When finishing, how do I deal with wormholes in wood: leave them open or try to fill them?
Greg Williams: This depends on the look you want. For a distressed look, the worms have made it unnecessary for you to put in the wormholes. If you don't want to see them, you must fill them. Look for a solvent or waterbased filler that, when stained, will look natural on your wood. Test the filler with your finishing schedule on a piece of wood as nearly identical to the item you are working, possibly in a spot on the piece that will not normally be seen, like the underside of a table or chair, to determine how it will look. To completely hide the holes, you may have to apply additional color for touchup or graining.
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