Need Help with Filler for Plywood

[Floyd Cox]

This weekend I built this puzzle rocker for my 1 year old grandson.

I wanted to stain it but I don't no of any good wood fillers that will help me camouflage several large plywood holes, any help would be appreciated.



http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/fdc313/Rocker-1_zps38ff9d22.jpg (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/fdc313/media/Rocker-1_zps38ff9d22.jpg.html)

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/fdc313/Rocker_zps747665c2.jpg (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/fdc313/media/Rocker_zps747665c2.jpg.html)

[Phil Thien]

I use pieces of like wood (in your case it looks like poplar core) that I trim and shove into the hole with some glue to hold it. Once that dries you can fill any remaining gaps with stainable filler. Just remember that the stainable filler isn't really going to match the wood, so you want to minimize the amount you use. Larger sections will stand out like a sore thumb.

In the future, a project like that would probably come out better with Baltic birch plywood.

[Howard Acheson]

Stain and apply your first coat of clear. Now you will know what color filler you need. Go to a paint store with a sample of the item and they should be able to help you match the color filler that will be best to use. Then apply the filler followed by a couple of additional coats of your clear.

There is no truly "stainable" filler that does a good job.

[Alan Lightstone]

What kind of filler do paint stores sell? This would have been invaluable to me on a few projects.

Do they have a basic filler that they match with the addition of UTCs? Oil based? Water based? I've had them tint lacquer before, but never a filler.

[Steve Kohn]

If you decide to paint the rocker I've used both drywall compound or automotive body filler (Bondo) on the edge of plywood to hide the holes and cross grain. I prefer the body filler as it is harder.

[Floyd Cox]

If you decide to paint the rocker I've used both drywall compound or automotive body filler (Bondo) on the edge of plywood to hide the holes and cross grain. I prefer the body filler as it is harder.

Steve, I think I will end up painting it,,... thanks for the information on the filler.

Floyd

[Quinn McCarthy]

I would use famowood solvent based. Dries quick and will stain great. Sands easy. Been using it for 30 years. Never had a problem. Keep the can upside down to keep from drying up.

http://hdlusa.com/catalog.cfm?GroupID=Glue%2C%20Sealants%2C%20Caulks %2C%20Fillers&CatID=Wood%20Fillers&showprod=1

Hope that helps.

Quinn

[John TenEyck]

TimberMate is my favorite wood filler. It is water thin-able, yet is insoluble once dry. It comes in many colors, or you can buy the neutral and tint it with Transtint dyes. You can use it like filler, or thin it and use it as a grain filler.

John