3M Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler (5-(Pack))

This product works the same as the Bondo plastic flller I used as a teen to make repairs to autobody, and uses the same cream hardener, but the color is beige/tan to resemble wood. As other reviewers commented, expect some settling to occur in the can. My can of Bondo Wood Filler included a tube of red hardener, which when mixed with the beige/tan Bondo, turned a salmon color. Since I intended to prime and paint the repaired area, the color of the hardener wasn't an issue, but you need to use the white hardener if you don't want to change the color of the Bondo. The product cures quickly, depending on the amount of hardener used, and sands easily. I tend to use less hardener to allow more time to mix and apply the product. I was facing a $1,600 expense to replace a 4-casement baedroom window. By using Bondo Wood Filler, I was able to repair the rotted wood and defer having to replace the window. hopefully for a few more years. I attached photos of the window before and after.

I have used this product on a number of projects, and have found it to be a great tool in the arsenal. It is only for paint grade work, and has a few characteristics that you must be aware of before you use it.=== The Good Stuff ===* The product is great for larger repairs I use it to hide countersunk lag bolts, or to repair gouges or knot-holes in wood where a smooth appearance is desired.* The product sets up pretty quick, and depending on the thickness of the repair, can be sanded and painted fairly quickly. A quarter inch thickness will dry in less than an hour, and can be sanded and painted immediately. It sets and dries quicker than the one-part bondo filler available in tubes.* The product will shrink a bit, so really deep repairs may require multiple applications. I never saw the product crack, and once you have a smooth surface, it seems to hold up both indoors and outdoors. I always paint and prime as soon as possible, so no idea how well it will hold up unpainted.=== The Not-So-Good Stuff ===* The downside of the quick drying times is that you only have a couple minutes (maybe 2-3) to use up the product once it is mixed.* The instructions are fairly specific about how to mix the product. To be honest, I cheat, and just mix the compound and hardener just enough to get a consistent color. That seems to give me an extra minute or two to work with. I seem to get away with it.* The filler comes in a large can-sort of like a quart paint can. Since the filler is a thick putty, it is a bit of a challenge to get the last 10% out of the can.* Consider using disposable plastic putty knives- it is a tough job to get the dried product off of metal tools.=== Summary ===This is a great product for hiding any number of sins and problems with paint-grade wood. It dries quickly and hard, is easy to sand and paint, and holds up well to use and weather. However using it is a bit of a challenge, and requires you to work fast.

Works, but so does automotive body putty which appears to be exactly the same except for the color. Get a gallon at auto store for the price of a quart.

It basically works, but it is a poor value for money.Pros:* it does the job* sets fairly quickly* strongCons:* although it may weigh the amount written on the can, the can is only about 1/3 full. That means you don't have a quart to work with but only 1/3 quart and will need multiple cans to do a large job.* I didn't realize how thin it was before setting, it is slightly more firm than greek yogurt, meaning that it drips a lot and the drips are hard to get up.* the smell is bad so requires a lot of airing out even after dry

I used this 3M Bondo Wood Filler to patch the destruction carpenter bees inflicted on our large, wood frame, outdoor swing. I'm very happy with the results.The people who complain about the Filler hardening too fast, used too much hardener for time they needed. The solution is simple, use less hardener, and you will have more time. The Wood Filler will still harden, but it will take a little more time.For those of you who have used automobile bondo, this Wood Filler is the same mixture.

Remove all loose rot and delicate wood structure. Then protect the remaining structure with a Wood Stabilizer, following its instructions. If the area that needs building up, is more than .5 inch thick vertically3M Bondo Home Solutions Wood Filler, you will need to apply the product in stages to prevent the filler from sagging, while its setting up. Build up the patch overall to be slightly higher than you want for the finish level. This product is an easy one to sand down to desired finish level. You should have a face mask to keep from breathing the dust. This is the same basic product used by Vehicle Body Repair Shops.

I just repaired 2 rotten window frames with this stuff. Figured it was worth the try as opposed to buying new wood windows. It dries fast so work with small amounts. Apply, dry, sand, apply, dry, sand, apply, dry, sand...that's the process. Once it dries it seems bulletproof. Sands well and paints well too. Time will tell if it holds up but it's been about a month now and still looks as good as when I finished it. I highly recommend using wood hardener before applying this stuff. Minwax sells some for about $10 that works great.Update-15 months have passed and my windows still look great. No evidence of the previous wood rot. I have one more window I’ll be working on this summer. BTW, I prefer doing this in the heat of summer so I can put the wood out in sunlight to ensure it’s dry. Also helps speed up the painting process.

I used this plus the wood stabilizer to completely rework a rotted section of a window frame. Incredible results, and 2 years later, stronger than the original wood.