Wood putty and fillers are often used to repair imperfections and restore the appearance of wood surfaces. But can they be used to securely hold a screw?

The answer depends on the specific type of wood putty or filler you’re using. 

Different brands have varying compositions and properties, which directly affect their ability to grip and support screws. Some harden significantly and provide a stable base for screws, while others maintain a softer, more pliable consistency that may not be as secure.

Luckily, Durham’s Wood Putty & Filler can reliably hold a screw in place.

Does Durham’s Wood Putty & Filler Hold a Screw?

Yes, Durham’s Wood Putty & Filler can hold a screw. 

Unlike most wood fillers and putties, which are typically acrylic or nitrocellulose-based, Durham’s Wood Putty & Filler utilizes a gypsum-based formula. 

Gypsum hardens completely after drying, creating a solid, wood-like surface that can effectively grip screw threads. You can drill into Durham’s Putty and insert screws much like you would with natural wood. 

Using Wood Putty to Repair a Screw Hole

Wood putty is a quick and easy solution for concealing unsightly blemishes in wood. Here’s how to use it to repair a screw hole: 

Materials 

• Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty 
• Putty knife 
• Sandpaper or sanding block 
• Damp paper towel or rag 

Step 1: Clean the Surrounding Area

Using a damp paper towel or rag, clean the wood to remove dust, dirt, or loose particles. If you’re working with rough wood, sand the rough edges near the area you’re planning to fill. Cleaning the area ensures better adhesion and a smooth, seamless finish. 

Step 2: Prepare the Putty/Filler

Pour Durham’s Wood Putty into a clean dish/disposable cup and gradually add water while stirring continuously. You want the consistency to be similar to thick pancake batter or peanut butter. We recommend a ratio of about 3 parts powder to 1 part water, but you can adjust as needed. 

The wood putty sets quickly, so prepare just enough as needed. Adding a small amount of vinegar with water can extend the working time of the mixture.

Step 3: Cover the Screw Holes

Scoop out a small amount of wood filler with a putty knife and smear it against the screw holes. You want to apply liberally so all gaps are filled. Make sure to scrape the putty knife over the surface to remove the extra before it hardens. 

Durham’s Wood Putty dries to a natural cream color. You can change the color by applying a water-based stain, water-based paint, or dry pigment onto the mixture as you’re preparing it. Avoid oil-based coloring as it may prevent the putty from hardening.

Step 4: Buff and Dry

Let the wood putty sit for five minutes then, using a damp paper towel or cloth, buff the area using a quick back-and-forth motion. This technique ensures a paper-smooth finish as it dries completely. 

After that, leave the putty to dry. Drying times vary depending on your area’s humidity and temperature, as well as the size of the putty. For larger and deeper repairs, let it dry for up to 24 hours before painting, sanding, or drilling. For smaller repairs, 8 to 12 hours is sufficient. 

Step 5: Sand For a Smooth Finish

Once the wood putty is completely dry, sand the area with a sanding block or fine sandpaper until smooth. Then, clean the area with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue sawdust. 

And that’s it—you’ve successfully repaired a screw hole using wood putty!

Wood Filler for Screw Holes

Wood fillers dry and harden completely, making them suitable for areas that will be sanded or drilled. They’re typically more durable and offer a smoother finish after sanding and painting. Wood fillers are best for larger holes, cracks, or imperfections. 

Wood putty, on the other hand, remains somewhat flexible and doesn’t harden completely, making it ideal for surface-level repairs like small nail holes or scratches on finished wood.

Durham’s Wood Putty is gypsum base allows it to harden completely when dry, enabling it to be sawed, sanded, polished, chiseled, and drilled into. 

If you’re planning to insert a screw into a wood filler, make sure to let it dry completely. Then, level the filled area with sandpaper. 

Before inserting a screw, drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the screw diameter. You can insert the screw directly onto the filler but doing so increases the risk of splitting the wood filler, so we recommend against it.  

TL;DR

Not all wood putties and fillers can hold a screw. 

Generally, wood fillers work better than wood putties for screws because they harden to create a strong, durable surface capable of holding screws. Wood putties, on the other hand, remain soft and pliable even when dry, so they may not hold screws as reliably. 

Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty is an exception to this rule because, unlike most water- and solvent-based putties, it completely hardens once dry. So, if you want to screw on a nail, Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty is a good choice.