6 Easy DIY Ways to Fix Cracks, Gaps, & Holes in Wood

Filling cracks in wood can be easy and quick as long as you have the right tools for the job. From simple nicks and scratches to large cracks or holes, we’ve got all you need to fix wood. For medium-sized holes and gaps, you can use wood filler or make your own wood filler by mixing wood glue and sawdust. For larger holes, epoxy is your best bet. After some blending and sanding, you’ll get your wood looking brand-new in no time.

Best Way to Fill Cracked Wood

If the crack goes all the way through the wood, place painter’s tape on one side. Squeeze wood glue into the crack or hole until it’s filled. Pour sawdust over the hole and rub it into the crack with your finger. Let it dry for 24 hours, then sand the area with 120 to 220 grit sandpaper until it’s smooth.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using Wood Filler on Medium-Sized Cracks

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Press the wood filler into the hole with your finger or a putty knife. Wood fillers are best for small, nail-sized holes to larger quarter-sized holes or gaps in unfinished wood.^{[1]
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Research source} Fill the crack or hole until the compound overfills the area. The filler shrinks as it dries, so overfilling the hole makes sure that no gaps are left.^{[2]
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- Furniture refinishing and home remodeling specialists William & Shannon Latil say that “Wood filler of a similar color to your furniture can be found at most furniture hardwood stores.”
- After the filler dries, you’ll sand down the area to make sure that the hole is flush with the rest of the wood.
- If you want to color the wood later, make sure the label says the product is stainable. It’ll take on the color of the stain, blending in with the wood.
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Allow the wood filler to dry for up to 8 hours. Depending on the size of the hole and your product, the filler can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours to dry completely. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for the specific timeframe.^{[3]
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- Water-based wood filler tends to dry slower, while petroleum-based filler is faster.^{[4]
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Sand the excess filler until it’s flush with the surrounding wood. Blend the cracked area with a sandpaper that has grit between 120 and 220. Wear away the filler until it’s as flat against the wood as you can make it.^{[5]
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Research source} When you’re done, the filler will blend in with the wood. If it doesn’t, the Latils recommend lightly brushing a matching color stain over the area.
- Follow the instructions on your stain or paint for its instructions on application and drying time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Wood Filler Sticks for Small Scratches & Holes

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Rub a filler stick that’s the same color as the wood over the hole. Filler sticks are crayon-like wood repair tools used for small holes, like from nails or screws. If you’re using a filler stick, simply rub the stick over the crack until the hole fills.^{[6]
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- Some sticks may have you use a lighter or hair dryer to melt the filler so it evenly covers the crack.
- Once you’re done, wipe off the excess with your finger, a cloth, or a rag.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Using Wood Putty for Small Gaps & Holes

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Apply the wood putty over the crack with a putty knife. Wood putty is best for minor cracks, dents, and holes for indoor wood that’s already stained or varnished. The filler shrinks as it dries, so try to overfill the hole a little bit, then use a putty knife to scrape away the excess.^{[7]
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Research source} If you don’t have a putty knife, use an old credit card or another piece of flat plastic to smooth the surface.
- Buy wood putty in the same color as your wood. If you can’t find the exact shade, buy different colors and mix them together to create the shade you need.^{[8]
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- Wood putty is not stainable, paintable, or sandable, so it’s best for minor holes in wood that has already been colored and finished.^{[9]
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- Wood putty is unsafe to use on finished wood. Apply stain or sealant to your wood ahead of time to create a barrier between the wood and the putty.^{[10]
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- You can also wipe the palm of your hand back and forth across the surface to smooth it.^{[11]
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Let the wood filler dry for up to 72 hours. The amount of time needed for the filler material to dry depends on the product, the size of the hole, and the humidity level, so check the label on your putty for the recommended wait time. Wood putty may take as long as 72 hours to dry, but some may take only 8 hours.^{[12]
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- If your putty dries out in its container, add a few drops of acetone to soften it and make it usable again.^{[13]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Filling Medium-Sized Cracks with Glue and Sawdust

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Squeeze wood glue into the crack or hole you want to fill. Press the nozzle against the crack and squeeze the container until the glue fills the entire space you need to repair.^{[14]
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Research source} For small cracks, use a syringe to ensure the glue gets all the way down inside the crack.
- If the crack goes all the way through the wood, place a piece of painter’s tape on the other side to make sure the glue doesn’t soak through to your surface.
- Alternatively, make a small pile of sawdust and mix in wood glue until the dust becomes a putty-like texture. Use a putty knife to smooth the putty into the hole.^{[15]
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Cover the glue with sawdust and work it in with your finger. Layer sawdust over the glue to completely cover it. Rub your finger over the crack to ensure the glue holds the sawdust in place. When you’re finished, the sawdust will hide the glue from view, blending in with the rest of the wood.^{[16]
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- For the best blend, get some sawdust from the same piece of wood by sawing or sanding it. If that’s not possible, you can also buy sawdust from your local hardware store.
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Let the wood glue dry for 24 hours. Most wood glues take a few seconds to 2 hours to bond to the wood, but they can take up to 24 hours to cure fully. Before sanding the area, allow the glue to dry completely over at least 1 day.^{[17]
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- If your crack goes all the way through the wood, secure a clamp around the two sides to make sure the wood keeps its shape.
4
Sand the filled crack until it’s smooth. Go over the crack with a piece of sandpaper that’s between 120 and 220 grit. Carefully rub the treated area with the sandpaper until the filler is flat and unnoticeable.^{[18]
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- If there are still small gaps or holes in the wood, go over the area again with the wood glue and sawdust.^{[19]
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- After that, apply whatever stain or paint you’d like to match the filled-in area to the surrounding wood.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Fixing Large Cracks & Holes with Epoxy

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Cover the area around and behind the hole with masking tape. Seal the areas around each crack or hole with pieces of painter’s tape or masking tape. This will protect the surface around the hole from the epoxy.^{[20]
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Research source} If the crack goes all the way through the wood, tape over one side to protect your surface.
- Make sure the area you’re working in is well-ventilated. If you’re working indoors, open a window and plug in a fan. Make sure to wear a respirator mask.
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Mix equal parts of the epoxy components together. Follow the instructions on your epoxy kit to mix the parts together. Most epoxy consists of two parts packaged together—the resin and the hardener.^{[21]
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Research source} Usually, you will add one pump or bottle of each to a small plastic bowl or cup.
- The epoxy immediately begins to harden when the parts are combined. You’ll have about 5 minutes to get it into the crack, so start with a small batch.
Bob Flexner, Wood Finishing Expert

When dealing with cracks and splits in wood, start by thoroughly cleaning out any debris so the filler can form a strong bond. For narrow cracks, cyanoacrylate (CA) glue is excellent for stability and strength. Wider cracks are best filled with epoxy thickened with wood flour or sawdust — adding tinting pigments allows you to match the surrounding wood color.
Pick an epoxy coloring dye or powdered pigment that matches the color of your wood. Follow the instructions on the dye and apply a drop of dye or sprinkle of powder to color the epoxy.^{[22]
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Research source} Stir the mixture quickly with a popsicle stick or plastic spoon.
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Spoon the mixture into the crack so it slightly overfills the area. Transfer the epoxy to the hole or gap using the stirring spoon or stick.^{[23]
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Research source} If your epoxy is more of a putty-like texture, use a putty knife to push it as far into the crack as possible.^{[24]
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Research source} If you don’t have enough to fill the entire crack, follow the steps above to make more and pour it into the hole.
- Use a needle to pop any bubbles that appear when pouring the epoxy.
- You can also hold a lighter or torch 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) above the epoxy after you’ve finished applying it to the crack to get rid of any bubbles.^{[25]
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Let the epoxy dry overnight and level the epoxy with sandpaper. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions to see how long to let the epoxy dry—most epoxies dry overnight.^{[26]
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Research source} Cut away any excess epoxy with a putty knife, then use fine grit (120-220) sandpaper or a file to carefully flatten the epoxy-treated area until it’s level with the rest of the wood.^{[27]
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- Using a block chisel can prevent you from sanding off part of the wood.
- Once you’re done, use a felt tipped marker to fill in any undyed specs in the epoxy.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Repairing Small Cracks & Holes with CA Glue

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Fill small narrow cracks and holes with CA glue. A medium thickness CA glue is perfect for filling small holes and cracks.^{[28]
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Research source} To apply it, simply squeeze the bottle out into the crack until it’s completely filled.^{[29]
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- Sand down the surface of the wood first if it’s finished. Otherwise, apply the glue straight onto the wood.^{[30]
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- Medium thickness CA glue typically only takes 20 seconds to dry without using an accelerator. If you spray an accelerator on top, that time reduces to 5 seconds.^{[31]
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Apply CA glue and accelerator in stages on larger holes. Thick CA glue is best for larger holes and gaps in your wood surface.^{[32]
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Research source} To fill a deep hole or a large gap, fill it halfway with CA glue, then spray accelerator on top. Wait 10 seconds for it to dry, then fill it the rest of the way with the CA glue, overfilling it slightly. Spray accelerator on top.^{[33]
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- Accelerator speeds up the drying time of thick glue from 40 to 50 seconds to around 10 seconds.^{[34]
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Sand the area down until it’s smooth. After you’ve finished applying the CA glue and the necessary accelerator, use a fine grit sandpaper (120-220) or a nail file to gently sand down the area. Continue sanding until the area is flush with the surrounding wood.^{[35]
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- Apply whatever paint or stain you’d like to match the area with the surrounding wood.

Community Q&A

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Question

I'm using epoxy resin to seal a crack in wood. Masking tape did not work, and resin leaked out within minutes. What kind of tape would be best to use?

Terry Heaps

Community Answer

I've always used a product called "Plastic Wood." for all my crack and nail hole puttying. It is the best product in my estimate. With that being said, any hardware store will carry "Frog Tape." It's green in color and sticks to any semi-smooth surface very well. Painters and carpenters love the stuff because nothing will seep under it. Pulling it off leaves a nice clean sharp line.

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Question

When using epoxy resin, what kind of tape should I use to seal off the underside of a wood crack?

Community Answer

Use plastic, wood or frog tape. You can buy them at hardware stores.

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I have a tongue and groove 2x6 raw wood floor that has dried and shrunk. What should I fill the gaps in with? I want to paint the floor after I fill the gaps.

Community Answer

You can buy floor leveler, of the type used to level floors before laying vinyl. Fill in the cracks, then sand level.

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Tips

While wood putty is an oil-based compound made with plastic ingredients, wood filler is a mixture of wood fibers and a binder that hardens. Filler is similar to using glue and sawdust.^{[36]
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Use denatured alcohol to clean epoxy off of surfaces and utensils.

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Vinegar can be used to remove epoxy from skin.

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Warnings

Sanding wood leaves wood particles in the air. Wear a respirator to avoid inhaling them.

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Working with chemicals can be dangerous. Wear a respirator and work in a well-ventilated area.

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