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I just installed new colonial pine trim in three rooms. I plan on using Minwax products to stain and finish with poly. My question is when do I fill in the nail holes,(before or after stain & poly), and what product should I use to fill in the nail holes. As you can guess this is the first time I have done this and I would appreciate any tips you might have! Thanks!!!!!
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Mike
You should fill any nail holes after staining and finishing. Use a colored wax pencil which you rub into the hole and then wipe off any excess with a dry cloth. Minwax make these pencils in the colors of their stains, but you can use any brand. Choose a color of pencil closest to your finished wood. If you can't match the color excactly, err on the dark side. Good luck.
*Mike, Ditto Stan's advice. I believe the Minwax pencils are called Blend-Fil. They work well but filling a bunch of holes gets tedius. On my last few jobs I've tried a new technique: chucking the pencil into a 3/8" cordless drill and spinning the filler into the hole. Seems to make it go a little faster. Also, when buffing off with a cloth, if you blast the area for just about 1 or 2 seconds with a heat gun (or hair dryer) it buffs off easier. (Careful with the heat so you don't burn the finish.) GP.
*MIKE, IF YOU NEED TO MATCH THE COLOR BETTER THAN A BLEND FILL PENCIL, TRY A PUDDY MIXED WITH YOUR STAIN COLOR. MAKE SURE YOU BUY A STAIN ABLE PUDDY.
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