What is the best to use to fill brad holes on wood cabinets?
by
Diana Ward
+4
I am in the process of remodeling my builders grade wood cabinets, adding strips of wood to make them shaker style. What is the best stuff to use to cover the brad holes? I've tried caulk and some wood filler but I haven't been happy with the finished look. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong.
Basic wood putty closely matched to your wood color.
Once you fill, you have to sand, and fill again and sometimes a third time. Let it dry completely each time and with a super fine grit. It shrinks a bit as it dries that is why you have to keep at it.
Are you planning on staining or painting? If staining, make sure you add stain to the wood putty or use a putty that is matched. It doesn't stain well once it dries.
Fill & sand process in the above advice by Mar is a good way to go. You will always be able to see the difference if you stain instead of paint.
If you haven't done all of them, you might want to change your method and use an adhesive instead of nailing or at least reduce the number of nails.
The advice to use wood putty and sand is the correct one if you are going to paint. And then use a good primer to cover the wood grain of your cabinets. To make them look professionally done use a paintable caulk around the new wood inside and outside of the shaker pieces. Best of luck!
Update on the wood putty - I've learned it goes on a lot easier if I apply it with a small putty knife. I can press the wood putty in the area a lot easier and have a fairly flat surface from the putty knife. Much cleaner! I still have to sand after it dries but I seem to get a better application when I use the putty knife. Just my thoughts....
The final sand paper should be high grit number like 300 or better then you will get a nice smooth surface. By the way I love Elmer's wood putty, it can even be molded into shapes if necessary.