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Putty: Your essential buying guide
For small cracks, dents and gaps, look for a general-purpose filler or repair putty that matches the surface you are working on, such as wood, plaster, masonry or metal. Check the product description for whether it can be sanded, painted and used indoors or outdoors.
No. Putty is usually used to fill, shape or repair a surface, while sealants and silicones are commonly used to create flexible joints and watertight seals. If the joint needs to move, a sealant may be more suitable; if you need to fill and smooth a damaged area, putty is often the better match.
Many repair putties can be painted once fully cured, but not all. Check whether the product is described as paintable and whether it needs sanding or priming before decorating. Always follow the stated curing time before applying paint.
Choose a putty specifically marked for exterior use and suitable for the surface, such as exterior wood, masonry or metal. Look for information on weather resistance, water resistance and whether the finished repair can be painted or sealed.
For small dents, chips and touch-ups, a small tube or tub may be enough. For deeper repairs, repeated filling or several areas around the home, compare larger tubs, sticks or two-part compounds. It is worth checking coverage guidance and whether the putty has a limited working time once opened or mixed.
Putty is useful for filling, shaping, sealing and repairing, but different formulas are made for different surfaces and jobs. Comparing the intended use, finish and setting behaviour will help you avoid choosing a product that is too soft, too rigid or unsuitable for the environment.
Start with the material you are repairing. Wood putty is commonly chosen for dents, holes and trim repairs, while masonry or plaster putty is better suited to walls and solid surfaces. Metal repair putties and epoxy putties are often used where a tougher, mouldable compound is needed.
If the job involves glass panes, pipework or bathroom fittings, check for a product designed for that specific use rather than assuming a general filler will work. The label should state the compatible materials and any surfaces to avoid.
For decorating jobs, look for putty that can be smoothed, sanded and painted after curing. A fine finish matters on visible walls, skirting, frames and furniture, where a rough repair can show through paint.
For hidden repairs or functional sealing, appearance may be less important than adhesion, water resistance or flexibility. Compare product details carefully if the repaired area will be exposed to moisture, temperature changes or movement.
Some putties are ready to use straight from the tub or tube, while two-part putties need mixing before application. Fast-setting options can be useful for quick repairs, but they may give you less time to shape and smooth the material.
If you are new to DIY or repairing a larger area, a longer working time can make application easier. Always compare curing information as drying, sanding and painting times can vary by formula and repair depth.
Putty is available in tubs, tubes, sticks and two-part packs. Tubes can be convenient for small, neat applications, while tubs are useful when you need to fill multiple areas. Sticks and kneadable putties can be handy for shaping around awkward repairs.
Avoid buying only by pack size. A specialist putty in a smaller pack may be a better fit than a larger general-purpose product if it is designed for the exact material and conditions of your job.
Putty sits alongside other building repair products, but it is not always interchangeable with them. For flexible joints, you may need a sealant or silicone instead; for fixing hardware, plugs, screws or other fasteners may be part of the wider job rather than a substitute for putty.
When planning a repair, consider the full task: cleaning, filling, sanding, painting and any fittings that need to be replaced. This helps you compare putty as part of the overall DIY and building materials you may need.
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