Colored wood filler

if it has very little smell its probably water based and you can put a smaal amount of water in it . if it has a fairly rank smell its probably solvent based and since i dont use that type im not sure what to thin it with

If it’s the solvent based kind, like Famowood, they have a thinner that you can buy. It’s mostly MEK and Acetone. I always have a can of each of these, so I keep a 50/50 mixture that I restore the filler with.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

The ones that are the worst are from Minwax. I have others from Colorputty that say mineral spirits. They both smell similar. Neither smell that bad, but it’s cold in my shop right now. I just put a little paint thinner in the worst one. I’ll post the results here later in the day. If that doesn’t work I try another with acetone.

What is MEK? I don’t have any of that. Where do you get it?

-- Michael R. Harvey - Brewster, NY - RusticElementArt.com - SpaceAware.org - AnConn.com

Methyl Ethyl Ketone. It’s a fast acting and evaporating solvent usually used for working with fiberglass. It’s used to clean surfaces of all oils and adhesives. It needs to be used in a well ventilated area, with gloves. It makes lacquer thinner seem like odor free mineral spirits. Usually the paint stores will carry it. Home Depot has it, but you have to buy a gallon of it.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

I’ve had good success keeping fillers (or any material, even paints and varnishes) from hardening or skinning over by using a piece of saran wrap and putting in the container and pressing it to the surface of the material. (easier for fillers than for liquids)
This seals off the material from the remaining air in the container and seems to keep stuff much better for longer. -SST

-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you

You might try an automotive store where they sell fibreglass products for m.e.k. It may come in small tubes that you can buy from them. I know that it is used in body fillers also.

-- Saved, and so grateful, consider who Created it ALL!!!

Well, I promised an update and here it is. Seems paint thinner works great for softening Minwax colored wood filler. I just saved myself $3!

-- Michael R. Harvey - Brewster, NY - RusticElementArt.com - SpaceAware.org - AnConn.com