Why are wood fillers sold in tubs with flat tops?

[Stephen Tashiro]

Why are so many wood filler products sold in tubs that have flat tops that do not seal well? Although ineffective for storing wood filler, is there some positive aspect to this design?

[Frank Pratt]

I've often pondered this very question. Like every time I open a tub of filler. The key, for most of them, is to keep the rim of the tub and the groove in the lid meticulously clean. I also put just a little spray of water on top of the left over filler before sealing it up. It will last several months and beyond that way. If I remember, I'll open the lid & mix up the contents every few months, which helps.

[Mark Hennebury]

Yes, you buy more filler if the old one dries out.

[glenn bradley]

My theory is that if you need filler, you probably need a lot of it. Cletus needs plenty of room to dip his 3" putty knife in there :D. In reality I think Mark is more correct. I have had some success laying a film of plastic food wrap inside touching the surface of the putty.

For the amount of filler I use, TImbermate is cost effective and is the best filler I have ever used. I made the mistake of buying 2 or 3 colors along with the neutral. It's been years and I have never opened the colored ones.

[Dave Lehnert]

My guess so they will stack well on the shelves of the big box stores.

[Steve Jenkins]

Like paint if you store them bottom up they will last longer.

[Dave Zellers]

For the amount of filler I use, TImbermate is cost effective and is the best filler I have ever used. I made the mistake of buying 2 or 3 colors along with the neutral. It's been years and I have never opened the colored ones.

THAT is the beauty of Timbermate. When it starts to dry out just add a few drops of warm water. It takes some patience to mix it in thoroughly but it is worth it. When I'm in a hurry, I just mix the top half inch or so and move on. Amazing stuff.

[Doug Garson]

Even worse is soldering flux in the metal tins and traditional paint cans bring up the rear. I think it's Home Depot that just introduced paint in a jug like a milk jug with a screw top.

[mike stenson]

Even worse is soldering flux in the metal tins.

Store it in a fridge.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Even worse is soldering flux in the metal tins and traditional paint cans bring up the rear. I think it's Home Depot that just introduced paint in a jug like a milk jug with a screw top.


I buy LACO flux, and it comes in plastic jars with screw tops. Buy a large container and put some of it in smaller container to keep on the truck. HD's new paint can is total plastic, except for the wire handle. The screw on spout is semi handy. First you have to remove lid to mix paint, and spout works best when can is half empty. DAMHIK

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Even worse is soldering flux in the metal tins and traditional paint cans bring up the rear. I think it's Home Depot that just introduced paint in a jug like a milk jug with a screw top.

have not yet seen screw top paint at my Home Depot, but they have switched to plastic paint cans. FYI- don’t try to hammer the lid on those The same way you do the metal ones. Guess how I know. Just a quick touch-up. No drop cloth needed for that, right? All done- I’m so smart- just gotta put the lid on, and.... (remainder deleted to comply with forum rules on profanity.) The top went into the can, acting like a plunger, and the entry hall ended up getting a repaint.

444331

[Doug Garson]

I don't use a lot of solder flux so buying a bigger container is not an option. Last time I couldn't get the metal tin open (I'll try the fridge idea next time) but had a plastic screw top container so used it. Wonder why they don't package it in a tube like toothpaste? Seems like that would be very easy to use. Actually that would work for wood filler also.

[Dave Zellers]

.... (remainder deleted to comply with forum rules on profanity.) The top went into the can, acting like a plunger, and the entry hall ended up getting a repaint.

444331

I don't know- I think you had an opportunity to bill them extra for the 'Spontaneous Art'. I liked it! :cool:

[Andrew Seemann]

All the flux that I have used in the last decade or two comes in a plastic tub with a lid, kind of like a sour cream container but with a better lid. I stopped using NoKorode in the metal tins years ago. Do they even still sell it like that?

The Famowood solvent wood fillers are in upside-down paint can style containers, although they can still dry out too. The gad-awful smelling solvent they sell thins it right up though.

[Mel Fulks]

Because they kept falling over when they had crew-cuts

[glenn bradley]

Because they kept falling over when they had crew-cuts

owwwwww-ch! :)

[Clark Hussey]

My guess so they will stack well on the shelves of the big box stores.
Best answer

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I don't know- I think you had an opportunity to bill them extra for the 'Spontaneous Art'. I liked it! :cool:

I mean- if it works for Jackson Pollock...

[Bill Dufour]

They used to have gallon paint cans with big screw on lids. No longer sold. I asked why sales guy said they dried out on the shelf. You have to religiously clean the threads or it will dry and stick so it can not be opened. They do sell pint paint samples in little screw top plastic jars. Lowes 5 gallon pails of paint the lid/spout pulls out and does not really reseal. If left out side in the rain the pail will have a full five gallons in it regardless of how much it started with.
Bill D

[Brian Elfert]

I buy LACO flux, and it comes in plastic jars with screw tops. Buy a large container and put some of it in smaller container to keep on the truck. HD's new paint can is total plastic, except for the wire handle. The screw on spout is

Which brand of paint at HD has the plastic paint container with screw on top? The pictures on HD's website still show everything as having the pound on lids. Menards has Dutch Boy (I think that is the brand) paint with screw on lids and an integrated pour spout.