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How To Use Bondo To Repair Wood Rot: Easy Steps, Photos and Video

EASY STEPS & QUICK VIDEO guide for using Bondo to Repair Wood Rot. In just 1 day, this DIY saved our rotted wood shutters from the burn pile.

Using Bondo to Repair Wood Rot or Damaged Wood

Last year, I decided I couldn’t avoid fixing our exterior shutters any longer. The bottom of each shutter had taken on water somehow and was rotting.

I knew right away I’d be using Bondo to repair the wood rot on these shutters.

We had our house painted a few years ago, and the painters used it to repair some damage to the columns around our front porch. It held up well.

Image shows rotted wood on an exterior shutter for a post about how to use Bondo to repair wood rot.
Wood rot repair with Bondo putty works great on exterior shutters, doors, and window trim.

So, why not use it again? Plus, it dries so fast, it makes the repair work so much faster than normal wood filler.

Now, let’s get to the easy steps for how to use Bondo to repair wood rot!

Using Bondo On Wood Rot – Video

If any of the written steps are confusing, be sure to watch this video to see me actually mixing and using Bondo for wood rot repair on our exterior shutters.

How To Use Bondo Putty To Repair Wood Rot - Great Fix For Rotten Doors & Trim Outdoors!

How to Use Bondo On Wood Rot

Materials Needed

Quick Guide to Steps

  1. Clean away all soft wood rot or use wood hardener to harden the soft wood.
  2. Replace large sections of missing wood with new wood.
  3. Mix and apply Bondo All Purpose Putty.
  4. Sand smooth after it hardens.

Keep Reading for a detailed explanation for using Bondo on wood.

Image shows rotted wood on an exterior shutter for a post about how to use Bondo to repair wood rot.
Don’t forget to Save or Share these steps for wood rot repair with Bondo.

Step One – Remove Wood Rot Or Harden It

Start by cleaning and prepping the surface for Bondo. This can be done in basically 2 ways.

One is removing all the soft and rotten wood with chisels, utility knives, screwdrivers, or whatever you have on hand. That’s what I went with.

Using tools to remove soft and rotten sections of wood on our shutters. Next step, wood repairs with Bondo. #AbbottsAtHome #Bondo #DIYProjects
Grab some hand tools to remove the rotten wood. You’ll know what’s rotten because it will be easy to gouge it with a screwdriver.

Two is, removing just any mold, then hardening the rotten, soft wood with Bondo Wood Hardener, before applying the Bondo Putty.

I’d go with hardener on curvy or routed wood. It’s hard to recreate that detail with wood filler or putty.

Step Two – Add Wood Where Needed

You may want to replace large sections with wood, to create a good base and scaffold for the Bondo to stick too.

One of my shutters lost so much wood, that I replaced the bottom with new wood. Then filled in between the old and new with the Bondo.

This large section of wood rot will be repaired with new wood and Bondo. #AbbottsAtHome #Bondo #DIYProjects
This large section of wood rot will be repaired with new wood and Bondo.

Step Three – Mix & Apply Bondo

Once the surface is solid, hard and clean, you can apply the filler. Mix just the amount you can use in about 5 minutes. Follow the directions on the Bondo. You can see how I mix mine in the video above.

When using Bondo to repair wood rot, always wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. The fumes are quite strong and even flammable. Mix the Bondo, then apply it to the area.

Spread it around with the spreaders. Try to get it as smooth as possible and filled over the level you need it at. Be sure to wear a mask, while sanding!

The rotten wood on our exterior shutters has been removed. Now, I'm ready to apply the Bondo. #AbbottsAtHome #Bondo #DIYProjects
Once all of the rotten wood is removed, I can apply the Bondo to the empty areas.

Step Four – Sand And Repeat, If Necessary

Let harden for 30 minutes, then sand smooth with your sander. I used 80-grit to start, to make quick work of the sanding. Once, you’ve smoothed to the right level. You can decide if you need to add more Bondo.

I tend to just use normal wood filler on shallow dings and divets. Once, the wood is smoothed and sanded to a medium grit, it’s ready for a few good layers of exterior paint and primer.

Or, you can sand to a fine grit and stain or seal with an exterior-grade product.

Exterior shutters repaired with bondo and wood filler. Then sanded smooth. #AbbottsAtHome #HomeMaintenance #Repairs #DIYRepair
After using Bondo on wood rot, I used wood filler on small dings, then sanded it smooth. Next step, painting. A few layers of a good exterior paint should do the trick!

I do not recommend patching large areas that will be stained. It is very hard to match the filler to the wood and will likely look patched.

But, smaller areas are less obvious and may work fine. It’s easier to hide a large patch with paint.

And, be sure to use the Bondo wood filler, if you are hoping to stain the wood. The putty dries grey and doesn’t stain well.

I have to say, using Bondo to Repair Wood Rot saved our Exterior Shutters. Here are my easy to follow steps and a quick video of the repair work. This is an easy DIY, guys! #AbbottsAtHome #Bondo #WoodRepair #WoodRot #RottenWood
All finished and hung back up!

If you do need to stain patched sections, I recommend using gel stain because you can’t get a great wood stain look over paint or old wood. So, it would give the best result on Bondo.

Check out my steps for using it in How To Stain Wood Furniture Without Stripping (4 Easy Steps And Video).

That’s it for Using Bondo to Repair Rotted Wood. Good luck with your repair! 🙂

Can You Use Bondo On Wood?

Yes, you can use Bondo on wood. I have used Bondo to repair interior and exterior wood for years. Bondo dries fast, and as hard and strong as wood, making Bondo a great way to repair wood.

To repair wood with Bondo, use Bondo All Purpose Putty or Bondo Wood Filler. Then follow the steps and video above for how to use Bondo on wood.

More DIY Projects For You

Looking for more handy DIY projects for your home? Check out my favorite way to fix ugly grout that won’t scrub clean.

You can restore that grout color without scrubbing. It's really quick and easy. You can even switch to a new grout color, with Grout Renew. My how-to video will show you how easy it is to update your grout color.

Or, my steps for the easy way to strip paint from wood furniture.

Easy DIY Steps for Stripping Paint from Wood Furniture. Simple to follow guide for how to strip paint on wood furniture, cabinets, steps, and floors.

Here’s How to Fix Damaged Wood Furniture with Bondo.

Here's my easy to follow guide for mixing and using Bondo All Purpose Putty to fix damaged wood furniture or new woodworking projects. Written steps and video to show you how to repair wood furniture damage, fix woodworking projects, or patch home decor with Bondo All Purpose Putty.

I love this easy DIY for How to Restain a Front Door without removing it.

Try this DIY for how to waterproof a plywood deck, roof or balcony.

Easy to follow DIY steps for how to waterproof a plywood deck, roof, or balcony with a Liquid Rubber Deck Coating. How to waterproof wood outside. How to waterproof a deck.

How to Use Bondo for Wood Rot Repair

The rotten wood on our exterior shutters has been removed. Now, I'm ready to apply the Bondo. #AbbottsAtHome #Bondo #DIYProjects

Using Bondo to Repair Wood Rot saved our Exterior Shutters from the burn pile! Here’s the easy steps.

Materials

  • All Purpose Bondo

Tools

  • Power Sander
  • Various Tools, like a Chisel, Utility Knife, and Putty Knife

Instructions

How to Use Bondo to Repair Wood Rot

Quick Guide to Steps

  1. Clean away all soft wood rot or use Hardener to harden the soft wood.
  2. Replace large sections of missing wood with new wood.
  3. Mix and apply Bondo All Purpose Putty.
  4. Sand smooth after it hardens.

Keep Reading for a detailed explanation of each step.

Step One

Start by cleaning and prepping the surface for Bondo. This can be done in basically 2 ways. One is removing all the soft and rotten wood with chisels, utility knives, screwdrivers, or whatever you have on hand. That’s what I went with.

Two is, removing just any mold, then hardening the rotten, soft wood with Bondo Wood Hardener, before applying the Bondo Putty. I’d go with hardener on curvy or routed wood. It’s hard to recreate that detail with wood filler or putty.

Step Two

You may want to replace large sections with wood, to create a good base and scaffold for the Bondo to stick too. One of my shutters lost so much wood, that I replaced the bottom with new wood. Then filled in between the old and new with the Bondo.

Step Three

Once the surface is solid, hard wood and clean, you can apply the filler. Mix just the amount you can use in about 5 minutes. Follow the directions on the Bondo. You can see how I mix mine in the video.

When using Bondo to repair wood rot, always wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area. The fumes are quite strong and even flammable. Mix the Bondo, then apply it to the area.

Spread it around with the spreaders. Try to get it as smooth as possible and filled over the level you need it at. Be sure to wear a mask, while sanding!

Step Four

Let harden for 30 minutes, then sand smooth with your sander. I used 80-grit to start, to make quick work of the sanding. Once, you’ve smoothed to the right level. You can decide if you need to add more Bondo.

I tend to just use normal wood filler on shallow dings and divets. Once, the wood is smoothed and sanded to a medium grit. It’s ready for a few good layers of exterior paint and primer. Or, you can sand to a fine grit and stain or seal with an exterior-grade product.

I do not recommend patching large areas that will be stained. It is very hard to match the filler to the wood and will likely look patched. But, smaller areas are less obvious and may work fine. It’s easier to hide a large patch with paint.

And, be sure to use the Bondo wood filler, if you are hoping to stain the wood. The putty dries grey and doesn’t stain well.

That’s it for How To Use Bondo to Repair Wood Rot. Good luck with your repair!

Thanks for checking out my Steps for Using Bondo To Repair Wood Rot.

Please let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

Chas Greener

Wednesday 13th of February 2019

My dad owns an auto body shop and I used to love watching him mix up bondo to work on cars as a kid. I am so glad you shared this tip about using it to repair wood too. Thanks for sharing.

Stephanie

Wednesday 13th of February 2019

Thanks so much, Chas. Isn't it so strange what can bring back sweet childhood memories. I always love the sound of a circular saw and seeing screws in Mason Jars for the same reason. :)

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