Quick answer: To repair a chip in wood, dry-fit the chip first, then apply CA glue (cyanoacrylate) to one surface and a light mist of accelerator to the other. Press the pieces together and hold for a few seconds. The bond sets instantly, and once cured you can sand, stain, and finish over it. For a missing chip you cannot find, fill the gap with thick CA glue or mix CA with fine sawdust to rebuild the area.
How to repair a chip in wood (step by step)
- Dry-fit the chip first. Before any glue, place the chip back into position to confirm exactly how it sits. CA glue bonds in seconds, so you want to know the fit before you commit.
- Apply glue and accelerator. Apply CA glue to one bonding surface, and a light mist of accelerator to the other. The accelerator makes the bond set on contact.
- Join and hold. Press the two surfaces together and hold briefly until set. Make sure the chip seats flush so it does not pop back out.
- Sand and finish. Once cured, sand the repair smooth and apply your stain or finish. Cured CA glue sands and accepts finish like the surrounding wood.
Choosing the glue: For a tight-fitting chip, thin or medium CA glue wicks into the joint. For a missing chip or a gap to fill, use thick CA glue, or build up the area by alternating thin CA glue with fine sawdust from the same wood for a color-matched fill.
Watch: repairing a chip on a wooden project
Frequently asked questions
What is the best glue to repair a chip in wood?
CA glue (cyanoacrylate) is ideal for chips because it bonds instantly without clamping and cures hard enough to sand and finish. For gap-filling, a thick CA glue or a CA-and-sawdust fill works best.
How long does the repair take to dry?
With accelerator, the bond sets on contact. Without it, thin CA sets in seconds and reaches full strength in about 24 hours. See our guide on how long super glue takes to dry and cure.
Can you stain over a CA glue wood repair?
Yes. Cured CA glue can be sanded flush and will accept most finishes. For the most natural look, fill with CA mixed with sawdust from the same wood so the patch blends in.
Will the chip pop back out?
Not if it is seated flush and fully bonded. Confirm the fit during the dry-fit step and hold the chip in place until the bond sets.
Repair wood chips the fast way.
Starbond CA glue and accelerator make instant, sandable wood repairs in thin, medium, and thick viscosities. Shop Starbond CA glue.
