How to Fill Up Holes in Wooden Furniture

When you're fixing up antique or vintage wooden furniture, you may need to repair minor holes in the wood -- these can be left behind by staples, screws, nails or simple wear and tear. The type of filler you use to repair a hole depends on the size of the hole. After you fill the hole, you will still be able to see where the hole once was, so you must then paint or stain the wood. After you do, you won't be able to tell there was ever a hole.

Ruler
Wood putty
Wood filler (paintable)
Fine-grit sandpaper
Paint or wood stain
Brush
Putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the size of your hole. If it is less than 1/8 inch in diameter, simply pack it with a bit of nonhardening wood putty. This putty makes small holes less conspicuous, and since the hole is already so small, you do not need to take any additional steps. If it is larger, though, you need to use wood filler.
- 2
  Pack wood filler into the hole, overlapping with the smooth wood surface as little as possible. Smooth the filler with the edge of a putty knife to ensure that the filler isn't lumpy and there are no visible seams between the filler and the surface of the wood .
- 3
  Allow the filler to dry according to manufacturer instructions. When it is dry, sand it gently with sandpaper until it is perfectly flush and smooth with the surface of the wood. Paint or stain your furniture so that the filler is not visible.

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