Weathered Wood

I am painting some wood window sills which are weathered and some are grain cracked. Is there a product to fill the cracks which are maybe 1/32" or 1/16" wide. The depth varies but probably 1/8" average.

I am currently using Minwax Wood Hardener which I like because it is a resin that converts the weathered wood to more like a plastic, but that doesn't fill the cracks. I am thinking maybe caulk in the cracks would work. I once tried glazing compound which didn't work because it eventually crumbled and failed to hold in the small cracks.

Or is working primer into the cracks the only answer.

 

There are quite a few options. I like caulking because it seals good as is somewhat flexible. Glazing compound will work but the wood needs to be oil primed first, then the glazing applied and then reprimed after 24 hrs. The paint allows it to withstand the weather. Exterior spackling can also be used. Primer/paint will not fill the crack.

 

Don't use caulk! I found that just doesn't work...the caulk doesn't expand and contract the same and you will have paint flaking in a year or 2. The paint also doesn't adhere as well to the caulk....no matter what the tube says. I have used caulk successfully in rafters on my covered porch...but they are not exposed to sun like my trimwork is. Maybe it was the type of caulk I used...I dunno...but I won't do it again.

I used a fiberglass bondo type stuff on the rough cut rake and fascia boards cracks when we moved here...it blended well texture wise and has held up well for 5 yrs. No paint loss either. Might not work for you unless you sand it afterwards....I didn't have that issue. Just slapped it on with a putty knife and worked it into the cracks after a good wire brushing of the affected areas. Prob not a standard repair...but it worked well.

 

Vic, I've caulked no small number of cracks in window sills and never had any issues
I usually use a siliconized acrylic latex caulk..... and there is a big difference between the quality caulks and the cheap stuff. When caulking a crack like that you push the caulk into the crack and then take a damp rag and wipe off all the excess leaving the caulk just in the crack - none on the surrounding wood.

 

Yep...that what I did...and it looked ok for about 2 yrs. This was right on the front of the house on some rake boards.....gets max sun and weather. The larger cracks that I did with bondo are still fine...but the caulked ones...the paint flaked off. The caulk is still there...just not the paint...lol.

Just my experience.

 

Painting them when done? If so, I'd go with wood putty or Bondo.