Often it makes sense to prefinish parts before assembly, but how do you keep wet finish out of dowel or shelf-pin holes? Here’s what I do. I cut short pieces of foam backer rod that’s sold at hardware stores for filling gaps behind caulk. Its form-filling resiliency plugs the holes nicely. Use a rod diameter slightly larger than the holes you’re covering. Apply finish, then remove the plugs before it dries.
-John Cusimano
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
