Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Purchase a water-based wood putty that matches the color of your plywood and stain as closely as possible. If the plywood will be painted, then purchase a wood putty meant to be used with a paint finish.
2

Prepare the plywood to be repaired by wiping it clean of any dirt or dust with a tack cloth. The plywood should be thoroughly dry before you apply the wood putty.
3

Apply the wood putty into a dent or hole on a scrap piece of plywood to be sure the colors will match. Load the tip of the putty knife with wood putty, and apply it with firm, even pressure to the hole or damaged area. Allow the wood putty to dry, as its color will change as it dries. Testing the color this way is only necessary if you are finishing the project with stain. If you are using paint to finish the plywood, you can skip this step.
4

Load the tip of the putty knife with wood putty, and apply it into the hole or area you are repairing. Use firm, even pressure to get the putty to the bottom of the hole. Slightly overfill the hole so that the putty is above the surface of the plywood.
5

Wipe any excess wood putty off the edges of the hole with a damp towel. Allow the putty to dry thoroughly. Wood putty tends to lighten in color as it dries. Shallow holes will dry within a few hours, while deeper holes will require more drying time.
6

Sand the area you filled with wood putty until the spot is level with the surface of the plywood. Wipe the plywood clean with a tack cloth to remove all dust.