Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jul 28, 2008 02:42pm | #1

   I use several methods to fill small holes, but my favorite (and the one that usually ends up the least visible) is to use wax filler pencils after the stain and finish are on. You can get them in various colors and shades and, with a little judicious blending of colors, you can usually get the patch to disappear.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

2. 
   bigfootnampa | Jul 28, 2008 02:57pm | #2

   Wait till you have the piece well sealed (one or two coats of clear) before filling the brad holes.  Use Glaziers putty (or painter's putty... same thing in a different can).  You could use stain to tint it but you'll get a weak tint that way and over-dilute your putty.  Use tinting pigments instead.  It sometimes helps to use two shades of putty and mix them as you fill.  If you really need top drawer work you can tint your fill to match the lighter wood tones and then add graining with a very fine brush in the darker tones.  The graining will break up the hole outlines and greatly improve the camoflage effect. 

   If you apply putty too early in the process the colors will not be as well defined and you are likely to get a haloing effect around the holes.  I do like to get one coat of clear over the putty though... it keeps the sheen matching.  Let the putty dry for a day or more before coating over  it if you can manage to.

   
   

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   Edited 7/28/2008 8:00 am ET by bigfootnampa

3. 
   oldusty | Jul 28, 2008 05:04pm | #3

   Eddie,

           In this application one way is to fill the holes and sand , then stain and finish the whole piece with the closest color filler you can find .

           Another product called color putty it's a soft putty / filler that comes in small jars and can be used either after all finishing is done or just before the last few coats .

     I use the color putty for filling holes on nailed in moldings on finished and installed jobs.

            dusty

1. 
   FastEddie | Jul 28, 2008 05:34pm | #5

   My concern with filling and sanding before staining the piece is that the filler might contaminate the area around the nail hole and make it worse.  I'll find some colored putty and try to mix up a suitable blend. "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   oldusty | Jul 28, 2008 05:47pm | #6

    Most newbies laugh when I tell them there is an art to filling holes . I fill all my holes before rough sanding and again in-between lightly if needed especially on Red Oak . This gives you a chance to clean the surface around the fill to clean any residue you speak of .Make sure you use air and blow out the holes to get any residue from nails before filling . To me it is much easier and more efficient to fill before finishing .

             dusty

4. 
   hammer1 | Jul 28, 2008 05:07pm | #4

   You can use color putty. There are several brands, Minwax is available at HD, many lumber yards carry others, typically comes in small plastic jars. This putty can be mixed with other colors by kneading them together. The putty is soft. You press it in the hole with your finger and buff off the excess with a clean rag. It should be used after the first coat of your top coat and then covered by a second top coat. Finish carpenters use it on stained trim work.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match