Best filler

[Dave@CDF]

What is the general consensus for best filler paste? This is mostly for use on MDF. I have used Baroque art guilders paste and Amaco nail hole and corner filler. The Baroque art dries out in the can and the Amaco never seems to completely dry.

What have people had the best luck with and where do you get it?

I know I should not need to use it often and rarely do with wood anymore. I need it mostly on the smaller MDF wrapped frames where there is little flex in the shorter pieces of mouldings to tighten up the corners.

 

[JFeig]

Amaco nail hole filler is made from wax. It was never intended to dry. You can however increase the hardness of it by melting it and adding some paraffin wax to a hardness to your liking.

 

[Susan May]

I used to use a regular wood filler to fill holes, and the wax for cover ups.

 

[Grey Owl]

Also, I generally use wood filler, and then acrylic paint for color. But sometimes I do use the wax sticks from Attach-ez that you melt, and can blend. It kind of depends on the moulding.

 

[The Gilded Lily]

Been using this Liberon Frame Filler for years and years. It's a wax that is completely blendable by kneading small amounts. Most times, I stick a small amount in the microwave for 10-12 seconds. Wipes off clean, doesn't smear. I have it in 20 flavors BUT the only problem that I'm running into is that I can't find anyone in the US that handles it any more to reorder some colors that I'm low or out of. Used to get it from United. Even emailed Liberon in Jolly-Old-England. They gave me some names but to no avail. Lion doesn't seem to handle it here either. Sooo if anyone has a lead or a product similar, I'll jump on it in a heartbeat.

 

[Prospero]

The Liberon stuff is good for small touch-ups. It does tend to go hard as a pot will last for years, but adding mineral spirit will soften it up. having said that, when it's gone a bit hard you can mould it to fill bigger holes. So ideally you want an old pot and a new pot on hand.

Bigger gaps - decorators filler. The fine surface varieties are best because they dry hard. Again, they can be a bit runny in a new pot so leaving a bit to half-set makes it more workable. A quick dab of suitable color acrylic paint will complete the fill.

Beware fillers with powerful solvents. Great for plain wood that is going to be finished over, but not good for finished mouldings.