Putty

• If you are planning on staining the wood you are fixing, make sure you use putty wood filler that is designed to accept wood stains such as Minwax's Stainable Wood Filler.
  
  Before using the wood filler, make sure the wood is clean of any dirt or debris. Spread or squeeze a generous amount of filler on the wood and use a putty knife to place the filler in the hole and pack it in tightly. You want to make sure the hole is filled slightly above the surface of the wood, but try to minimize the amount of filler spilling over into other areas.
  
  Allow the wood filler to dry completely. Most areas will dry in about two hours. When it is dry, you can sand the filler down until it is flush and smooth with the rest of the wood surface. It is then ready to be stained or painted.
  
  If you have an especially deep hole, it will take longer to dry. You may also need to fill it more than one time. Make sure to allow the filler to dry completely between fillings.
  
  

Paste

• Paste wood fillers usually are too thick to use without thinning it first. The filler needs to be the consistency of thick paint. You can use an oil-based wood stain as a thinning agent. Just use three parts wood filler to two parts wood stain. If you aren't going to use a stain, then you can use paint thinner to thin the filler to the proper consistency.
  
  Use a stiff brush with short bristles to apply the wood filler to the piece of wood that has been cleaned of any dirt or debris. You should apply it with the grain first before applying it across the grain.
  
  Allow the wood filler to dry long enough so that your finger doesn't slip when you drag your finger across the surface of the wood. This should take only 10 to 15 minutes. When it is dry enough, use a clean cloth made of a coarse material, such as nylon, and wipe the excess wood filler off. First wipe across the grain and then wipe lightly with the grain.
  
  The finish needs to dry for 24 hours. You can apply a second or third layer for a smoother finish. Just make sure to allow each layer to dry completely before applying another.