HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler Review

If you’re a regular reader of my reviews, you’ll already know I’m a professional decorator, a product geek, and I only really write about the products I think are worth talking about. This time, I thought I’d touch on the HB42 Ultimate wood filler, which I have used regularly for some time now.

This is a resin-based wood filler. You take the required amount from the tin, add the hardener, then apply it to any imperfection in timber. Once dry, simply sand it smooth and paint over – simple.

You can buy HB42 Ultimate wood filler from various stockists. I tend to buy mine online by clicking here, but there are plenty of trade counters that stock it. You can also buy it in different sizes and colours. The beauty of using a resin-based filler, is it will expand and contract with the timber. It is waterproof in 30 minutes, and you can even screw holes into it!! In other words, it behaves just like the timber around it.

Are All Resin Based Fillers the Same?

Right, let’s get onto why I thought it was worth putting pen to paper about the HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler, and not one of the other options. I have used loads of different resin-based fillers in the past. Some of you may think they’re all the same, but if you’ve tried a few, you’ll know they’re not! The gulf in quality is down to the amount of filler in the product, compared to resin and other components. As a rule, the more fillers that are used, the lower the quality of the overall product.

I’ll go a step further and say it’s easy for a manufacturer to produce a great product that costs a lot of money (Oxera products being a prime example). It is also easy for a manufacturer to produce a cheap, low-quality product. The real challenge is to produce a low-cost option that will also perform well in the real world. That is where HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler comes in.

HB42 Wood Filler is one of the only products of its kind to be manufactured without a chemical called styrene. Styrene is quite a nasty substance which can cause health problems. It will likely be regulated in the coming years.

Instead, HB42 uses a co-polymer which is structurally related to ABS plastic. The upshot of this, other than avoiding a nasty substance, is the filler is much tougher when set.

My HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler Review

OK, I’m finally going to talk about this filler and explain why I like it so much. HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler is very smooth to use and doesn’t sag at all, which is unlike any other standard resin-based filler I’ve used to date. This makes it easy to use and shape, and you can cover quite large repairs without issue.

It isn’t grainy either, which again, is unlike most other resin-based wood fillers. This means you can use HB42 to surface fill minor imperfections. It sands down smooth and even the powder from your sanding is very fine. You can tell this is different to anything else on the market. It has a totally different feel to it.

The flexibility is also great!! I have used this filler externally on multiple occasions and it just doesn’t fail over time. A lot of decorators use car body filler, which just doesn’t last.

And finally, the price!! You can spend big money on Oxera products, then invest in specialist tools and go for extra training, but for most instances, this just isn’t necessary. If you want a standard resin-based filler which is dependable and easy to use, go for HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler. It is the best product of its type on the market!

Review Summary

FAQs

Does wood filler get hard like wood?

Two-pack wood fillers like HB42 Ultimate go very hard, although they still have a certain amount of flexibility, so they can expand and contract with the timber.

What is the best wood filler brand?

It depends on the repair. Toupret Wood Filler is probably the best water-based filler for pinholes and small repairs. HB42 Ultimate Wood Filler is better for larger repairs and screw holes. Epoxy fillers like Oxera Rebuild are best for large repairs in rotted wood.

Can you use too much wood filler?

Some wood fillers are difficult to sand, so if you apply too much, it can be difficult to get the surface flat again. Plus, most fillers have a depth limit. If you fill too large a hole, then the filler will crack.

What does wood filler not stick to?

Wood filler doesn’t stick to wet or rotted wood without stabilising it first. It won’t stick to loose, chalky surfaces like stone.

What is the problem with wood filler?

Some wood fillers contain styrene, which can be very harmful. Ronseal is one of these products. Also, cheap wood fillers can crack over time. That’s why you should stick with good-quality products like HB42.

Is it OK to add water to wood filler?

You can add water to water-based wood fillers, regardless of whether they’re ready mixed, or you mix them yourself. You can’t add water to two-part wood fillers like HB42.