch works well too, for paint grade, but takes time to dry for bigger applications.

Putty is good for nailholes and small gaps in miters on finish wood.

They all have their place and should be on hand at all times if you are a trimmer.
 
#9 ·
Jason W said:
Same here. Wood epxoy for wood, why do anything else?

Bondo is for steel and fiberglass, not wood.
Click to expand...
I'm not arguing that epoxy fillers are better, however, as far as bondo goes, what do you think Minwax 2 part wood filler is? It's bondo w/ a different color cream hardener.
 
#10 ·
Bondo is great for all kinds of uses metal or wood, i also used it outdoors on a few small rot holes in wood siding and its held up very well, its probably best for med size holes that are more easily workable, in the open. than as a nail filler,or tiny nicks
Repaired a piece of vintage molding missing a small chunk, didn't have time or resources to get a new piece, made it look like a new piece with bondo. Shapes fairly easy when first applied .Its a good filler.
 
#11 ·
If you are good enough, it doesn't really matter what you use.

I was on a job installing a bank teller line. The manufacturer of the teller line had drilled a 2 1/2" hole in the wrong spot, very much visible to everyone. It was pre-finished mahogany colored alder, I think. The finisher came out, filled the hole with bondo, colored the bondo, and painted in wood grain. In the end, you could be 1' away and not see the hole.
 
#12 ·
Red Horse 554

BONDO IS THE BEST PRODUCT UNLESS IT IS BEING STAINED IT WILL GIVE YOU BETTER SERVICE AND HOLDS UP FAR BETTER THAN ANY PUTTY.MOST PUTTYS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PAINT AND IF YOU LIVE IN A AREA THAT IS HEAVY WET TO DRY YOU WILL FACE EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING THAT WILL ALLOW THE PUTTY TO FAIL WHERE THE BONDO WILL HOLD UP IN THIS KIND OF CONDISHION.I USE BONDO INSIDE AS WELL IF IT IS BEING PAINTED IF STAINED THEN A PUTTY IS REQUIRED.I SAY BONDO IS THE BEST FOR LONG TERM SERVICE AND SHOULD BE USED.PUTTY IF YOU HAVE TO. :thumbsup:
 
#13 ·
Wood Putty is for homeowners and furniture restore!

Bondo(Minwax 2-part) is the best in my opinion. Although Epoxy sounds like a good idea, especially for outside. Setup and storage seems cumbersome though.

Stain grade work shouldn't need filler. Time spent filling, cleaning up, and sanding is usually far more than the three trips to the chopper.
 
#19 ·
jmeg said:
Do you mean the putty itself, or nail heads? Both leave this shiny hole you speak of.
When a question about glue or hidden fastening arises I will be interested in hearing more from you.
Click to expand...
I'm talking about filling nail holes
in pre-stained casing/base.
 
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#20 ·
If the cabinet will be painted, BONDO is your best route. Wood putty tends to crack when it dryes up, especially after a finish is applied.

If it's a stain grade product DO NOT USE BONDO, wood putty will have to do, i just hope it's not a big hole to be patched..in time it will crack.

I work with high end cabinets & we use both products daily.
 
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