The One “Can” Every Garage and Workshop needs!!!!
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So, What is this stuff?
Durham’s Water Putty has been around for a very long time. I started using it about 15 years ago and when my “woodworking” father-in-law saw it on my work bench, he laughed and said I’ve been using the same stuff since I was a kid. Since my first table refinish (when I used Durham’s for some unseemly cracks), I have always had two 4 pound cans in stock in my wood finishing cabinet. This is probably a product you have seen a hundred times walking down the aisles of Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc and you never stopped to wonder “what’s the deal with the old school can of putty?” It’s always easy to find on the aisle when I need a backup can; it’s red, yellow, and white with a 1920s olympian on it. So, in the next section we will talk about why you need two cans of this at all times.
Why do I need Durham's Hard Rock water putty?
Let’s start by referencing the label in the picture above. It lists a few of the substrates that Durham’s can be used on. It doesn’t even start with the easy stuff like wood; it jumps straight into “use Durham’s to make lasting repairs in plaster, stone, tile, or cement”. Saying all of that, I can personally attest to using the water putty on many types of wood, a couple small drywall holes (don’t judge – I didn’t have spackle at the time), masonry block, and brick. I have a good amount of pics of repaired areas around my house that I could show you, but you wouldn’t see any difference from the areas around. That’s how good this product is. Let’s read a little more of the label: “Fill cracks, Knot, Nail, and Screw Holes. Sticks and stays put – will not Shrink. You can saw, sand, polish, color, mold, or paint it.” That’s quite the sales pitch on a can of something that we all used to walk by in the store without even a glance.
Conclusion
I literally believe in this product so much that I don’t exaggerate when I say that I always have two cans so I never run out. If you don’t believe me, please reference the top picture. It’s not staged – I pulled out both cans and set them on my work bench to take the picture. A far as using the product, you mix it with water and can add latex paint to tint it to match your substrate. Vinegar can be used to control the working time. It’s super easy to use and I’ve never had a problem mixing the product.
Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think about Durham’s Water Putty.
Tool Space Recommendation
We recommend this tool to the following skill levels.
