Selecting the right tinted wood filler

[Dengue]

On a DVD rack I am building using radiata pine, I have to use countersunk screws to hold some shelves which are dadoed in to the outer box case. If I had realised that this type of joint does not glue well, I would have used a dovetail dado, but found out too late :(

I was considering staining this with a couple of coats of mahogany spirit stain, and went looking for a suitably stained matching wood filler to hide the countersunk screws. The shop assistant was trying to tell me that the filler should match the timber is is being used on, and not the final stain colour. Is this correct?

I was looking to use water based TimberMate woodfiller, with mahogany tint.

kind regards,
Jill

[Andy Mac]

Hi Jill,
I think you're on the right track, however I would be doing a test piece with the filler and stain first. The filler can be blended with other colours to tune it correctly.

Cheers,

[jmk89]

If you use Timbermate, and then propose to stain, use the natural/tint colour and it will take up the colour of the stain. Otherwise, the assistant is right - you get the base to the same colour and then stain the lot .

have a look at the TimberMate FAQs (http://www.timbermate.com.au/faqs/#q14)

[spokeshave]

If you have enough thickness in the case side, have you considered counterboring the screws then plugging up the holes with dowels. i have used this method before with pretty good results.

I leave enough space to have 4-5mm of dowel below the case surface, glue, then trim flush with a chisel or flush trimming saw. A final sand to clean things up.

Personally i prefer a neat flush dowel to a blob of filler. But thats because i'm not good at matching stains to fillers. Bear in mind that the dowel will have end grain showing so will stain darker than the suurounds.

Comes down to the individual situation and what you're comfortable with.

Let us know how you get on with your project.

Steven.