Wood epoxy for lasting bonds
If you’re a woodworker, you’ll love how epoxy resin for wood can solve some of your trickiest problems. From filling gaps or dents to bonding like iron, wood epoxy is your answer. Read on to find out how.
The basics on two-part epoxy glue for wood
Epoxy is a super strong adhesive that consists of resin and a hardener. Once mixed, the epoxy will set within a certain time to form an extremely hard material. Wood epoxy has many benefits for the woodworker - it bonds extremely well to wood, is waterproof and also acts as a sealant. It can fill large gaps and holes, and once fully cured, can be sanded or drilled. Most epoxies are also paintable, for an invisible repair.
How to use woodworking epoxy
Wood epoxy can fill deep dents, gaps and holes and bonds to damaged and imperfect wood, making it the ideal material to repair rotted wood. Whether it’s a windowsill or exterior trim, column or furniture, simply remove the rotted or damaged wood, fill with epoxy, and sand it smooth once fully set.
If an entire piece of trim is rotted or the damage is extensive, it’s best to replace the wood. However, even wood in fairly poor condition can be repaired with wood epoxy. Follow these steps:
- First, find the cause of the rot and alleviate it. In most cases, moisture is the key factor in a piece of wood deteriorating. You must remove the moisture to ensure a lasting repair.
- Remove the soft rotted wood with a chisel, screwdriver, knife, or similar tool. Keep working back until you hit solid wood. Remove all dust and debris before proceeding.
- Mix the two-part epoxy glue for wood (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) on a scrap piece of cardboard or plastic.
- Press the epoxy into the void where the rotted wood has been removed. The epoxy will have a putty-like feel and should be easy to work with. Press it into the area firmly to ensure a secure bond. If the area being repaired is very large or deep, you might want to use a scrap piece of wood to take up some space. Make sure to embed the scrap below the surface of the wood epoxy.
- Shape the epoxy glue for wood as closely as possible to the original shape (add a bit more for sanding it smooth later) and allow it to fully cure.
- Once completely cured, sand the wood epoxy to shape. You might want to start with a metal file and then finish with sandpaper.
- Paint the repair to match the surrounding area.
Helpful tip: when mixing the two-part epoxy glue, be sure not to switch or mix up the lids or caps. Even the residue of hardener on the lid can cause the resin to cure in the bottle!
The best epoxy for woodworking
There’s a great range of wood epoxies to choose from to suit any project’s needs, whether it’s indoor, outdoor or paintable. Here are a few of our favourites.
Loctite Instant Mix Epoxy 5 Minute produces a rigid, high-strength bond to wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and many other materials. It comes in a convenient dual syringe for the perfect mix every time. It starts to set in just five minutes and can be tinted with earth pigments, sand, or cement to match the surrounding material. Once cured, it can be sanded and drilled.
If you prefer a gel epoxy product, try Loctite Epoxy Gel. This formulation has many of the same characteristics as the five-minute epoxy, but it’s thicker and won’t drip or run. This makes it perfect for vertical surfaces or when you need to work overhead. It also comes in a dual syringe and begins to set in six minutes.