Now that the surface is complete, the actual refinishing can start.
FILLING THE WOOD
If you decide that the wood need to be filled, now is the time to do it. Put some on a rag and rub it over
the entire surface, spreading it and using a lot of pressure to force it into the pores of the wood. If you
can get burlap this is a good cloth to use in applying the filler. The open mesh we will store as well as
release the filler when it is rubbed across the surface.
Do not get into a hurry and apply the filler over too large and area at one time. It will dry before you can
rub it in. The size of the area that you want to apply the wood filler should not be over eight or ten inch
square area. After rubbing it in, wipe with a clean burlap, and then start on a new area. By applying it
this way it will save you a lot of sanding later on. After completing the filling, you need to let the work
stand for several hours, and better yet overnight, to allow the filler to dry. After drying, put on the sealer
coat and let it dry an hour or so before starting the final sanding. Apply white shellac that is thinned with
alcohol, and brush it on the filled surface. The sealer will sink deep into the raw wood and therefore cut
down on a lot of sanding. If you plan on staining, it will allow the surface to except the staining more
evenly.
GOUGES AND DENTS
If you make mistakes or the wood has dents or gouges and it is always better to pads these areas with
real wood, then with wood putty. Be aware however that wood putty doesn't take stain as well as wood
does. Wood putty is made with a wood flower, which is a very fine sawdust, and some type of finish that
will cure and stick to the wood particles. You can make wood putty's from mixtures of sawdust and glue,
usually quite glue or epoxy. Since neither of these finishes can absorb stain. It is impossible to make it
would putty that will stain has naturally as wood.
The following wood putty is applied in a similar manner. Take a little of the putty out of the container with
a putty knife or if the hole is small use a flat screwdriver. Now, we should press the down in the hole or
the gouge, and smooth off the top by pulling the putty across the surface toward you. You want the putty
to form a very slight mound so that it will leave the depression when it shrinks as it dries. On the
depressions, it is best to apply several coats to build a putty level with the surface.
After the putty is thoroughly dry, sanded level with the surrounding wood. You can also get tinting colors,
which is available that most paint or art supply stores. They are used to color any type of putty,
commercial or homemade. You want to match the color of the wood after it is stained and finish. This
may take some experimentation on scrap wood to arrive at this color while the putty is still damp, judge
the color. When at this stage you will get a fairly good idea of how the putty will look after it is finishes.
Be aware that the color of the stain or putty after it drives will not be accurate.