: I am hoping to pull deck stitches in the next couple of days. I have seen a
: few comments regarding filling the holes before glassing. Techniques range
: from toothpicks to wood filler.

: But what happens if you do not fill the stitch holes before glassing? They
: will be covered by glass and I am guessing that some of the epoxy will be
: absorbed into the holes. Correct?

: So is it really necessary to fill the holes before glassing?

: grant

You're correct - generally, it's not necessary to fill them. Precoat, wetout, fill, will all do their part to fill the holes with epoxy. It does make them more noticable (darker) than holes carefully filled with an appropriately colored filler. But the holes are small, and I've seen several building journals saying it wasn't worth the bother. Non-builders don't seem to notice them until you point them out, and even then the pattern is neat in its own way.

Do give them a looking over as you get to the last of your fill coats. Sometimes they can create a tiny surface depression that loves to catch sanding dust. A drop of epoxy early corrects it much easier than trying to sand it out later.