: 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

Grant, the unthickened epoxy will run through the hole and not fill the hole but it will coat the insides of the holes. The holes must be filled to ensure that no air can be trapped within the space. Any air trapped will cause weak spots and affect the overall appearance of the yak. If the holes are filled with clear epoxy they will look clear in the final appearance and the holes are a part of the final appearance. Wood flour is used to thicken the epoxy and add color so that it will fill the holes completely and stay in place until curing takes affect. You can moderate the color of the filled hole by using different types of wood flour. Use the wood flour Donnie sent with your kit, it is okhume mahogany flour and closely matches your kit. Hope this helps.

Robert N Pruden