Introduction
Minwax wood filler is a popular wood filler product used to fill holes, cracks and imperfections in wood. It comes in a neutral wood-colored tone that blends into natural wood. Some woodworkers wonder if Minwax wood filler can be tinted to match specific wood species or stain colors. The short answer is yes, Minwax wood filler can be tinted using universal colorants or artist’s oil paints. However, there are some important factors to consider when tinting Minwax wood filler.
What is Minwax Wood Filler?
Minwax wood filler is a solvent-based wood filler made by Minwax. It is designed to fill cracks, nail holes, gouges, joints and imperfections in finished and unfinished wood. Minwax wood filler comes as a lightweight paste in a neutral wood tone color. It dries fast, usually within 30 minutes, and can be stained, painted, drilled, sanded and finished. Once fully cured, Minwax wood filler blends in invisibly with the natural wood grain.
Some key facts about Minwax wood filler:
- Made from real wood fibers, resins and mineral fillers
- Dries fast in about 30 minutes
- Comes in 6 oz. and 12 oz. plastic tubs
- Neutral wood tone color
- Can be stained, painted or clear finished
- Stainable, paintable and sandable when cured
- Made in the USA
Minwax wood filler works well to conceal imperfections in wood surfaces like floors, furniture, cabinets, woodwork, crafts and other projects. It saves time and money compared to replacing wood boards or using wood putty. The neutral color avoids blotchiness when staining.
Can You Tint Minwax Wood Filler?
Yes, Minwax wood filler can be tinted to match specific wood species and stain colors. There are a couple recommended ways to tint Minwax wood filler:
Method 1: Universal Colorant
Universal colorant is a heavily pigmented liquid dye designed to tint paints, epoxies, varnishes, waxes and other clear finishes. A few drops of universal colorant stirred into Minwax wood filler will tint it to match any custom color. Art stores sell universal colorants in sets of standard colors. Or you can blend custom colors by mixing colorants.
Follow these steps to tint Minwax wood filler with universal colorant:
- Select the right color universal colorant for your project wood species and stain.
- Add just 2-3 drops of colorant per ounce of wood filler.
- Thoroughly mix the colorant into the filler to evenly distribute the tint.
- Test the tinted filler color on a wood scrap before applying it.
- Adjust the filler color if needed by adding more drops of colorant.
The main advantage of using universal colorant is you can tint the wood filler to precisely match your desired wood tone and color. Just add colorant drops until you achieve the perfect match.
Method 2: Oil Paint
Artist’s oil paints provide another option for tinting Minwax wood filler. Oil paints are highly pigmented and mix well with oil-based wood filler. For best results, use an oil paint in a color that matches your wood type.
Here is how to tint wood filler with oil paint:
- Choose an oil paint close to your wood color and stain.
- Use a craft stick to scoop out a small amount of oil paint.
- Mix the oil paint into the Minwax filler thoroughly.
- Test the tinted filler on scrap wood to confirm the color.
- Adjust the filler color by adding more oil paint if needed.
Oil paints typically produce subtle, translucent tints in the wood filler. You may need to do some trial and error testing to find the right oil paint color and amount. But oil paint offers an easy tinting option using affordable craft paints.
Tinting Tips
Here are some helpful tips when tinting Minwax wood filler:
- Always test the tinted filler color on scrap wood before using it.
- Add tinting drops and mixes incrementally until the right color is achieved.
- Use a plastic or glass container when mixing tinted filler to prevent dye staining.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when tinting solvent-based Minwax filler.
- Mix the tint thoroughly to evenly disperse the color pigments.
- Tint small batches of filler at a time to keep the rest fresh.
- Store tinted filler in a sealed container if not using right away.
Proper tinting takes a little trial and error. But the right filler color prevents a blotchy repair. Test on scraps first and add tint gradually until the filler color matches the surrounding wood.
Applying Tinted Wood Filler
Tinted Minwax wood filler can be applied using the same techniques as regular untinted filler. Here are some application tips:
- Make sure the wood surface is clean and dry before applying filler.
- Force the filler firmly into holes, cracks and defects to fill completely.
- Overfill slightly since the filler will shrink as it dries.
- Remove excess filler with a putty knife once partially cured.
- Allow a full 30 minutes for tinted filler to fully harden.
- Sand flush with wood using 120-150 grit sandpaper.
- Wipe away sanding dust and test the color match.
- Finish over the filler using desired stain, paint or clear finish.
The right application helps the tinted filler blend into the repaired wood area. Let the filler cure fully before sanding smooth and applying final finishes.
Conclusion
Tinting Minwax wood filler allows it to blend invisibly into repaired wood surfaces. Use a few drops of universal colorant or oil paint to tint the filler to match your wood species and stain color. Test the tinted filler on scrap first to dial in the perfect color match. With proper tinting and application techniques, you can achieve flawless wood repairs using Minwax filler.
| Universal Colorant Method | Oil Paint Method |
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FAQs About Tinting Wood Filler
Does Minwax sell tinted wood filler?
No, Minwax does not currently sell pre-tinted wood filler. They only offer their wood filler in a neutral wood tone color. But you can easily tint it yourself using methods like universal colorant or oil paint.
What is the best way to tint wood filler?
Universal colorant is the best way to tint wood filler for precise color matching. Just mix 2-3 drops per ounce into Minwax filler. Oil paint also works well for close color approximation. Test tinted filler on scraps until you get the desired wood tone.
Can you use stain to tint wood filler?
It’s not recommended to use stain to tint filler. The particles in wood stains can clog up Minwax wood filler. Universal liquid dyes or oil paints mix much better. Stain the project after filling for best results.
How do you tint Minwax High Performance Wood Filler?
Minwax High Performance Filler is a water-based version. Use water-soluble aniline dyes instead of oil-based tints. Or thin down oil paint with water and mix into the filler. Test on scrap wood to confirm the color.
Should wood filler match the stain color?
It’s best if the wood filler matches the surrounding wood color before staining. This prevents blotchy spots from filler that absorbs more or less stain. Tinting it first provides even stain absorption.
Conclusion
Tinting Minwax wood filler allows flawless repairs that become nearly invisible after staining and finishing. While Minwax doesn’t sell colored filler, you can easily mix in dyes or paint for a perfect color match. Just remember to test the tinted filler on wood scraps first. With the right tinting techniques, you can achieve professional quality results using Minwax wood filler for all your home woodworking projects.
