How Long Does Filler Take To Dry?
So you’ve just done some filling and now you’re wondering how long you will need to wait until you can either sand or paint it, or maybe a little bit of both. Well worry not, we have the ultimate guide to how long fillers take to dry, including tons of different filler types.
How long does Polyfilla take to dry?
Polyfilla can take as little as 60 minutes to be dry. I recommend leaving it longer though if you plan to paint. Lots of different factors can affect how quickly the Polyfilla dries, one major factor to consider is how deep you go with the filler. The deeper the hole you filled the longer it will take to dry.
The humidity of the room and also the temperature of the room can affect how long it takes to fully harden.
I recommend waiting at least 3 hours before painting over Polyfilla.
Two-Part Wood Fillers
With these wood fillers, you mix the hardener into the filler yourself. This then starts the chemical reaction which leads to the filler drying. So as soon as you mix the filler in the drying process starts.
I have used the Ronseal two-part wood filler a lot myself and really like it.
This filler will dry faster or slower depending on the amount of hardener you mix in. If you mix in the amount the manufacturer recommends then it will dry in around 30 minutes.
If you mix in more hardener then you can bring this time down.
Regular Wood Fillers
This kind of wood filler is ready to go straight out of the tub and does not require any hardener to be mixed in.
These kinds of fillers take around 2 hours to go off.
Linseed Oil Putty
This putty is used in glazing and is essentially just a mix of filler and linseed oil, it is well known for taking a long long time to fully go off.
The drying time is around 7 to 21 days depending on ambient conditions. Drying times will extend in cold or damp conditions
Flexible Fillers
These kinds of fillers are designed for use in areas that will see movement. The filler should go with the movement and therefore not crack.
There are a few different kinds of flexible fillers but most recommend waiting 48 hours for the filler to fully dry before painting over.
Epoxy Filler
This is a two-part filler often used on boats. Ideal for filling and fairing below the waterline, or anywhere where a combination of filling and sealing is desired.
A lot of epoxy fillers are quick-drying and can be sanded and painted after four to five hours.