Working With Putty
by Alan Noel
Professional Wood Finisher
It never fails. When cutting out parts for a project or just handling
the pieces during the glue-up, chips or dings are sure to happen and are
going to need to be filled with some type of filler. The same is
also true when working on old furniture. Nail holes need to be filled or the
corner edge of a top has been slightly damaged. When it comes to the
finishing stage, hiding these repairs can be quite a challenge. Here are 7 tips to guide you.
1. Practice on scrap first.
2. Always try to use a filler that is closest to the final color of the project
itself.
3. Wet the scrap with a little water or the stain to be used. This will
mimic the color of the wood when the finish is being applied.
4. Take into consideration the type of wood filler to use. A two part epoxy
are better for larger fills, water based or solvent based for small holes or
cracks.
5. Fillers come in different colors that can be intermixed.
6. Water and solvent based fillers can also be thinned with the appropriate
thinner to make a "grain filler" for a super smooth surface.
7. As for antiques, utilizing sanding dust from the piece mixed with liquid
hide glue is great for small areas since the sanding dust carries the "patina'
of the aged wood itself.
Visiting Atlanta? Attend one of Alan's upcoming highly informative Highland Woodworking wood
finishing seminars:
Apr 14
Antiques Show and Tell
Apr 25
French Polish Workshop
Apr 28
Spray Finishing
May 5-6
Antique Restoration
May 12
Antiques Show & Tell
June 13
Coloring with Wood
Visit Highland Woodworking's Online
Wood Finishing Supplies Department
Alan can be reached directly via email c/o Alan Noel Furniture Refinishing at
anoelfurniturere@bellsouth.net
.
