DIY – All About Painter’s Putty

Painter’s putty is a clay-doe like substance used to fill small holes. These are usually holes in walls and other surfaces that were created when nails were removed. This product is can be smoothed out while it’s being applied. So, no sanding is necessary to create a smooth finish that’s ready for a coat of paint.

Painter’s putty is commonly used on glaze wood and metal sash. One of its main use is to fill areas where nail heads have been sunk into the wall, leaving a small nail head sized hole. It can also be used to fill cracks and small crevices in the wall as well.

Painter’s putty a water based compound. So, it’s considered safe to use and safe for the environment. It’s designed specifically to be used underneath interior and exterior water based paints. However, it has been found to work just as well underneath conventional oil based paints too. As with most water base products, it has a very fast drying time, which is why many painters like it.

Painter’s Putty Uses

• Used by many painters to fill holes and cracks in wood flooring.
• Used by painters in between painting coats to fill holes left by nails in stained woodworks.
• Can be used on floors that have already had finishing applies without having to refinish it to coat over the putty.
• Fixes breaks, tears, cracks, dents and holes in wooden furniture and concrete floors.
• Can also be used to seal the rim around garbage disposal and the rim around the bathtub drain.

Painter’s Putty Pluses

• When the putty dries, the color is almost the same as when it was wet.
• Usually dries in a nice shade of wood.
• Can be tinted to another shade by using a dry color agent.
• Dries very quickly, making it easier to finish the painting job.
• Once it dries, it cannot be manipulated. It dries hard, ready to finish.
• Can be painted over, sanded and/or a finish can be applied to make it shine like wood.

Pliable Putty

• Known as wood putty because it is actually manufactured using hardwood.
• Used to close the pores on specific types of woods, including mahogany, chestnut, butternut, ash, satinwood, oak and walnut.
• Also come in water base formulas for safer applications and disposal.
• Dries very fast, with very little shrinking.

How to Apply Painter’s Putty

1. Clean the hole you want to fill with a blade. Use the blade to cut the hole so that its exterior is larger than the interior.
2. Put painter’s putty inside the hole. Fill the entire hole, trying your best to make the surface smooth with the wall.
3. Let the painter’s putty dry completely, then sand it gently until its all smooth.
4. Paint or finish the puttied area for best results.