My filler shrank overnight and ruined the smooth surface

I spent hours filling these tiny cracks in an oak table. Used a water-based filler because it was easy to clean. Next morning, the filler had sunk in and left dips everywhere. Now I have to sand it all out and start over. Does this happen often with water-based fillers?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra_flores851mo ago

Try oil-based, it shrank less for me.

wade7251mo ago

Guess mine still shrank, but that's probably the painter.

young.nora1mo ago

Can you believe how much less it shrinks? I switched to oil-based after my latex paint cracked on some trim in under a year. My basement window sills got an oil coat last fall, and they still look perfect. The water-based stuff I used on the porch peeled by spring. Now the longer dry time feels like a fair trade.