Varathane Fill Sticks and Varathane Premium Touch-Up Markers fix small damage in stained wood: scratches, nicks, dents and nail holes in furniture, cabinets, trim, doors, moldings and floors. A fill stick is a solid, pre-colored wax you rub into a gouge or hole. A touch-up marker is a felt-tip stain that puts color back into a surface scratch. Both come in Varathane's numbered color groups, so you can match the stick and the marker to the same wood tone. Everything on this page comes from Varathane's technical data sheets and safety data sheets.
Fill sticks and markers we carry
Color Groups 4, 6, 8 and 10 come in both a fill stick and a marker.
Fill stick or marker: specs from Varathane
|
Fill Stick (3.2 oz) |
Touch-Up Marker (1/3 oz) |
| Best for |
Nicks, dents, nail holes and scratches with depth |
Minor surface scratches and blemishes on stained wood; hard-to-reach spots |
| Base |
Waxes, no solvents, 100% solids |
Alcohol-based stain |
| VOC |
None |
640 to 720 g/L (Color Groups 4 to 10) |
| Dry time |
Varathane's product page says it dries in 10 minutes |
Touch in 30 minutes, handle in 1 hour (70 to 80°F, 50% humidity) |
| Safety data sheet |
No signal word assigned |
Danger: highly flammable liquid and vapor |
| Shelf life |
3 years |
3 years |
How to use them (Varathane directions)
-
Fill stick: if the area around the nick or dent is rough, sand it smooth with 120-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain and remove the dust. Test the color in a hidden spot, work the stick into the defect until it is filled, then remove the excess with a plastic putty knife. For extra protection, brush a thin coat of Varathane polyurethane over the repair with an artist acrylic paint brush.
-
Touch-up marker: test the color in a hidden spot first (on soft woods, sand and condition the test area). Shake well, remove the cap and press lightly on the tip to start the stain, apply it to the scratch, then quickly wipe off the excess with a soft, lint-free cloth. Replace the cap tightly after each use.
Working on bare wood you plan to sand and stain? Use a hardening filler from our wood filler and wood putty collection instead. For non-hardening nail hole filler on finished wood, see Minwax Wood Putty, Minwax Blend-Fil Pencils and Old Masters Putty Sticks; for pens, see Old Masters Scratchide.
Shop related: all Varathane products, Varathane Triple Thick, cabinet refinishing and the furniture refinishing project cart.
FAQ
Can I blend fill stick colors?
Yes. Varathane says you can blend different Fill Sticks to create custom colors.
Do I need to topcoat a fill stick repair?
It is optional. Varathane says a thin coat of Varathane polyurethane, brushed on with an artist acrylic paint brush, gives the repaired area extra protection.
How long does a touch-up marker take to dry?
Varathane lists dry to the touch in 30 minutes and handling in 1 hour at 70 to 80°F and 50% humidity. Temperature, humidity and ventilation can change dry times.
Can I use them on floors?
Yes. Varathane lists floors along with furniture, cabinets, trim, doors and moldings.
Shipping and returns?
Orders of $35 or more qualify for free standard shipping within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. Touch-up markers are a flammable liquid. For return eligibility and instructions, see our refund policy.
Sources: Varathane Fill Sticks technical data sheet VAR-25 (Form GDH-17, rev 072325) and Fill Stick product page on rustoleum.com; Varathane Touch-Up Marker technical data sheet VAR-15 (Form GDH-641, rev 040425); Rust-Oleum safety data sheets for SKUs 215362-215371 (rev 3/24/2021) and 215355-215361 (rev 11/15/2023).
