Jeff has the answer as usual then u can varnish over it if

I’d get the color match putty sticks from reliable in Elk Grove Illinois bought out by JCLicht and ask for cat it’s free

Gary

Thanks, I have some putty that is red mahogany but I think I want to try some sandable stainable product. The putty cannot be sanded or stained. Maybe I’m over thinking this.

Stainable wood fillers never take the stain like the wood does. At least I've never had any luck with those. The Feller always ends up being a different color after you stain it and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Thanks Jeff,

I’ll give this some thought.

The product from reliable can be stained

Gary

I’m going to stain it and see where we go from there. Thanks for the advice. I’ll post pictures of the next step.

Here’s the first coat of stain in the patched area. I’m using Minwax Red Mahogany stain.

Here’s a photo after a second coat of stain and rubbing it in. I’ll have to try some putty to even out the color. I thought about cutting out some more area and installing additional veneer but I think that would be a slippery slope and end up with just more of the poplar showing.

I think you sanded too far, notice the stain does the same thing at the snare bed.

Oh well you learn the hard way