How To Fill Screw Holes
Can you use Spakfilla to patch a hole and then fix a screw into it?
No. Selleys Spakfilla is not designed for that purpose. It is a lightweight surface filler for holes and cracks you are going to sand and paint — its data sheets carry the instructions do not nail into the dried filler and not for load bearing applications, because the material can simply be crushed.
For filling a hole in a kitchen cupboard and then re-fixing a screw into it, use one of two products:
- Selleys Knead It Multipurpose — a hand-kneadable epoxy putty. Fill the hole and let it dry hard before drilling.
- Selleys Plasti-Bond — a two-part filler that can be drilled or screwed once cured.
The method that gives the best result
Whichever of the two you use, the sequence matters more than the product choice:
- Fill the old screw holes fully and firmly. A hole packed loosely leaves voids, and a screw driven into a void has nothing to grip. Press the filler right into the back of the hole.
- Allow it to fully dry and cure. Do not rush this. Drilling a partly cured filler tears it rather than cutting it.
- Sand level with the surrounding surface.
- Mark and drill small pilot holes for the screws. This is the step that most often gets skipped, and it is the one that decides whether the repair holds — a pilot hole reduces the chance of the filler cracking as the new screw is driven in.
- Drive the screws, and do not overtighten. The filler has finite compressive strength.
Why Knead It suits a cupboard repair
Knead It Multipurpose is a fast-setting epoxy repair putty that bonds to timber, metal, masonry, plastics and ceramics. Its published uses include anchoring bolts, screws and housings and moulding to reform or reshape damaged timber — which is precisely the case where a hinge screw has torn out of a cupboard side and taken some of the board with it.
| Working time | 3 to 5 minutes at 25°C |
| Initial cure | 60 minutes — machining and finishing can start here |
| Full cure | 24 hours at 25°C |
| Shore D hardness | 80 ± 5 (ASTM D2240, at full cure) |
| Compressive strength | 55 MPa |
| Lap shear tensile strength | 5.5 to 6 MPa on steel |
| Packaging | 110g plastic tube, 50g blister pack |
Indicative data only, not intended for the preparation of specifications.
The 3 to 5 minute working time is the figure to plan around. Knead only as much putty as you can place in that window, and have the hole prepared before you start mixing. The 60 minute initial cure is when you can drill, sand, machine, file, saw and paint — but full strength arrives at 24 hours, so if the fixing is going to carry weight, give it the day.
Set time increases below 20°C, so allow longer in a cold room. For best adhesion, scuff or sand the bond area before cleaning it, and make sure the surface is free of grease, dirt and dust. Wear a dust mask when sanding.
Why Plasti-Bond is the alternative
Plasti-Bond is a two-part bog — a resin used with a separate hardener — for filling holes and cracks in building materials. Once cured it can be sanded, drilled and screwed into. It suits a larger repair, or several holes at once, where mixing a batch is more practical than kneading individual pieces of putty.
For the best adhesion to timber, the surface needs to be clean, dry, unpainted and free from grease or oil. Note that Plasti-Bond Heavy Duty is classified as a hazardous product — read the label and the safety data sheet before mixing, work in a ventilated area and wear gloves.
What Spakfilla is genuinely for
None of this makes Spakfilla a poor product; it is the wrong product for a fixing. Spakfilla Rapid is a ready-mixed, lightweight, fast-drying, virtually non-shrinking filler for wallboard, wood, masonry, plaster, plasterboard and primed nail heads, and it can be painted 30 minutes after a thin application. If the hole in question is only going to be painted over, it is the right and much easier choice.
Its limitations, in full: do not nail into it; not for load bearing applications; do not use on plastic, metal or exterior timber likely to swell or shrink with water; and avoid using below 5°C or in wet conditions.
Common questions
Can I screw into Spakfilla if the screw is small?
It is still not designed for it. Use Knead It or Plasti-Bond where a fixing has to hold.
How long before I can drill Knead It?
60 minutes after application. Full cure is 24 hours at 25°C.
Do I have to drill a pilot hole?
Yes. It reduces the chance of the filler cracking as the screw is secured.
How much Knead It should I mix at once?
Only as much as you can place in 3 to 5 minutes at 25°C — less if the room is warm.
What if the room is cold?
Set time increases below 20°C. Allow more time before drilling.
Can I paint over the repair?
Yes. Knead It can be painted after 60 minutes of hardening. A bog should be sanded level first.
Will Knead It stick to chipboard or MDF cupboard sides?
It bonds to timber, metal, masonry, plastics and ceramics. Scuff and clean the bond area first, and pack the hole firmly so the putty keys into the board rather than sitting in it.
What size does Knead It come in?
A 110g plastic tube and a 50g blister pack.
Is there a guide to hole repairs?
Yes — repairing holes in the home and how to fill cracks and dents in walls.
Can I use Selleys Spakfilla to patch a hole and fix a screw in it?
This is the core question addressed on Selleys' 'How To Fill Screw Holes' expert advice page, which provides guidance on preparing and filling screw holes for a smooth, even finish.
What product does Selleys recommend for filling screw holes in floorboards?
Selleys No More Cracks Wood Filler is recommended for filling screw holes in floorboards after fastening.
What is the process for filling a screw hole in a floorboard using Selleys No More Cracks Wood Filler?
First, screw flat-head screws into pilot holes with the screw heads sunk just below the surface of the floorboard. Then fill the holes above the screw heads with the wood filler. Once the filler has dried, sand it back to achieve a smooth, finished surface that blends with the surrounding wood.
Why is Selleys No More Cracks Wood Filler effective for filling screw holes?
It provides a durable, rigid finish suitable for high-traffic areas like floorboards, has excellent adhesion to timber surfaces, can be sanded smooth after drying, and is stainable and paintable for aesthetic matching.
What is the general application process for using rigid fillers on screw holes?
The typical workflow includes ensuring the surface is clean and dry before application, using a filling blade or scraper to press the filler firmly into the hole, scraping away excess material to minimize sanding requirements, allowing adequate drying time (typically 2-3 hours depending on humidity), and sanding with fine sandpaper for a smooth finish.
Does the drying time for the filler vary?
Yes, drying time typically takes 2-3 hours depending on humidity.
What company publishes this advice page on filling screw holes?
The page is published by Selleys, an Australian adhesives, sealants and fillers brand founded in 1939 in Sydney, Australia, and a division of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd.