Preparing and painting timber

[Katie60]

Hi there. I have just bought an old villa (1925) and am doing the bay windows in the kitchen which I have decided to paint. Just would like to know, I have used putty in some areas but now have changed to wood filler. As i have noticed the putty has not settled into the cracks in the timber very well, can I go over it with wood filler or is this a no no. As the putty is white (obviously) if i use wood filler, will this conceal it.

Vey new at this, can you tell. A learning curve for me, i can tell you.

[durwood]

I presume the white wood filler you are using is the same material used to glaze windows. If it is its the wrong stuff to use. Its made to stay soft (linseed oil and whiting powder) and flexible and will take years to go hard.

If the cracks are splits which are fairly large the quickest easiest material to patch it up is plastic filler. You should be able to buy a builders version we have one here called "builders bog" most are used to repair rust and dints in cars. Mix it with its hardener and it dries in less than 10 minutes. sand it down and you can the prime and paint as you would for timber.

I hope the cracks are not affecting the actual strength of the window frames if they are you need to have a carpenter or yourself replace the timber.

[Katie60]

Sorry think i misled you. I originally used what is called "mirror finish" which is what you use to cover impections and than you gently sand over it. White in colour. I wanted to no if i can put Wood Filler over it, which i heard is much more effective and instead of being white and more obvious, you can get it in the colour to match your timber. Or does it make any difference if you are painting the area.

Thanks

[jimc]

Mirror finish spac filler is designed to go under a semi-high gloss painted surface and is a pain in the neck to sand as it dries hard.

Standard spac filler is for small/minor cracks in hard plaster...ie where a door handle has dented the plaster wall. This filler is fine for a stain-flat roller finish and WILL SHOW if used uner gloss paint.

If you need a flixible joint, then an acrylic flexible paintable filler is what you need. You use it when there are areas of movement in the wall/roof/windows. The problem is finishing them to a flat paintable finish that will not show once painted. The trick here is to spray it with a mixture of dishwashing detergent and water and use a flat sharp surface.

If all else fails....tell people all houses need character...mine has more than its fair share!