Wood filler is a great solution for fixing minor damages or imperfections in furniture. However, the challenge comes in when staining wood filler, trying to blend it with the surrounding wood to make it look seamless.

The good news is that there are multiple ways to do this. In this blog post, we’ll look at these four effective refinishing furniture techniques so that you can restore your wood furniture to its former glory.

photo of different results of stained wood fillers

Before we dive into the techniques, it’s important to understand that wood filler is designed to fill gaps and imperfections in wood, but it’s not meant to replace the wood itself. Keep in mind that any stain or paint you apply to it will look slightly different from the surrounding surface.

The key is to minimize the difference as much as possible so that your repair is not noticeable. You don’t want to end up with a patchy or uneven finish, and a piece of furniture that looks like it has been poorly repaired.

So, let’s explore the different techniques for staining wood filler and choose the best one for your project. They will require some patience and attention to detail, but the end result will be worth it. Let’s dive in!

Supplies used for staining wood filler

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Use a Wood Stain Marker

Using a wood stain marker is one of the simplest and quickest ways. It is especially useful for small spots that need touching up. They work like pens, making it easy to apply a stain directly to the filled area.

To use this method, allow the wood filler to dry completely and then sand it until it becomes smooth and flush with the surrounding area.

Choose a marker that matches your wood and apply it over the filler. Allow it to dry completely. While this technique doesn’t completely blend well with the surrounding surface, it does help to reduce the appearance of the repair.

However, keep in mind that the filler may not exactly match the original stain. For larger repairs or highly visible areas, other techniques may be necessary.

How to Stain Wood Filler

For this method, wait for the wood filler to dry completely, and sand it down so it is smooth and flush with the rest of the surface. Apply a matching coat of stain over it using a cloth or a brush. Here are the best brushes for staining wood you can use.

applying wood stain on top of sanded wood filler

However, keep in mind that the filler may absorb the stain differently than the surrounding wood, resulting in a slightly different color. Applying a gel stain can help hide it more effectively than a traditional wood stain.

Gel stain has more body than regular liquid stain, so it doesn’t seep into the filler as much. Keep in mind that you may need to apply two or more coats to get the desired level of color and minimize the appearance of the filler.

Check out this blog post about how to repair (and stain) chipped veneer furniture using gel stain.

Check out this farmhouse cabinet makeover post, where we also used gel stain on the outside of this cabinet. But this method isn’t as easy for small touchups and works best when you are refinishing all of the wood.

Mix Stain Into the Wood Filler

Another effective way is to mix the stain into the filler itself. For this technique, mix a small amount of stain into Bondo Wood Filler or KwikWood as you’re mixing the hardener and filler together. Check out more best wood fillers for furniture here to know which one is right for your project.

This helps to change the color of the filler to match the color that you plan to stain the wood.

Learn how to use Bondo in this post on repairing veneer with wood filler and my Bondo wood filler review. For Kwikwood, learn how to use KwikWood here.

It’s important to test the coloring a few times before finally applying it to your project. Be mindful to use a small amount of the stain to avoid making the filler too dark, though be aware that it will also dry to a slightly different color.

Also, you can mix a waterbased wood filler and a waterbased stain.

This mixing method works best when you are going to stain both the filler and the surrounding wood.

Use a Stain Repair Kit

A stain repair kit provides the best solution for restoring your piece. This specific repair kit comes with 20 different shades of resin repair compounds, so you can easily cover surface scratches and stains on any wood surface. This kit is suitable for both DIY enthusiasts and professional woodworkers.

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The compounds can be EASILY mixed, layered, and blended to create a custom color that matches the surrounding stained wood for a seamless repair that is almost invisible.

Unlike other techniques, this repair kit doesn’t require staining the entire surface, so you can focus only on the repaired area. Check out our wood stain repair blog post for more information on how this technique works! And this major patio table makeover, where we used this kit.

Learn more about the other methods of wood surface repair and how to properly take care of your furniture to avoid scratches and blemishes on your furniture’s surface.

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DIY Wood Filler with Sawdust

If you’re looking for a low cost way to tackle the small gaps or cracks in your project, try mixing sawdust and wood glue to create your own filler that matches your wood.

mixing sawdust from furniture and wood glue

The process is simple. Sand your wood, then collect the sawdust from your sander’s dust collection bag, and mix it with a small amount of wood glue until it forms a thick paste. The amount of glue you use depends on how much sawdust you have. Make sure that the sawdust and glue are mixed thoroughly to create a smooth paste that is easy to apply.

Apply the paste, let it dry, and sand it smooth, just like with the other methods. This is much harder to sand than the other fillers, though. I think the glue makes it stick super well, making it hard to sand.

Then you can stain it. It will still slightly differ from the stained surface, and the type of glue you mix in will be what changes the color of the wood filler the most.

photo showing result of sawdust and glue wood filler and with water-based stain

Check out these YouTube videos on homemade wood filler with sawdust and wood filler – buy it or make it? to see this DIY filler in action.

This technique works best when you are planning to stain all of the wood (because you have to sand it first!) or leave it in its natural color. This method is cost effective and can save you time and money on your project.

Can You Stain Wood Filler?

Yes, you can. It’s important to choose the right stain that matches the surrounding color, and some techniques work better than others. Learn more about the best wood stains for refinishing furniture here to get the best results for your project.

What’s the best way to stain wood filler?

The best way depends on the size of the repair and the surrounding wood’s type and color. Here are the results from a comparison test that we did.

Each section had a drilled hole, a deep gouge, and a light scratch. The waterbased wood fillers were mixed with waterbased stain, and the others were mixed with oil based stain.

Which combination do you think hid the damage the best??

photo showing different types of wood fillers with wood stains

I think the Elmer’s wood filler mixed with waterbased wood stain blended in the best on this test.

Will wood filler soak up the stain like the wood surrounding it?

No, it doesn’t soak up stain like wood. It can result in a slightly different color than the surrounding surface, so it’s important to test your chosen technique on a small area before applying it to the whole project.

How do I choose the right stain for my wood filler?

Choosing the right one involves matching it with the type and color of the surrounding wood. Samples and swatches can help you identify the best match. It’s important to have patience throughout the process and experiment until you find the perfect color match.

Overall, staining wood filler can be a challenging task, especially if you’re looking for it to blend perfectly with the rest of the piece. However, choosing the proper technique and following the instructions for each method can help you create an almost invisible repair.

Bondo Wood Filler

Hot Glue Gun

220 Grit Sandaper

Whether it’s using a wood stain marker, applying a gel stain over the dry filler, mixing stain with your wood filler, or using a stain repair kit, selecting the right approach for your project can make all the difference.

By experimenting and having patience, you can restore and repair your wood furniture and have it looking as if it were brand new.