Filling Wood Cracks with Colored Epoxy

There are many different techniques for filling holes in furniture. One way to close the hole is by filling wood cracks with colored epoxy.

A woodworker needs to understand the technique of using epoxy. The surface of the furniture is guaranteed to be smooth again without holes.

You can apply this technique to various furniture, so it’s not just for tables. Covering the hole with epoxy can prevent dust from collecting as well. Dust that collects in ​​​​the furniture holes is more difficult to clean.

The epoxy sealing process can also prevent further damage. Buying epoxy is also easy and more affordable than you have to replace the entire surface of the furniture.

Choose an epoxy that is transparent in color so it will be easier to camouflage with other furniture surfaces.

Why Fill wood cracks with colored epoxy?

Wood crack filling is filling cracks in wood with colored epoxy. The gaps can be found on various surfaces, including furniture, trim, and doors.

Fill the cracks with colored epoxy to restore the original color and to provide a durable, easy-to-clean finish.

Below are some reasons why you need to fill wood cracks with epoxy resin:

To improve the appearance of wood

Wood cracks don’t look good because they are different in texture, color, and pattern from the rest of the piece of wood.

It’s crucial to fill wood cracks with colored epoxy to make them look better and improve the woodworking look.

To Improve wood’s functional quality

When a piece of wood has cracks, the length of the piece is no longer the same, which makes the wood weaker. The epoxy resin sticks to wood and creates a stronger surface than cracked wood.

Filling cracks in wood with colored epoxy is essential if you want to strengthen the wood.

To Improve wood utility

Sometimes cracks in wood happen in odd positions. Filling cracks in wood with colored epoxy makes the wood look and work better.

One can do more woodworking projects now that the cracks in engineered wood can fit in different ways.

What Kind Of Epoxy Do You Use To Fill Wood Cracks?

Most of the time, epoxy resin is the best way to fill cracks in the wood. Make sure you choose an epoxy resin that is made to work with wood when you buy one.

There are different kinds of resin, some of which might not work for this purpose.

The resin should also flow easily into the cracks without leaving any gaps or bubbles.

Once you’ve chosen your resin, mix it according to the directions given by the manufacturer. Be careful not to mix the epoxy too much, or air bubbles could form in it.

After mixing the epoxy, you should use it as soon as possible, so it doesn’t start to harden.

How to fill wood cracks with colored epoxy

Epoxy is a versatile, waterproof, rigid, and strong material used to repair wood. It can be used for filling the cracks in wooden surfaces.

The material is colored, so it appears to be part of the wood, like a stain. It is a good option to repair the cracks because they are easy to apply and durable.

Below are the details on how to fill wood cracks with colored epoxy resin.

1. Prepare Equipment

You already know the basics of filling furniture holes using epoxy. You can prepare equipment such as two-part liquid epoxy, disposable containers, pigments, masking tape, sandpaper, needles, and latex gloves.

You can also buy all of the equipment mentioned in the building shop. Even some of the handicraft shops also sell equipment for furniture hole-filling projects.

We also explained that it is important for you to use disposable containers. Disposable containers are important when working on this project because the epoxy dries quickly and is difficult to clean.

Don’t be surprised if the sponge you use is also disposable, so it can’t be used again when you’ve finished closing the holes in the furniture.

Make sure you also always use gloves when doing this activity. The problem is that dry epoxy is difficult to remove if you only use regular hand washing.

2. Choose a High-Quality Epoxy Filter

It is important to buy quality epoxy. Quality epoxy can bond well on the surface of the furniture.

Often quality epoxy also has a stronger strength so that it is durable in use for a long time. Try to avoid cheap epoxy because it often has a poor performance in closing holes.

 The strength of the epoxy is also not good if you choose a cheap epoxy. My low-quality epoxy peels off easily because it sticks no less firmly to the furniture’s surface.

Although indeed, not all high-quality epoxy is expensive. It’s a good idea to order epoxy from a certain brand.

Use an epoxy product known for its high quality to reach every pore of the furniture surface properly. Products that are known for their quality are usually also durable.

3. Prepare the Furniture Surface

Every time you want to start using epoxy on a furniture surface, you need to clean the surface in question.

Surfaces free from dust can help the epoxy adhere tightly to the furniture’s surface.

Cleaning the entire surface is also necessary for the hollow area. Often the hollow area has dust from wood chips.

Wood chips can also interfere with attaching the epoxy to the furniture’s surface.

You can use a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner to clean the holes. Also, check if the holes penetrate the furniture’s other side.

If the hole penetrates to the other side, you can seal it using tape. The sealing process can prevent the epoxy from leaking into other areas. Epoxy leaks can create troublesome sticky messes.

4. Use the Right Mix Ratio

Another step you should consider is using the right mix ratio. Mix the epoxy and hardener in a 1:1 ratio. However, other epoxy products suggest mixing them in different ratios.

Always read the product instructions carefully before starting to use a product. Stir the epoxy and hardener mixture using a disposable spoon, likewise with the bowl used to mix the epoxy and hardener.

Stir the mixture until it’s the right thickness, and then put it aside. It is important to note that the hardener should not be more than recommended.

Using too much hardener increases the cracking range of the epoxy.

The result will make the epoxy less durable. This should still be applied even if you use a quality epoxy. Do not be too eager to make the epoxy dry quickly.

5. Color the epoxy

The next step you can take is to color the epoxy. The way to color it only needs to use mica powder and alcohol ink.

The pigment color selected can vary according to taste. The process of giving color to the liquid epoxy is quite easy.

Mix the color pigments with a disposable spoon until they are evenly mixed. You can even choose a color similar to the furniture’s surface to cover the hole perfectly.

Guaranteed, the hole’s appearance will be appropriately disguised using this technique.

The result can also provide a very smooth surface. No longer need to replace the existing hollow wood parts in a piece of furniture.

If necessary, tint the epoxy

For inlay work, epoxy can be colored to match the wood around it.

When you fill in cracks, you can make them disappear and look like they were always there.

Tinting the epoxy also helps hide any small gaps or differences between the pieces of your inlay.

Also, learn how to fill wood cracks before painting.

6. Pour Epoxy

After mixing with the color pigments, you can start pouring the epoxy liquid. Take your time and do it carefully so there won’t be a mess.

Keep pouring until the epoxy surface is the same as the furniture’s surface. Add more epoxy to the hole until it is higher than the furniture’s surface.

Later you can use sandpaper to flatten the epoxy’s surface so that it looks the same as the furniture’s surface.

7. Remove Bubble and Let Dry

In this step, you need to remove the bubbles in the crack. You can pop the bubble using a needle. It can also be heated briefly to free the bubbles from the epoxy.

Do this immediately before the epoxy starts to dry. If it is already dry, the bubbles will stay on the furniture and be difficult to eliminate.

Allowing the epoxy to dry will take some time. The deeper the crack, the longer it will take. There’s nothing wrong with letting the epoxy dry overnight.

8. Sanding

The next day you can continue sanding with 200 grit Sandpaper.

To use colored epoxy resin to fill cracks in wood, you must keep your sander flat and level.

If you start digging with one side of the sander to get rid of the extra epoxy faster, you’ll probably end up with inconsistencies.

9. Finishing

If the sanding process ends, you can proceed to the finishing process.

The finishing process can be done using tung oil or linseed oil, but remember, oils will not absorb the same way in epoxy as bare wood, and they won’t absorb at all. However, for most film finishes, the coat will adhere as if directly to the wood.

I recommend you choose a film and finish like lacquer in most cases where you use epoxy as your wood filler product. Test some oils if you like, but there will be a slight difference in that area.

How to Mix Epoxy Filler That Comes in Two Parts

When mixing your two-part epoxy, here are some tips that will help you do a better job from the start:

  • Make sure to pour out the same amount of hardener and resin. Most products are a 50/50 mix unless you are told otherwise.
  • Please don’t let yourself lose too much of the hardener. It might help your filler set up a little faster, but it will also make it more brittle.
  • Mix the product well with a small towel or toothpicks, making sure to clean the toothpick and the edges of the container as you go.
  • Don’t be afraid to mix the product for about a minute to ensure the two chemicals are mixed well.

Tips for Filling Cracks in Wood

The easiest way to use this two-part epoxy mixture to fill cracks is to pour it from the container into the crack. On the other hand, there are many things that you may do to simplify the procedure.

First, look at the crack at the bottom of the piece of wood. If the crack penetrates completely, you’ll need to construct a dam to prevent the epoxy from pouring out the other side.

Applying some masking tape to the base of the crack could prove to be one of the most helpful actions for you to perform in this particular scenario.

If you press it firmly against the wood on both sides, it will seal perfectly, and keep your epoxy where you want it.

After that, you need to fill the gap as deeply and evenly as possible, slightly overfilling the top so you can sand it down later. You don’t want to fill it too little, so always add a little more.

Give the product 24 hours to cure, or whatever time the epoxy manufacturer suggests. Please do not disregard this step because you can’t sand the epoxy until it’s scorched.

Final Thought

Filling cracks in wood with colored epoxy is a good idea because it makes the wood look better and makes it stronger and more useful.

To fill cracks in wood with colored epoxy, you need to follow a few easy steps and read up on the product to ensure you get the best results.

Practice a little before using what you’ve learned on your real woodworking projects. This lets you train yourself in an environment without real consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions