FixWood Wood Putty: Marine-Grade Epoxy Repair, Now Easier Than Ever

Rotted windowsills. Chewed-up door frames. Gouged deck boards. Wood damage has a way of showing up in the spots you notice every single day, and replacing that section outright isn't always practical, especially when it's a built-in piece, a historic detail, or a shape you can't just buy off the shelf. That's where FixWood wood putty comes in. This two-part epoxy putty rebuilds damaged or missing wood right where it sits, then cures into a permanent, waterproof repair that you can shape, sand, and finish to match the wood around it.

TotalBoat is all about continuous improvement, and we've recently reformulated FixWood to make it even easier to use. The core strength and waterproof performance you count on haven't changed, but the way the putty handles, colors, and blends into a project has gotten a real upgrade. Here's what makes FixWood work, how it stacks up against a standard wood filler, and how to use it for a repair that holds up for years.

What Is FixWood Wood Putty?

FixWood is a two-part, marine-grade epoxy putty formulated to repair rotted, cracked, or missing wood on non-structural elements like door frames, windowsills, deck boards, and trim. You mix equal parts resin and hardener by volume, then knead the putty by hand until it reaches a smooth, even color with no streaks.

Once mixed, FixWood behaves a lot like modeling clay for about 30 to 35 minutes at room temperature, which is plenty of time to press it into a cavity, sculpt a missing corner back into shape, or build up a section of wood that has crumbled away. It won't sag on vertical surfaces, so it stays exactly where you put it while it cures. Once fully cured, the repair is sandable, machinable, and strong enough to hold screws, nails, and other fasteners without splitting.

Wood Putty vs. Wood Filler: What's the Difference?

It's a common question, and the two products actually solve different problems. Wood filler is a single-component product, often water- or solvent-based, designed to fill small cosmetic imperfections like nail holes, minor scratches, or seams before finishing. It dries by evaporation, shrinks somewhat as it does, and generally isn't meant to replace missing wood or stand up to consistent moisture exposure.

Wood putty, and epoxy putty specifically, is a different category of repair altogether. It cures through a chemical reaction rather than evaporation, so it doesn't shrink and it doesn't rely on the surrounding wood to hold it in place. Because it cures into a hard, waterproof solid, an epoxy putty like FixWood can rebuild an entire missing corner of a windowsill, fill a deep gouge, or repair rotted deck boards, then hold fasteners just like solid wood would. If you're patching a small nail hole before painting, a standard wood filler will do the job fine. If you're dealing with actual wood loss, especially anywhere exposed to weather or moisture, an epoxy wood putty is the better tool for the job.

What's New in the Reformulated FixWood

We rebuilt the FixWood formula around the feedback we hear most from customers: it should be easier to handle, easier to blend in, and more flexible for creative use. Here's what changed:

A More Natural Color
That's Easier to Match FixWood now cures to a lighter, more natural wood tone similar to light maple. That matters for two reasons. First, on repairs you're not planning to finish, the color already blends in better with lighter woods once applied. Second, that lighter starting point makes it noticeably easier to stain or paint the cured putty to match darker woods and finishes.

Better Handling and Adhesion
This reformulated putty is more malleable and workable by hand, and it adheres to wood surfaces noticeably better. That means less fighting the material and more control over the final shape, whether you're filling a screw hole or sculpting a replacement piece by hand.

Tint with Pigment Dispersions FixWood's lighter base color also makes it a better canvas for dye. You can mix in pigment dispersions to color the cured putty for creative projects, decorative inlays, or a closer color match to unusual wood tones. This makes Fixwood a great solution for custom woodwork or restoration project where you’re looking to match a specific color.

Hess Woodwork used pigment dispersions with Fixwood to create a colorful custom bench.

How to Use Wood Putty: Applying FixWood Step by Step

FixWood is easy to apply, but a few steps make the difference between a good repair and a great one.

1. Prep the Surface

Start with wood that's clean, dry, and free of grease or oil. Sand the repair area with 60-120 grit sandpaper and remove all sanding dust. If the wood is soft or punky from rot, treat it first with penetrating epoxy sealer to consolidate the fibers, then apply FixWood while the sealer is still tacky.

2. Mix Equal Parts

Combine Part A (resin) and Part B (hardener) in a 1A:1B ratio by volume. Knead the two together by hand until you get a consistent, streak-free color. Only mix as much as you can use in about 20 minutes, since the clock starts as soon as the two parts combine.

3. Press, Shape, and Overfill

Work the mixed putty firmly into the damaged area to push out any trapped air, then overfill the cavity slightly. That extra material gives you room to sand the surface flush once it's cured. For missing sections of wood, sculpt the putty by hand or with tools to rebuild the shape you need. It holds its form without sagging, even on vertical or overhead surfaces.

4. Let It Cure

FixWood is tack-free in about 2 hours and ready to sand in less than 6 hours at 72°F. Cooler temperatures slow that timeline down, and warmer conditions speed it up. For the strongest bond and full hardness, let the repair cure fully before fastening it or putting it under load.

5. Sand, Shape, and Finish

Once cured, FixWood sands, carves, and machines easily. Shape it flush with the surrounding wood, then finish it to match, or leave it as is if the natural color already blends in well enough on its own.

How Long Does It Take Wood Putty to Dry?

At 72°F, FixWood is tack-free within about 2 hours and sandable in under 6 hours, fast enough to move a project forward the same day. For full-strength cure, meaning maximum hardness and strength, plan on 5-7 days at that same temperature. You can typically stain, paint, or fasten the repair well before that full cure window closes, but for repairs that will see heavy use or load-bearing fasteners, giving it the full cure time is worth the wait.

Temperature has the biggest effect on cure speed. Working in a warmer shop or on a hot summer day will shorten both the working time and the cure time, while cooler conditions stretch it out. Keep application temperatures between 50°F and 100°F for the best results.

Can You Stain Wood Putty?

Yes. FixWood is designed to be stained or painted once it's fully cured, and the new lighter, more natural color makes that finishing step easier than before. Because the cured putty starts closer to the color of real wood, both oil-based stains and 1- or 2-part polyurethane paints or varnishes go on more predictably, with less risk of the repair standing out once it's finished.

For the best blend, sand the cured FixWood smooth and flush with the surrounding wood before applying stain or finish. If an exact color match matters, test your stain on a scrap of cured putty first, since epoxy putty can absorb stain a little differently than the wood around it.

Where to Use FixWood Wood Putty

FixWood is built for non-structural wood repairs, indoors and outdoors, wherever wood tends to take a beating: door frames and jambs, windowsills, deck boards, trim and molding, furniture, and other repairs where fasteners need to hold and the fix needs to survive weather or moisture. It's not designed for structural or load-bearing repairs, so stick to cosmetic and non-structural fixes where strength and waterproofing matter but the piece isn't holding up the house.

Whether you're bringing a rotted windowsill back to life, filling a screw hole that stripped out, or rebuilding a missing corner on a piece with some history to it, FixWood gives you a permanent, waterproof repair you can shape, sand, and finish until it disappears into the wood around it. Grab a kit, and if you have questions about your specific repair, give our tech support team a call at (888) 986-6623.