How To Fill Screw Holes In MDF: 3 Steps To Follow

In simple words, MDF is a custom-made and unique version of wood. People use this in replacement of natural wood. As a DIY person, you might want to know how to fill screw holes in MDF? Well, it needs the necessary fasteners and tools to do so.

Inserting screw-making screw holes is mandatory in MDF. This hole needs many processes, products, and tools to make it eligible. So choosing the best filler, processing steps, and applying tips and tricks should be learned before working. It is important to know first to avoid any mistake that causes issues later. 

More Intro On MDF

The full meaning of MDF is a medium-density Flipboard. MDF is a wood product that breaks down hardwood and softwood into wood fiber. These are combined with resin and wax. The mixture forms into a panel by applying high temperature and pressure. Raw materials depend on the variety. Other woods, waste papers, and fibers are also used depending on the variety. 

MDF is a unique but most popular and well-known timber product. Its usage is as easy as real wood. But this is stronger than natural wood. It has less expansion and contraction than any ordinary wood. MDF is suitable to be painted over. But it is denser than plywood. Low-quality MDF will smell and break when it gets water. It is also dangerous to health, like allergies and eye and lung irritation while sanding.    

Things to Fill Screw Holes in MDF

The work of MDF is the same as natural wood. It can be used in many types of furniture like chairs, tables, decks, and many more. Just different in materials. While working with MDF, it also needs fasteners, glue putty, etc.  

Wood Glue(Best Choice)

Wood glue is a water-based formula made for wood manufacturing. It is a mixture of resin and hardener. Wood glue is flexible and water-resistant. So it can be used in any type of wood. There are various types of wood glue for various types of work. These varieties are available in any market or eCommerce shop.

 For many reasons, it is used for attaching wood parts, filling stripped screw holes, and repairing cracking areas. It is too easy to apply and gives 30 minutes longer working time. It is strong enough to join and hold wood boards. Also, it can cure damages and hold screws. So it is suitable to fill MDF holes. 

Tips: How To Remove Dried Glue From Wood: Super Easy Tricks

Wood Filler

Wood filler is a cream-based formula made for various types of woodwork. It works similarly to wood glue. But it has different features than glue. People use wood filler to join woods, repair, and support screws, and for many reasons.

Wood filler is mainly created to smooth surfaces and repair holes in wood. It also works best to fill holes after they are nailed. Fillers can also hide screw heads because, most of the time, screw heads cause unfinished looks. Wood filler has a water-resistant formula. That’s why it is suitable to be painted over. 

Wood Putty

Wood putty is a plastic-based and oil-based product. It consists of linseed oil, calcium carbonate, and universal colorants. It is used for covering nail holes, repairing holes, and gauges on unfinished surfaces. But due to chemicals in the putty, it isn’t recommended to use it on raw wood. But it is suitable for MDF.

Wood putty works best for minor repairs and minor imperfections. It is used with a putty knife. Putty shrinks or cracks. That is why it is suitable to use on screw holes. But wood putty is not as strong as wood filler or glue. This is why it is not recommended for high loads, heavy work, or big damages.      

Spackle

Spackle is a mixture of gypsum powder and binder. It is used to patch small holes, cracks, and other imperfections. It comes on the market in two forms: powder and pastes. The powder form is mixed with water before applying. But the paste form is mostly used and known.   

Sparkles are good for screw holes. It won’t shrink for a long time. It is not that strong to cure big problems. But it works best in small crack areas. Sparkles cure too fastly. Also, it gives you a smooth surface.  

Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is also called polyepoxides. It contains polymer and pre-polymers. It offers resistance to chemical and heat applications. It is known for its strong adhesive qualities. It is a versatile and durable product. It means you can use it in any kind of wood or material. But it is not water-resistant.

Epoxy resin is mostly used for adhesive purposes. It is coated with wood as a protective layer.

It has high material properties to repair. It allows easy processing. Also, resin doesn’t shrink, while sure. So it is perfect for filling the hole on MFD. 

Read: How To Attach A Tabletop Without Screws: Alternative Ways

3 Steps on How To Fill Screw Holes In MDF

We all know that MDF is a wood replacement. So, making furniture in MDF requires fasteners and some side products. It is important to take every step with correction. Filling screw holes in MDF is a natural process in furniture making. So every step should be perfect. 

Step 1: Clean And Sand Out The Hole

The first step is cleaning and sanding out. It is important to clean the area around the hole. Without cleaning, the filling will not be set properly. Also, it will cause bad looks and an unfinished vibe. You can use a brush to remove excess particles. The sanding paper would also be a great tool to give a smooth surface.

First, insert a screw into the hole. After inserting, there will be some extra parts of the wood. Take some sandpaper. Then sand down the screw holes. Sand it until it is completely cleaned. Then use a brush to remove unwanted parts. 

Step 2: Apply Your Desired Filling Material

After cleaning and sanding out the hole, apply your desired filling materials. There are lots of filling products available in the market. You can use wood filler, wood glue, putty, epoxy resin, etc. but wood filler is the best option for filling holes.

After choosing filler:

  1. Fill the screw hole. You can fill it with using putty or other tools.
  2. Fill the hole with an excess amount of filler because filler can sometimes shrink while drying.
  3. After filling, let it dry for at least one day. The drying time will depend on the type of filling. 

Step 3: Sand Out The Outer Layer

After drying totally, this is time to sand it again. Sanding is a must in every furniture-making process. Ending helps you remove extra products on the wood. It also helps you to get a smooth finishing touch. Finally, it will give the furniture a professional look. 

Now sand the extra fillers from the wood. You have good sandpaper to make the sanding process easier. After sanding, use any vacuum machine to blow away all the sand. Now your filling process is complete. You can use an extra polisher to polish the other side. But this is not necessary.      

Things to Consider When Filling Screw Holes in MDF

You need to remember some tips and tricks while filling screw holes in MDF.

  • The first thing is to choose the best filler. There are lots of types of filler available in the market. Every filler works differently in different works. Use filler according to your purpose.
  • Pay extra attention while applying a double coat or layers. Make sure to dry the first layer completely. Then apply a second layer.  
  • Keep the screw hole area neat and clean. Dirty areas can cause issues with fillers.
  •  Ensure the working area has good validation as it helps the filler or putty dry faster

FAQs

These are the questions that you should be familiar with.

Which material is best to fill in the MDF screw hole?

Wood glue is best to fill MDF screw holes. Wood glue is the strongest filler among all the ordinary fillers. It is strong enough to attach wood boards like fasteners. It gives a hard surface inside the crack or stripped area. It won’t shrink, so it is also suitable to hold screws. 

How Much Can It Take To Repair A MDF Screw Hole?

MDF screw holes need 30 minutes to repair at max. But it will depend on the type of fillers also. Every filler is different in features. So each filler has a different cure time. But MDF is better than real wood. That is why it takes less time to fix the problem.

How To Avoid Unnecessary Screw Holes In MDF?

The main solution to avoid unnecessary screw holes is to learn before creating. Making screw holes is compulsory. So it needs to be calculated. There are some methods to use fewer screws while furniture making. First, learn the methods and then create holes. 

  Relevant: How Long Does Wood Filler Take To Dry Before Painting? 9 Steps

Conclusion

Thanks for visiting our website to solve your problem. We have tried to give you the right information about MDF and related things. Perhaps, you got to know how to fill screw holes in MDF. Nonetheless, all the information is collected from authentic sources.  

We have given you the definition of MDF. Remember, MDF is a custom-made and unique version of wood.

There is information about several filler, putty, and glue types to fill MDF. It will help you to choose the right filler. You can also learn about the filling process. Just keep in mind the tips and tricks while filling in to avoid any issues. 

Hey, I'm George Fanton. I've over nine years of experience in the woodworking industry. I've cultivated a deep interest in practical wood and tasks. I enjoy sharing new information on woodworking technology to maintain my expertise in the current woodworking industries.

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