What must be applied to repair holes and cracks in wood surfaces before sanding and priming?

• A. Putty, wood filler, or other appropriate patching compounds.
• B. Sandpaper, primer, sealer, paint.
• C. Liquid nails, caulk, epoxy, silicone.
• D. Glue, nails, screws, brads

Answer: (A)

Before sanding and priming, any holes or cracks in wood need to be filled so the surface is smooth and uniform. The material of choice for this is patching compound—putty, wood filler, or another appropriate product. These fillers dry hard, can be sanded flush, and accept primer and paint, giving a solid base for the finish. The size and type of defect guide which filler you use: small nail holes or shallow cracks respond well to putty or wood filler, while larger voids may need a stronger patching compound or epoxy. After the filling dries, you sand the surface smooth, then apply primer or sealer before painting. Using patching compounds is essential because simply applying sandpaper, primer, or paint first won’t fill the defects and will leave an uneven finish. Fasteners like glue or nails are for joining parts, not for filling holes, and caulk or silicone is not ideal for a stable, paint-ready wood surface.