Replies

1. 
   rob_ss | Jan 07, 2024 01:27am | #1

   I would apply after, though have never used tinted putty myself - reason being that you can always add stain after if needed.

2. 
   JEarch | Jan 07, 2024 02:05am | #2

   Apply filler after so you can better color match the finished wood. Also avoids creating a halo from excess filler imbedded in the surrounding grain that then gets sealed in and doesn’t change color along with the surrounding wood as it ages. Especially important with cherry, fir and other woods that darken over time.

3. 
   Rob_Sp | Jan 07, 2024 09:56am | #3

   It depends on the type. If its non hardening tinted putty, you use after finish and wipe off the excess.
   If it is a drying (hard) putty such as Famowood or the Minwax branded one, you should use during the construction, with the excess removed during the sanding process prior to finishing. The drying type are also available tinted to match the wood species but will also take a stain if one is applied.
   As with everything finish, make samples to determine which works best for your application.

4. 
   grbmds | Jan 08, 2024 02:41pm | #4

   Minwax also has wax crayon type filler that comes in a variety of color. This would be used after finishing because it contains wax.

   Another option is to create some fine sawdust from the wood you're using (sanding with 120 or 150 grit should be fine enough). Mixing a small amount of this sawdust with a 1 or 2 lb. cut of dewaxed shellac will create a putty-like mixture. You don't want it too firm nor too liquid. Once that dries, sealing the whole project with a coat of dewaxed shellac then whatever else you finish with will work well. But this works best if you aren't staining the piece and just finishing it naturally.

   Also, you can make the putty fill-in blend in better by taking a colored pencil of similar color to the grain of the wood and lightly drawing some lines that mesh with the existing grain. It takes a little experimentation but it really does hide the fill-ins much better.

   Neither of my ideas are really mine. I learned them from a YouTube video by Mark Spagnolo, The Wood Whisperer. That video has been a good source for these types of questions and filling in even wood damaged during assembly or routing.

5. 
   Kurt_Battles | Jan 08, 2024 09:57pm | #5

   Lot of good information, finishing is a world of its own. Thanks for sharing knowledge, this is an important learning forum.